Pregnancy and related changes
Pregnancy is a one-of-a-kind and life-changing phenomenon. For eight to nine months, a great variety of hormonal, physical and emotional, changes happen in the body. In addition, the body must adjust to holding up to a baby of almost 20 pounds, fluids, and placenta near the conclusion of the pregnancy, putting physical strain on all organs and tissues.
During pregnancy, three extremely essential stages affect the health of the mother, such as
- Discomfort due to physical changes during pregnancy
- The labor pain
- Post-birth recovery of the mother’s body
Acupuncture
Many problems can influence a pregnant woman’s health, and the proper growth and birth of the child, throughout pregnancy. Reservations regarding medication usage during pregnancy have contributed to a rise in non-pharmacological therapy. Acupuncture is becoming more popular among pregnant mothers.
Acupuncture is included in the list of Accident Compensation Corporation’s allied health therapy techniques (ACC). Professionals like osteopaths, physiotherapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and acupuncturists are among the third largest groups in the health and disability workforce of New Zealand (with medical and nursing professions). ACC now sponsors two types of therapeutic modalities within acupuncture treatments: conventional therapies and adjunct therapies. ACC does not cover herbal plasters, liniments, herbalism, nutritional supplements, and ion-pumping cables.
Methods of Acupuncture
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western biomedical acupuncture are two main methods of acupuncture that are well-known in the literature. TCM is based on many principles such as yin and yang balance, qi theory, five element theory, meridian theory, and traditional Oriental medicine diagnostic procedures. TCM is used in conventional acupuncture training, but it also involves Western medical research and biological evaluation to aid in the establishment of a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Since 1990, acupuncturists have been approved under the ACC’s cost of treatment standards. An acupuncturist is defined as an individual who is a) a full member of the New New Zealand Register of Acupuncturists Incorporated (NZRA), presently famous with the name of Acupuncture NZ (AcNZ), or the New Zealand Acupuncture Standards Authority Inc (NZASA), and b) holds a current practicing certificate under the Accident Compensation Act (AC Act).
Acupuncture and Pregnancy
Acupuncture in pregnancy has been shown to aid in the relaxation and softening of the cervix, which may assist in the promotion and efficiency of labor. According to research, women who underwent acupuncture before giving birth had labors that were 1.5 hours shorter on average.
Pregnancy acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins. Endorphins are built up during pre-labor acupuncture treatments and are ready to be used when labor begins, which is considered to minimize the extreme pain of labor.
During pregnancy, the more acupuncture women get, the more ‘fit’ and effective your glands will become in producing endorphins, assisting women in having more powerful labor. Endorphins also relieve stress and promote happiness and well-being, which benefits both the mother and the baby. So acupuncture during pregnancy has several benefits. Midwives have already found that women who undergo pre-labor acupuncture had a lower likelihood of intervention.
Pregnancy Acupuncture is a harmless, drug-free treatment that has been used for [years to assist and maintain a variety of pregnancy-related issues. Symptoms include nausea, indigestion, weariness, exhaustion, lowering swelling, alleviating pelvic discomfort, turning breech newborns, and induction/promotion of labor. In addition, certain acupressure spots may be utilized to help and assist the birthing process throughout labor.
References
- https://denisecallaghan.co.uk/pregnancy-and-childbirth/
- https://www.acc.co.nz/assets/research/dc1104f788/aerg-consensus-acupuncture-musculoskeletal-conditions.pdf
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4112450/
- https://maxwellclinic.co.nz/fertility-pregnancy/acupuncture-and-pregnancy/
