This blog is dedicated to sharing information for pregnant women and health practitioners about the usefulness of acupuncture in pregnancy, labour, and postpartum.
This blog has been created by Dawn Aarons, an acupuncturist and teacher, based in Toronto, Canada. You are welcome to contact Dawn by email at dawn@dawnaarons.com or visit her website at www.dawnaarons.com
It was my pleasure to treat Sarah twice late in her pregnancy. She went into labour the day after her 2nd treatment. It was bound to happen some time soon. As I explained to Sarah, an acupuncture “induction” treatment is just an invitation. We have no real control over the mystery of labour. Even so, treatments are also helpful to prepare and relax the mother. Sarah wrote me this update on her positive experience.
Our baby, named Vita Pope Cullen, was born on November 13th (9lbs1oz!). I ended up going into labour on my own on Saturday the 12th and arrived at the hospital one hour before my induction was scheduled! Amazing. The combination of things I did in the preceding days made a huge difference and really got things moving. I got to 7 cms on my own while walking the halls. Things weren’t progressing so I ended up having an epidural and oxytocin and slept for 5 hours. When I woke up I was fully dilated. They turned off the epidural so that I could feel the contractions and I pushed her out in about 30 minutes. No tearing. Easy! Thanks for fitting me in at the last minute!
Congratulations Sarah and family!
THE #1 SECRET TO LOSING BABY WEIGHT POST-PARTUM IS SLEEP
By Shauna Darou, ND (www.annapurnanaturopathic.com)
I’ve always said to mothers post-partum that the #1 secret to losing the baby weight is SLEEP. Below is the scientific proof. If you’re a new mom – make this a priority by going to bed earlier and napping during the day if possible. Without enough sleep your hormones are out of balance, as is your appetite. When you are sleep deprived four things happen:
Sleep is essential for hormone balance, mood and metabolism. If you need support to help you sleep better, please contact the clinic for more detailed suggestions. The bottom line for weight loss though is to prioritize sleep over other commitments – your metabolism will benefit!
When I do not get enough sleep I am sensitive and emotionally reactive.
The connection between sleep deprivation and post-partum mental illness was the theme of a presentation by Dr. Eileen Sloan, Staff Psychiatrist and Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto) this morning.
Dr. Sloan works at the Perinatal Mental Health Clinic where she sees women who are suffering from emotional problems during pregnancy or after childbirth. Her research has found that there is a definate link between sleep deprivation and post-partum mental illness.
This is known through experience by many women who suffer from exhaustion and depression postpartum. It is also a surprisingly common theme in my work as an acupuncturist.
From a Chinese Medicine perspective, insomnia is often related to “Blood Deficiency” (see other articles on insomnia in this site for more discussion on the causes of “Blood Deficiency”). It is also unfortunately common that new mom’s lack sufficient support to allow them to rest immediately postpartum. As adherents of our “go, go” culture, women often feel inclined to get up and get busy quickly. This does not allow their bodies time to recuperate. Nursing women also need extra nutrition and rest time.
The most difficult part for many women is not being able to sleep even after creating conducive conditions. This may be due to racing thoughts or a fidgety body – or both! In these cases, I recommend an acupuncture housecall. The focus of the treatment is on supporting the body to relax and increase blood production which then allows the woman to unwind and sleep. Most women are able to think clearer and feel calmer once their sleep is restored.
“Man who says it can’t be done should not interrupt woman doing it”
-Chinese Proverb
“Dawn works magic with those needles. She helped my body feel great during my pregnancy and helped my son become a happy baby with the happy baby point. She is obviously a gentle, beautiful soul if you meet her. Receiving healing treatments from her is not to be missed. She handles pretty much any pregnancy problem and makes you feel comfortable to be open and relax.”
-Lauren Larsen, September 2011
