Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Services during Pregnancy and Labour

Birth is an experience that can transform you. The majority of the time every single step in the creation of your baby proceeds perfectly. Blending the mother and father's genes, placental exchange of nutrients, hormonal responses that start labour (labor), the release of endorphins... Everything happens in exactly the right way at exactly the right time. It is miraculous!

"There is power that comes to women when they give birth. They don't ask for it, it simply invades them. Accumulates like clouds on the horizon and passes through, carrying the child with it."
-Sheryl Feldman

Having the experience you want is dependent upon education and having the support structure to assist you. Acupuncture and TCM can provide physical and emotional support to a woman during labour (labor), birth and the immediate postpartum period. The effects of support are: labour (labor)s are shorter, there are fewer complications, caesarean rates are reduced, there is less need for oxytocin to speed up labour (labor), and women request less pain medications and epidurals. As a result there is greater satisfaction with the mother's birth experience. Acupuncture specifically benefits the following conditions:

- Cervical ripening
- Inducing labour (labor) if >40 weeks
- Increase in contraction strength and frequency
- Pain Management
- Back pain
- Anxiety and fear
- Fatigue

Acupuncture for Cervical Maturation by Tremeau ML; Fontanie-Ravier P; Teurnier F; Demouzon J. Journal de Gynecologie, Obstetrique et Biologie de la Reproduction, 1992, 21(4):375-80. Allais, G., et al. Acupuncture in labor management. Minerva ginecologica 55(6): 503-10. Eappen S, Robbins D., Nonpharmacological means of pain relief for labor and delivery, Int Anesthesiol Clini. 2002 Fall; 40(4): 103-14, Review

Services

labour (labor) Support with Acupuncture and TCM

Acupuncture and TCM can support the labour (labor)ing woman and work well with other care providers such as doulas, midwives, and medical practitioners. The mother can plan ahead of time to have acupuncture and TCM as a part of her support network, beginning at your home and staying through delivery. This dramatically aids in pain management and reduces the duration of labour (labor). As well, it is available to assist in unforeseen events, such as, stalled labour (labor), weak and infrequent contractions, cervical swelling, back pain, fear and anxiety, fatigue, and retained placenta.

Fee: $800.00 (includes one consultation and prenatal visit, and labour (labor) support)

On Call labour (labor) Support with Acupuncture and TCM

If the mother does not see the acupuncture and TCM as a part of her birth environment, there is the option for the mother, midwife, doula, or medical practitioner to call me if a problem arises. A house call can be made to assist in unforeseen events, such as, stalled labour (labor), weak and infrequent contractions, cervical swelling, back pain, fear and anxiety, fatigue, retained placenta and help with pain management. This is often a helpful first choice for mothers who want to have a home birth and avoid medical intervention.

Fee: $125.00 for house call and 1st hour plus additional $100.00 per/hour (total will not exceed $800.00)

* In my experience, I am usually at the birth for 4-6 hours. This can include approx. 4- 10 acupuncture sessions; each session is about 25 minutes. When a woman is in labour (labor) I work at her pace and with her comfort level. Depending on the contractions, sometimes a woman can only handle the needles in for a short amount of time before she needs to move around. At this point I would give her a rest from the acupuncture and then resume when she felt comfortable. Once the problem is solved, I usually stick around a short while to ensure that everything is progressing nicely and labour (labor) is back on track.

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Raeghan Siemens is a registered acupuncturist in Vancouver BC.
Her practice at Acubalance Wellness Centre focuses primarily on pre & post-natal care.
For more information on Raeghan click here.