Pregnancy and Acupuncture

Shan Wellness is the first and only wellness center in Western Alberta offering advanced prenatal care.  Our Doctor of Chinese Medicine has been specializing in pregnancy care since 2005, and recently completed a four year certification program in Advanced Pre and Post Natal Care.  When prescribed by practitioners trained in advanced care Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine are safe for both the mother to be and the baby.  In fact, they can be extremely beneficial in relieving women of common symptomatic complaints during pregnancy, as well as after delivery.  

Gestational Conditions commonly treated with Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Include:

• Ectopic Pregnancy
• Threatened Miscarriage
• Molar Pregnancy
• Missed Miscarriage
• Habitual Miscarriage
• Incompetant Cervix
• Fetal Growth Disorders
• Nausea & Vomiting
• Abdominal Pain
• Edema
• Excess Amniotic Fluid
• Lower Limb Cramping & Pain
• Lower Limb Varicose Veins
• Skin Eruptions
• Colds & Flus

• Cough
• Hoarseness
• Diarrhea
• Dysentery
• Bloody Stools
• Constipation
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Urinary Retention
• Urinary Leakage
• Emotional Imbalance
• Heart Palpitations
• Gestational Diabetes
• Placenta Previa
• Breech Presentation
• Retained Placenta

Chinese Medicine Embryology Treatments During Pregnancy
Every four weeks a new meridian system is developing in the baby's body.  Acupuncture can positively influence this time by doing one treatment every four weeks on the mother.  Research shows that these treatments have a positive effect on the baby as it grows and develops.  "Acupuncture babies" are said to be extremely alert at a very young age, have healthy bright complexions, strong immune systems, less chance of colicky behavior, and reach their milestones with flying colors!  

Labor Preparation
Labor Preparation treatments consist of a series of weekly acupuncture treatments beginning at 37 weeks until the commencement of labor.  These treatments prepare a woman for a harmonious birth, a positive experience, and an increased success of achieving a natural intervention free birth.  By balancing hormones, calming the sympathetic nervous system and increasing energy and blood flow to the reproductive organs these treatments are beneficial to ripen the cervix, help pain management, calm the mind, and keep energy strong for the journey of labor.  
Labor Preparation also ensures the baby is in optimum cephalic (head down) position and helps women preparing for a vaginal delivery after cessarian achieve her goals of a v-bac delivery.  We strongly encourage all pregnant women to have labor preparation, even if they haven't had routine pregnancy treatments.  

Birth Coach Sessions
The focus of this session is to teach the pregnancy coach (in our practice this is usually the dad to be) Acupressure for Labor.  Acupressure is very powerful at helping a woman in labor focus her mind, calm her mind, and drastically control her pain during contractions.  This session is done anytime starting at 37 weeks, and also includes one acupuncture preparation corresponding to the stage of pregnancy.  Also during this session we will discuss things to do at home starting at 37 weeks, diet and nutrition advice as the body prepares for labor, things to do in early labor at home, and things to do at the hospital; all with the focus of creating a harmonious birth experience.  

Post Natal Care
It takes 10 months (40 weeks) to grow and nurture a baby; it should take at least that for a woman to feel back to her "pre-pregnant" self.  Unfortunately in the west woman often feel pressured to loose weight and feel back to normal.  With hormone fluctuations, sleeplessness, and learning how to manage a new born it is no wonder why women (particularly first time mothers) can struggle during this phase.  At Shan Wellness we understand this confusing and beautiful time, and are dedicated to making your journey of mother hood a pleasant, healthy, and strong one.  

Post Natal Conditions Commonly Treated with Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine: