Triangle Birth Network
Empowering families. Improving birth.

Childbirth Choices :: Complementary Care

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine | CranioSacral Therapy | Chiropractic | Therapeutic Massage


Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine have been used in China and other Asian countries for over 2500 years.  Lately, they have also found a home in Western cultures, as Western science peers into their effects and benefits.  As more women seek drug-free treatment for the conditions of pregnancy, they find that acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine can serve their needs.

How is acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine used in pregnancy and birth?

The World Health Organization recognizes that acupuncture is beneficial for many medical conditions.  During the childbearing year, acupuncture has been shown to be beneficial for:

•  Reducing hyperemesis - severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy 1
•  Turning breech babies into a head-down position (70%-94% success rate) 2
•  Reducing pregnancy-related pelvic and low-back pain 3
•  Reducing pain during labor (85% of laboring women in acupuncture group would use it again) 4

In addition, there are studies being conducted around the country which show promising results regarding the use of acupuncture to induce the onset of labor by the estimated due date in order to reduce the need for medical inductions for postdates. 

(One such study is currently underway at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill.  If you choose to participate in this study, you would have an equal chance of being assigned to receive either 5 free acupuncture treatments, 5 free “placebo” acupuncture treatments, or no acupuncture.  To be enrolled in this study, call Aimee Reilly at 919-843-4765 or email her at aimee_reilly@med.unc.edu at least four weeks before your due date.)

One example of the many beneficial uses of traditional Chinese medicine during the childbearing year is in the treatment of pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.  The use of ginger has been validated in the significant reduction of hyperemesis (pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting) 5.  A licensed practitioner can determine which remedy and in which form and dose is appropriate for each individual. 

How does it work?

Acupuncture is based on the concept of balanced Qi (pronounced 'chee') or vital energy that flows throughout the body via pathways that are accessed by puncturing the skin with hair-thin needles at particular locations called acupuncture points.  There is no medicine in the sterile, disposable needles used in acupuncture; they are used simply for stimulation.

What can I expect if I see an acupuncturist?

A full health history will be taken and a physical exam given prior to your first treatment with acupuncture. This helps the practitioner tailor the sessions to suit your specific needs.  The frequency of treatment varies depending on the symptoms of the patient and their health goals. Some conditions, such as nausea, may require weekly treatments for the best results where as back pain may be resolved in a single visit.   Acupuncture needles are very thin; treatment is virtually painless.  Even those with strong aversions to normal injections find acupuncture to be surprisingly comfortable.  After insertion of one or more needles a client is often allowed to relax to soothing music for around 20 minutes, after which the needles are removed.

What are other things I should consider?

There are certain points that, if stimulated, can increase uterine contractions and activity.  You and your practitioner should take care to avoid those points during your pregnancy.  And, while acupuncture can treat the symptoms of edema and elevated blood pressure, it is important to realize that the root cause of these symptoms may be deeper complications.  Acupuncture should always take place concurrent with adequate medical care.

As with any medical procedure, acupuncture is not without possible complications.  While the thin needles are designed to provide virtually painless treatment, an incorrectly inserted needle can cause pain.  Also, individual pain tolerances vary greatly, so what may be virtually painless to some will not be so for all.  Bleeding and bruising at the site of the needle insertion has been known to occur, and particularly anxious patients have fainted during treatment.  Other recorded complications include drops in blood pressure or blood sugar levels during treatment, and, very rarely, nerve, artery and vein damage. Such complications are rare, but in order to make an informed choice, you should be aware of the possible side effects of any medical procedure you undergo.  

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners include Licensed Acupuncturists, Herbologists, and Oriental Medical doctors. In the state of NC, the credentials for becoming licensed require graduation from a four- year post-graduate academic institution teaching Chinese medicine. Practitioners must also receive a passing grade on five national board exams in acupuncture, herbology, and Western biomedicine administered by the National Certification Commission in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). To maintain their licenses, practitioners must complete 25 hours of continuing education in their field every year.  Some insurance policies cover portions of treatment.  Check with your insurance company to verify your coverage.

Several local practitioners of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine are members of the Triangle Birth Network and have endorsed the Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative.  For a list of these members and their contact information, go to the complementary care section of the TBN Members list.

References:

1. Carlsson, MD, Axemo, MD, Bodin, RN, Cartensen, MD, et. al.  Manual Acupuncture Reduces Hyperemesis Gravidarum, A Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Single-Blind, Crossover Study.  Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, Volume 20 (Nov 1999), Issue 4, Pages 273-279

2. Habek D, Cerkez Habek J, Jagust M. Acupuncture conversion of fetal breech presentation. Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy, November-December 2003;18(6):418-21

Yoichi Kanakura, Kunio Kometani, Tetsurou Nagata, Kuniaki Niwa, Hiroshi Kamatsuki, Yasutaka Shinzato, Yasumoto Tokunaga.  Moxibustion Treatment of Breech Presentation.  American Journal of Chinese Medicine, Wntr, 2001

Cardini, F., & Wiexin, H. Moxibustion for correction of breech presentation. The Journal of the American Medical Association, (1998) 280 (18), 1580-1584

3. Kvorning N, Holmberg C, Grennert L, et al.  Acupuncture relieves pelvic and low-back pain in late pregnancy.  Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica.  March 2004; 83(3):246-50.

4. Nesheim, B I, Kinge, R, Berg, B, et al.  Acupuncture during labor can reduce the use of meperidine (Demerol): a controlled clinical study.  The Clinical Journal of Pain (2003;19:187–91)

5. Vutyavanich T, Kraisarin T, Ruangsri R. Ginger for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial. Obstetrics & Gynecology 97(4):577-82.