Many pregnant women in Melbourne are aware of the benefits of acupuncture during pregnancy, such as preventing miscarriage, keeping mother and baby relaxed and calm along with treating mild side effects that may occur through this process.
I am always amazed at how aware mothers are today regarding the importance of preparing their body for birth.
When To Start Birth Preparation
Women who have found birth preparation acupuncture for pregnancy beneficial tell all their friends and family. Often a woman will book in with me at 36 weeks on the dot because she knows that this is a good time point to prepare for birth, because her best friend told her.
Pregnancy birth preparation acupuncture starts 5 weeks before the estimated due date (EDD i.e. 40 weeks), rather than trying to get things going at 41 weeks, though it can still efficiently support the process along.
Given birth is a transformational process, (yes, it’s an absolute miracle that baby is squeezed and born through vaginal canal) and there is always some form of trauma (the process) or loss (blood) involved, preparing the body with acupuncture treatment, with the knowledge of an experienced practitioner and the natural tools you can help yourself with may reduce your risk of birth intervention, a quicker more effective birth and increase your chances of better recovery.
Many highly reputable obstetricians and midwifes in Melbourne refer their patients to have pregnancy birth preparation acupuncture because they see the benefits between births that do and don’t have it.
Pregnancy birth preparation can reduce birth anxiety and worries, assist in baby getting into the right position, improve circulation for mother and baby, alleviate aches and pains, soften the cervix, encourage baby to engage and much more. Please share this with a lovely mother who is about to bring their baby into the world.
Pregnancy Induction Acupuncture Support
Along with Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture which greatly support a healthy delivery there are things you can consider to support and stimulate this miraculous process:-
- Acupuncture can relax the body to support the natural processes of pre- and active labour to begin. It is best started around weeks 35 to 36 gestation.
- Chinese Herbal Medicine supports your body for a better delivery. Dr Ilana will prescribe you a tailored formula to ensure that your body gets what it needs so it can be strong and healthy for the birthing process. There is a formula to prepare your body for birth and another to help induce the natural birth process.
- Sexual Intercourse is beneficial for relaxing and opening the body for birth. A man’s ejaculate contains prostaglandins which may stimulate the cervix to cause contractions. During intimacy, the chemical oxytocin is at an all time high which may support contractions.
- Orgasm supposedly may jump-start contractions. It certainly brings a lot of energy to the area and improves the microcirculation which is essential for good health.
- Exercise & Lifestyle – walking, pregnancy workouts, birthing ball or yoga. Relaxing and being stress-free, eating nourishing food and resting can all be beneficial too!
- Red Raspberry Leaf Tea – contains iron which supports healthy haemoglobin production. This transports oxygen throughout your body and to your baby. Supposedly the rich nutrients in this tea help soften the cervix for birth.
- Dates – from 36 weeks on it is recommended to eat 6 dates per day. The nutritional components of dates can support prostaglandins, uterine contractions and activate the uterus and bowel.
- Nipple Stimulation – a daily practice to stimulate colostrum and birth.
- Acupressure – this article has extensive information on the points and how to massage them.
- Hypnobirthing – many women praise the benefits of hypnosis and meditation to help ease themselves into trust and relaxation for this process. One of my favourite hypnobirthing meditations.
- Australian Bush Flowers Emergency Essence – take 7 drops as needed under the tongue or in water as needed before, during and after the birth process to alleviate panic, distress and fear. To bring about ability to cope, comfort, reassurance and courage. A beautiful and gentle medicine to take if you are feeling anxious about the birth as much as needed to help you calm down.
- Homeopathy – is an energetic medicine that is very safe and gentle and can give surprisingly effective results. Here are the remedies you can try according to your situation (available from you homeopath or Ivanhoe health food store):
- Caulophyllum 200c – used to assist in the cervix to dilate and prepare the body for birth. Take 2 pills under the tongue once a week for the last 6 weeks of pregnancy (week 34-40)
- Blue Cohosh (liquid herb)- take once contractions have begun. Place 20 drops into a big glass of water sip every half hour to an hour until no longer needed (don’t worry you will know when you won’t need it anymore)
- Arnica 200c – take 2 pills under the tongue 3 times per day for a week after the birth as this will help with reducing swelling and bruising.
- Pulsatilla 200c – if the baby becomes breech take 2 pills 3 times daily until the baby turns.
Post-Partum Care
Click here to see about Dr Ilana’s postpartum care recommendations. There are many good homeopathic medicines to help ease a lot of common conditions that mothers and babies experience in the first few years, I always recommend a homeopathic first aid kit on hand as many simple conditions such as fevers, runny noses, cough, teething can be successfully treated at home by parents and for anything challenging come and see me or your heath practitioner.
Pregnancy Acupuncture Melbourne
At Femme Vital Acupuncture in Fairfield Melbourne, expect the best Acupuncture and Chinese medicine service to support you from conception to birth.
Call Dr Ilana on 03 9005 6730 or for in Clinic Acupuncture or online Holistic Health coaching Book Online.
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