Anita Shelton
Pregnancy
As one of the facilitators of The 4th Trimester, a drop in postpartum support group, I know what new moms are dealing with in their physical recovery. That puts me in a great position to practice preventive care for pregnant women. Many, many mothers have difficulty with lactation. Getting acupuncture during your pregnancy can clear breast lumps, strengthen your immune system, and promote the development of healthy breast tissue. This minimizes the likelihood that you will develop mastitis and clogged ducts, and optimizes your milk.
For women who are having a smooth pregnancy, getting one acupuncture treatment per trimester optimizes healthy development of baby. I also recommend acupuncture beginning at 36 weeks gestation for every woman, to prepare the body for labor and delivery (see the section below on Labor Preparation).
For the majority of women who experience discomfort during pregnancy, acupuncture has much to offer. Acupuncture is a safe, effective treatment for:
Nausea
Hyperemesis
Urinary tract infection
Headache
Back, neck and ligament pain
Placenta previa
Uterine or bladder prolapse
Threatened miscarriage
Intrauterine Growth Retardation (IUGR)
Breast pain
Low development of breast tissue
Anxiety, depression and Irritability
Low platelets
Anemia
High Blood Pressure
Preeclampsia
Gestational Diabetes
Fatigue
Tinnitus