Editorial by Charlotte Youdle

Pregnancy editorial: Using Acupuncture during Pregnancy

One of the first questions often asked by expectant mothers is whether or not acupuncture is safe to have during pregnancy. In answer to this, research has found acupuncture to be a safe & effective treatment option during pregnancy¹. To make sure you will receive the best care, make sure your practitioner is a member of the British Acupuncture Council, to be assured that they have completed a high level of training & are insured to treat you. Some people worry that the needles will be painful; they shouldn’t. The needles are super fine; more like a pin than a needle & certainly nothing like the hypodermic needles that your midwife uses for taking blood. Most people find acupuncture treatment to be a relaxing & restful experience.

Great demands are being placed on the body hormonally & energetically during pregnancy – it’s hard work to nourish & grow a child for 9 months! No wonder that there can be so many unpleasant ‘side effects’ of pregnancy. Acupuncture can be used symptomatically throughout all 3 trimesters to deal with these problems. During the final weeks from week 35 onwards, Prebirth Acupuncture can be used to optimise the position of the baby & prepare the body for labour².

Charlotte Youdle MBAcC MRCHM

¹ Smith C, Crowther C, Beilby J (2002). Acupuncture to treat nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a randomised trial. Birth. 29(1):1-9 Liddell H, Pattison N, Zanderigo A. Recurrent Miscarriage – Outcome after supportive care in Early Pregnancy . American J Obstec Gynae (1991) 31:4:3210

² Betts D, Lennox S (2006) Acupuncture for Prebirth Treatment: An observational study of its use in Midwifery Practice. Medical Acupuncture. Vol 17 No 3

(Featured in the Chelmsford New Baby Guide 2009/10 for Mid essex Hospital Services, NHS Trust)

Return to News >