Um, Can You Use a Vibrator While Pregnant?
Many medicines arent safe in pregnancy (especially in the first trimester).
Or even if they are, you might still want to play it cautious.
So, what options do you have to handle all these sucky side effects of pregnancy?
Acupuncturea healing treatment based in Traditional Chinese Medicinemight be the answer to your most common prenatal complaints.
Is acupuncture safe during pregnancy?
board-certified OB/GYN
The most common complaints include pain, bleeding, bruising, or redness at the needling site.
Its even okay to get acupuncture in the early days of pregnancy.
Many people worry about getting acupuncture during the first trimester, Wallmeyer says.
We totally get it: The first 13 weeks are a delicate time.
Of course, the decision is a personal one.
Meaning: It should never replace treatments recommended by your doctor or care team for serious medical conditions.
Who should avoid acupuncture during pregnancy?
Are there forbidden points?
Perinatal acupuncturists generally avoid certain points in pregnant people.
board-certified OB/GYN
Wallmeyer agrees: The current research shows that stimulating these points doesnt result in an increase in premature labor.
Still, she says more studies are needed to confirm this.
In the meantime, your acupuncturist may steer clear of these areas to be cautious.
And dont panic if they touch or massagearoundthese points.
Possible benefits of acupuncture during pregnancy
1.
But you dont have to grin and bear it when youre green.
For example, a burning feeling in the throat would be a symptom of heat rising upwards.
Once again, your acupuncturist would choose points to help rebalance your system.
Many people see some improvementless nausea and vomitingin just a few sessions, Wallmeyer says.
The science is starting to support the benefits ofacupuncture for nauseain pregnancy too.
And nothing including acupunctureis a panacea for all your pregnancy digestive discomfort (bummer, we know).
May help ease insomnia
No one knows the struggle of sleep deprivation quite like a pregnant person.
Another common thing that can triggerinsomnia during pregnancyis anxiety, Wallmeyer says.
And when you lie down, and everything is quiet, theres no distraction from thoseracing thoughts at night.
This is where acupuncture can be particularly helpful.
The research supports acupunctures benefits for sleep during pregnancy.
A small May 2020 study inNature and Science of Sleepconcluded that acupuncture significantly improved sleep quality in pregnant people.
Anecdotally, Wallmeyers patients often report that acupuncture helps them feel a deeper connection between their mind and body.
In addition to needling, your acupuncturist has other tools in their bag to help you hit the hay.
Could help with anxiety and depression
Pregnancy can be hard.
With all the physical, emotional, and hormonal changes, your mental health can take a hit.
While were still not totally sure why it has this positive effect, there are some theories.
This rush of endorphins modulates the bodys stress response and influences heart rate variability, she says.
Sadly, aches and pains are par for the pregnancy course.
But that doesnt mean you have to suffer through without any relief.
And it can help withachy hipsas well.
Its normally easiest to have a pregnant person lie on their side for an acupuncture treatment, Wallmeyer says.
Could help with headaches
Okay, nausea and back pain are one thing, but headaches too?
Yep, pregnancy headaches are a thing.
And headaches can be pretty debilitating, especially if youre trying to avoid taking medicine like OTC pain-relievers.
In my experience, acupuncture can help quite a bit [with headaches], says Wallmeyer.
Wallmeyer admits the data is still limited, but a few studies show promise.
Theres also a June 2016Cochrane Review, which found that acupuncture can help prevent episodic migraines.
But the researchers only looked at studies involvingnonpregnantpeople.
We first need to rule out preeclampsia or other conditions, Wallmeyer says.
In other words, its incredibly common.
But its also potentially dangerous for the birthing person and their baby.
But one December 2019 case study inMedical Acupunctureshows a lot of potential.
Could help with heartburn
At one point or another, most pregnant people feel theburn.
Heartburn happens when acid and gastric juices from your stomach flow up into your esophagus.
Therefore, we utilize points with the goal of clearing heat and down-bearing the stomachs qi (movement).
But acupuncture treatment for heartburn isnt a one-size-fits-all.
May ease rhinitis
Congestion, sneezing, postnasal drip, and runny nose.
Once again, those pesky hormones are to blame.
So is the increase in blood volume and fluids your body makes while pregnant.
These can make the blood vessels in your nasal passages swell.
The relief is usually short-lived.
Even after your little one has arrived, you might still need,well, a little needling.
Acupuncture can be used for a variety of reasons during the postpartum period, Wallmeyer says.
Here are just a few:
Again, acupuncture shouldneverbe a substitute for proper medical or psychiatric care.
Can acupuncture be used to induce labor?
Acupuncture can also make you feel more relaxed, comfortable, and well-rested.
All important things going into labor.
You also dont need to wait until 39 weeks for labor preparation acupuncture.
Wallmeyer recommends starting around week 36 or 37.
If your baby doesnt turn before labor, they might have difficulty coming out the birth canal.
Meaning, you could have the option of a vaginal birth.
(Like this license verification site forNew York State.)
Keep in mind: General acupuncturists arent typically trained to work with pregnant folks, which requires additional education.
So where can you find perinatal practitioners?
you could also ask you ob-gyn or midwife if they have any referrals, Wallmeyer adds.
Just take a few, simple precautions if you do.
Firstly, dont lie on your back when youre receiving acupuncture treatment, Dr. Tanouye says.
Its safer to lie on your left side, she says.
Secondly, and most importantly, pay attention to fetal movements and your body, Dr. Tanouye says.
If there is any worrisome pain, decreased fetal movement, or other symptoms, stop doing acupuncture.
Yang J, Wang Y, Xu J, et al.
Acupuncture for low back and/or pelvic pain during pregnancy: a systematic review andmeta- analysis of randomised controlled trials.
BMJ Open2022;12:e056878.
2002 Jun;10(2):78-83. doi: 10.1054/ctim.2002.0523.
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