Acupuncture and Pregnancy» acupuncture

Breastfeeding support with Acupuncture

Dawn Aarons — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:47:33 +0000

I congratulated Michelle when she sat down in my office this afternoon. She was elated. 5 weeks old, her baby had gained 10 oz since her weigh in a week before. And this was the week she had cut back from supplementing her breastmilk by 50%.

Michelle wanted to breastfeed her baby but had begun supplementation due to concerns that she was not supplying sufficient breastmilk. Her baby was fussing and her weight gain was below the expected weight gain of 6 oz per week. Using a feeding tube, Michelle found the combination was a relief in terms of satisfying her daughter, but it was cumbersome and stressful. She hoped to be able to produce enough milk to satisfy her baby’s needs. She felt exhausted and guilty and wondered if something was wrong with her.

This is a common scenario postpartum. For a variety of reasons, many women have difficulties with breastfeeding. Luckily there are supports for such women (see www.lllc.ca for information about a La Leche League in your neighbourhood or ask your primary care provider about lactation consultants and breastfeeding clinics); however, even with the supports in place, breastfeeding difficulties are truly challenging.

I was pleased for Michelle, but I was not congratulating her on the weight gain alone. I was excited to watch her trusting her instincts and taking appropriate action. Michelle had recently decided to feed her baby every three hours throughout the night. She had been encouraged to follow a feeding on demand model, but in her particular case she felt that it made sense to wake her baby to feed at night since her breasts felt full at night, an experience she did not enjoy much during the day. Michelle decided to offer her daughter the breast (without feeding tube) every three hours through the night. The baby nursed happily and fell back asleep most of the time. Within a few days she was waking just before the 3 hour mark looking for the breast.

Michelle was already turning the corner when she came in for an acupuncture treatment. My focus was to support her digestive system and milk production. I also strongly encouraged her to sleep more – in fact, to sleep whenever she could. Michelle was very dehydrated during her labour and lost a considerable amount of blood. She has a lot of rejuvenating to do.

Michelle is thrilled that her baby is gaining weight. Michelle has also gained trust and confidence in her intuition and her body.

In Michelle’s words, “The acupuncture was magical. I came home from treatment and I turned a corner. It just seemd to work. I feel more confident and less deficient. I’m feeling engorged for the first time.”

Sometimes Post-Dates is right on time!

Dawn Aarons — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:27:48 +0000

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!

Insomnia and Depression

Dawn Aarons — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:10:19 +0000

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.

Testimonial-gentle, soothing, relaxing, and informative.

Dawn Aarons — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 11:44:12 +0000

I thankfully share this testimonial from Heather.

“Dawn saw me for a prenatal ‘labour prep’ course of treatment in 2009 (I gave birth to our son at home after a wonderful labour the day before our last treatment scheduled treatment!).

I really liked her approach –gentle, soothing, relaxing, and informative. Although I came to her to prepare my body for labour, her treatments were also a chance for some peace and relaxation that I looked forward to each week.

Thank you for contributing to our positive birth experience!”

Newborn baby Viviane

Dawn Aarons — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 01:08:56 +0000

It was a honour to assist Viviane’s mother at her birth. Her mom especially liked the pain relieving support from auricular acupuncture (pressure on the “shenmen” spot on her ear during contractions). Acupuncture is used to support women in labour, for progress, to help turn babies and for pain relief. For more information, contact Dawn or your local acupuncturist.

Emails of Success- Posterior and VBAC

Dawn Aarons — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 19:39:16 +0000

The following emails between myself and a patient illustrate how acupuncture supports positive pregnancy and labour outcomes. She has given me permission to publish these emails, though I do not include her name to respect her privacy.

Hi Dawn,
I got your info from (a friend) who used your services recently. I am pregnant, due on Oct 18, and have just found out the baby is in a posterior position. I am very uncomfortable now and would like to do whatever I can to turn the baby around. I am also trying for a vbac this time as I had to be induced my last pregnancy because I was 10 days late. I need to go into labor naturally this time around and would also like help with this if possible? Please let me know if you think you could help me and how soon I could make an appointment with you.

