Pregnancy support is provided either online or in person. Acupuncture and acupressure use specific points on the body with the aim of balancing disharmony both physically and mentally and is used in Lee-Ana’s clinic for fertility, through pregnancy and postnatally after giving birth. Pregnancy acupuncture, acupressure and support is used clinically for a range of issues during pregnancy by Lee-Ana. Lee-Ana is always happy to work with your health practitioners and can offer another option for pregnant women that doesn't involve medication.

What the current evidence suggests

Acupuncture has been reported as safe during pregnancy when administered by well-trained practitioners (Clarkson et al., 2015; Ormsby et al., 2020; Park et al., 2014; Soliday & Betts, 2018) and has been found to have reduced miscarriage symptoms compared to touch intervention when used for threatened miscarriage in a NZ feasibility study (Betts et al., 2016).

Pregnancy acupuncture and pregnancy acupressure are often used by traditional acupuncturists for a range of symptoms. Most common issues treated by NZ & Australian traditional acupuncturists include morning sickness (nausea), low back or pelvic pain (LBPP), pre-birth and preparation for labour (C. A. Smith et al., 2014). Research with midwifery acuneedlers in NZ indicate acupuncture was thought useful for LBPP, sleep, anxiety, stress and other pain. Acupuncture was also widely use for birth preparation, assisted labour induction, nausea and vomiting, breech, headaches and migraines (Lowe & Betts, 2023). Lee-Ana also often treats fatigue, exhaustion, those that feel overwhelmed and heartburn during pregnancy. Postnatally Lee-Ana has used acupuncture and or acupressure for the let down reflex and lactation, mastitis, fatigue and mental health well being. One recent review found evidence for acupuncture use for lactation within 24 and 72 hours after delivery (Lu et al., 2022).

Prebirth acupuncture and acupressure are used clinically with the intention to prepare the body for labour in the third trimester. Smith et al (2020) reported in a Cochrane review on acupuncture and acupressure for pain management during labour, that acupuncture vs sham and acupressure vs control and usual care, may reduce pain during labour. Acupuncture may also reduce the need for pain medication and acupressure might reduce the need for C-Sections. More research is need comparing acupuncture and acupressure to usual care with better quality sham/controls as well as better reporting of outcomes (Smith et al., 2020). A UK NHS analysis found prebirth acupuncture in the third trimester normalised birth. This included less surgical intervention and pain relief during labour, less intervention for induction and reduced hospital stay (Lokugamage et al., 2020). Acupressure has also been found to be effective along with other complementary therapies in reducing C-sections and medical intervention (Levett et al., 2016). Cochrane reviews have found acupuncture may help with LBPP between 20-26 weeks (Liddle & Pennick, 2015) and prebirth acupuncture may help with cervix dilation (Smith et al., 2017).

Post natal acupuncture and acupressure is used clinically by Lee-Ana for birth recovery, lactation problems, mastitis, fatigue & anaemia, sleep issues, mental health, urinary incontinence and more.

Breech

A recent Cochrane review looked at 6 trials (2181 participants) that focused on moxibustion for breech (Coyle et al., 2023). Evidence from this review suggests that moxibustion plus usual care probably reduces chance of non-cephalic presentation at birth. One study also showed significant reduced need for synthetic oxytocin before or during labour.
A recent delphi study of midwives and obstetricians has also found a 70% consensus that moxa, acupuncture & acupressure should be discussed with pregnant women as an alternative to cephalic version techniques (Morris et al., 2024).