Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a very long history of use during pregnancy and labor in China.  the idea has not caught up here in the ‘States yet, and i’m not sure that it ever will thanks to the medical establishment as well as this litigious society that we live in today.

but let me get off of my soapbox for a moment.

 

perhaps some of you have read or heard about the miraculous use of moxibustion in turning a breech baby.  this is only one use of TCM during pregnancy and labor.

in fact, most acupuncture points are completely safe during pregnancy.  there are several points that are contraindicated during pregnancy, and many of them are obvious--points on the low abdomen and low back.  some are not so obvious--points near the ankles, on the small toe, on the shoulders.  as long as you go to a Licensed Acupuncturist who has taken and passed the NCCAOM examination you should be safe.  

 

as far as other uses for acupuncture midwifery, you can use acupuncture to help control morning sickness, high blood pressure, dizziness, constipation, threatened miscarriage, back pain, edema (swollen legs).  you can also use TCM during labor as well to reduce pain, initiate contractions, calm the expectant mother.  and lastly, you can use TCM after delivery to help mom recover, to expel the lochia, to help the uterus return to its normal size, to help with milk production as well as to stop milk production later.

 

and finally, TCM can be used safely on children, either as acupuncture, cupping, scraping, moxibustion, or herbal prescriptions.