From: Dawn Aarons
Sent: Oct 4, 2010 10:22 PM
Thanks for your enquiry. Of course there are no guarantees, but I do think acupuncture can help you and that it is definitely worth trying. I would recommend 2 treatments a week until the baby turns and you feel more comfortable or go into labour (whatever comes first). I have lots of experience with labour preparation and encouraging labour. Most people come to my office (near Bloor/Bathurst). I also offer housecalls. ($90 in office and $135 outcalls). Most extended healthcare plans cover acupuncture. It would be best to start asap. I have 2:30pm tomorrow open. 4:30pm on wed, 9am thurs, and 3 or 4pm on Friday. Do 1 or 2 of those times work?
I hope to meet you soon.
Best,
Dawn

Hi Dawn,
I just came from my dr appt and wanted to let you know that the baby has flipped around! It is now very low and in the right position. Just wanted to let you know as I think the acupuncture was a big help with that.
I’ll see you on Friday unless the baby comes before then!
Thanks again!

—–Original Message—–
From: Dawn Aarons
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:21:36

What great news. Congratulations.
Dawn

Hi Dawn,
Just wanted to let you know that I had the baby last night 7lbs, 13oz. Everything went really well and fast and I only had to push for 11 mins! Am happy that the vbac was successful and looks like we’ll be going home tomorrow. Thanks again for everything!

Happy Baby Point

Dawn Aarons — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:38:13 +0000

Jen L. sent this photo to me with the message, “Use this to promote your “happy baby” pressure point if you like!” Jen received acupuncture in pregnancy, including the happy baby point. She is not the only happy mother who has said to me, “the point must have worked”. Of course, there are multiple conditions that come together to make a baby happy – I don’t think the point is the magic – but it seems to help (and sure doesn’t hurt). Ask your acupuncturist about the Happy Baby Point (Kidney 9). Chinese medicine classics promise that if you needle the happy baby point in pregnancy, the woman will have a happy baby that sleeps through the night.

Labour Support with Auricular Acupuncture

Dawn Aarons — Mon, 31 May 2010 18:18:22 +0000

The entire body is mapped onto the ear.

“Thank you for your listening ear” a patient just said as she was leaving her appointment. So often, a great part of the therapeutic work I do involves listening.
And then there is the LABOURING EAR. The most effective point I have found in my practice for labour support and pain relief is on the ear. Known as auricular acupuncture, the entire body is mapped onto the ear and stimulating the ear can treat conditions all over the body.
In the case of labour, I have been told by patients that stimulation of a point on the ear cuts their labour pains in half. I have attended numberous births at which I set up a tiny needle in both the women’s ears. The needles are covered with adhesive tape (much like a bandaid). During contractions, one ear is pressed, with thumb on the needle, and counterpressure with the index finger on the back on the ear at the same level. Sometimes I stay for the labour. More often I teach the woman’s partner how to apply the pressure. I also have one patient that preferred pressing the point by herself.
On a couple occasions I have wondered if this pressure is making a significant difference and have decided to try a contraction without pressing. In both cases, the labouring women have called out, “ear, ear”. They did not want to withstand any contractions without this support.
This auricular stimulation does not interfere with the woman’s mobility or positioning and needles are easy to remove if they are not wanted.

In my experience, auricular acupuncture is a low cost, non-evasive, and miraculously effective support for labour.

Acupuncture during Pregnancy

Dawn Aarons — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:56:03 +0000

People often are surprised that I use acupuncture to assist pregnant women. They ask me, “What can acupuncture do?”
Acupuncture gives information to the body that helps the body to balance itself. In Chinese Medicine theory, symptoms are a sign of imbalance. When the imbalance is addressed, the symptoms disappear.
The childbearing year is an exciting time full of changes. “Balance” during pregnancy and post-partum is always relative, adaptive and constantly shifting. Acupuncture successfully relieves discomforts and stress.
In pregnancy, the most common reasons that women come for a treatment include nausea and vomiting (NVP) commonly referred to as morning sickness, aches and pains – especially repetitive strain disorders such as carpel tunnel and tennis elbow, and pains related to weight bearing adjustments, such as back, hip and pelvic pains. Sciatica is a common concern. Women also come with digestive concerns, heartburn and constipation. Often women feel exhausted and are looking for energy and a place to discuss their fears, anxieties and insecurities. Many women find that they sleep better after acupuncture. In some cases, women are referred for acupuncture to lower high blood pressure and avoid pre-eclampsia. I have also successfully treated women with pregnancy related skin conditions. In late pregnancy, acupuncture and moxibustion can help encourage the fetus turn from a breech position, and is also used to encourage labour to start post dates.
Research supports the use of acupuncture for labour preparation (also called “cervical ripening”). This is usually performed as a series of 4 weekly treatments beginning at 37 weeks gestation.
Most women find acupuncture in pregnancy to be a very positive experience. Once the needles are in place, many women experience a deep sense of relaxation and often nap.
The uses of acupuncture in pregnancy are varied, just as women’s experience of pregnancy often is.