Treatment can help … Acupuncture in pregnancy
Acupuncture is a safe form of treatment while you are pregnant. It works naturally and harmoniously with your body, relieving those common but often unpleasant side-effects and leaving you freer to enjoy your pregnancy.In the early weeks you may be troubled by nausea and vomiting. This will probably pass by the second trimester, but while it lasts it can be very debilitating and interfere with your daily life. Acupuncture is particularly effective at alleviating this and a short course of treatment can make a huge difference.
In the later months you may suffer from heartburn, migraine, headaches, raised blood pressure, oedema, carpal tunnel syndrome and leg cramps.
Towards the end of pregnancy, acupuncture is a powerful tool and can work in ways you may not have considered. If your baby is breech, applying a herb to acupoints on the bladder meridian (on your foot), which are linked to your uterus, can turn your baby into the head-down position.
Similarly, a full-term baby stubbornly refusing to be born can be encouraged with acupuncture. Most women want to go into labour naturally, but sometimes it is necessary to induce labour to protect mother and baby. Acupuncture can induce labour safely and avoid the need for a drug-based intervention.
What else can help?
Richard also recommends both an Alexander Technique teacher Tanya Shoop and Yoga teacher Vicky Oliver as a real aid to your pregnancy:The Alexander Technique is a marvellous ante-natal preparation. Not only can a woman explore how she can use her changing body well during pregnancy but she can also have time to prepare for labour. We particularly look at how to release tension, some of which may have been there for a long time, and some of which is directly related to the pregnancy. www.freeyourneck.co.uk
Vicky Oliver is a very experienced and well-respected teacher who specialises in pre-natal yoga. In addition to her regular classes she also offers one-to-one lessons. www.whyoga.com
What Richard's patients say
"I had heard that acupuncture could turn my baby..needless to say I was very sceptical when Richard started heating my little toes! However it worked and at my next hospital visit I was told all was well." Laura"Morning sickness had become a real problem for me, anything and everything made me nauseous to the point that I could not even face the smell of certain foods. Richard had already treated me before my pregnancy so he was my first port of call. I needed two treatments in one week after which it settled down to the point at which I could eat more or less normally!" Karen
"Happy that baby is healthy and contented! Just wanted to say a huge thank you for all your hard work on helping create the perfect environment for baby and bringing him to full term...I sincerely don't believe it would have happened without the acupuncture!!" Lui
"I came to see you to get my birth kicked off and told you I'd let you know if it worked. Well I went into labour exactly 24 hours after seeing you, so didn't need to be induced." Shanna
