Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum support
Discover a natural holistic approach, combining acupuncture, nutrition and herbal medicine for a smooth and comfortable pregnancy at every stage.
Pregnancy is an incredible journey, but it can also come with its challenges. From fluctuating hormone levels and early pregnancy nausea nausea to the increasing physical demands as your baby grows, it’s essential to take care of yourself. By prioritising your well-being, we also ensure the best care for your growing baby.
Drawing on Chinese medicine’s rich history in pregnancy health and my extensive experience working with pregnancy in Melbourne, I offer comprehensive support throughout your pregnancy and into motherhood. Combining acupuncture with nutrition and carefully selected herbs provides a holistic approach which continues to support you even after your baby arrives, as postpartum recovery is essential for long-term health and well-being.
Acupuncture in pregnancy
Acupuncture can address a range of pregnancy-related symptoms, including:
- Morning sickness
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Headaches and migraines
- Constipation, heartburn
- Anxiety and stress
- Back, hip, rib and pelvic pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Breech or malposition
- Labor/birth preparation
Let me help you enjoy a healthier, more comfortable pregnancy.
First trimester (0-12 weeks):
In these early weeks of pregnancy, your body begins the incredible task of growing a new human from scratch. With rapid changes in your hormones and metabolism, it’s normal to feel exhausted, nauseous and bloated.
In early pregnancy, weekly acupuncture sessions aim to support your physiology and build your resources, focusing on:
- Settling nausea
- Boosting energy
- Improving sleep
- Stress reduction
Second Trimester (13-28 weeks):
As you enter the second trimester, you’ll likely feel more like yourself again. Acupuncture treatments can be spaced out to fortnightly or monthly sessions, supporting your and your baby’s health while addressing any aches or pains as they arise.
Third Trimester (29-40 weeks):
In the third trimester, there is more strain on your body. Acupuncture can help alleviate discomforts, such as sciatica, back or pelvic pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome. It also addresses insomnia, anxiety, breech positioning, and prepares you for a healthy birth.
Acupuncture for birth preparation
In the final weeks of pregnancy, the focus shifts to gently preparing your body for labour. Oxytocin, the “love hormone,” drives labour, and this process depends on the mother feeling calm, relaxed and safe in her body.
From 36 weeks, we recommend weekly acupuncture sessions to support a smooth labour and birth, including:
- Ensuring your baby is in an optimal position for birth
- Easing tension and promoting relaxation
- Encouraging cervical softening and ripening
As you approach 40 weeks, stronger acupuncture points can be used to help induce labour if necessary.
Acupressure for Labour Preparation: Acupressure points can also be used for labour preparation and pain relief during labour. You (or your partner) will be taught how to use these points to provide an extra boost when needed.
Postpartum recovery
Chinese medicine places great emphasis on rest and recovery after birth, both physically and emotionally. To support your postpartum health we focus on:
- Encouraging healing and recovery
- Boosting energy and rebuilding reserves
- Assisting with milk supply and mastitis
- Addressing haemorrhoids and digestive issues
- Nervous system support to calm stress and anxiety.
Herbal medicine in pregnancy
Chinese herbs can be safely taken during pregnancy when they are prescribed by an experienced herbalist. We only use high-quality herbs traditionally known to “calm the fetus” and support both mother and baby. Many of these herbs, such as fresh ginger and cardamom, are also commonly used in cooking.
Herbal medicine offers natural relief from various pregnancy symptoms when avoiding unnecessary medications and drugs, including:
- Colds, coughs and hayfever
- Exhaustion, Insomnia
- Constipation and heartburn
- Skin conditions
- Stress and anxiety
Chinese herbal medicine is also vital for postpartum recovery. Combined with dietary therapy, it boosts energy and nourishes blood and fluids to provide optimal nutrition and rebuild reserves for new mothers.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Yes, if you see a practitioner who has training and experience working with pregnancy – there are points we avoid using as they can be too stimulating at this time (though these may be some we use at the end of your pregnancy, when you’re 40 weeks and hoping to avoid being induced!), and points which are very supportive right through pregnancy.
It has been an honour to support women through pregnancy for the past 20 years, and I continue to update my education in this area to offer the best possible integrative care.
tion Agency (AHPRA), so if your private health insurance covers acupuncture then you can claim on the spot and only pay the gap.
Moxa has traditionally been used for this purpose, applying the penetrating heat to a point called zhiyin or “Bladder 67” by the little toe, and is recommended by many midwives and obstetricians. I see many women in their final weeks of pregnancy for birth preparation, including optimal fetal positioning and breech presentation. Moxa for breech presentation is best started between 32-34 weeks.
However, as it’s impossible to do a randomized double-blind clinical trial (in which both the practitioner and the patient don’t know whether they are getting the real therapy or a sham), I can’t make any claims about its efficacy or say that it has a success rate of over 70%.
Acupuncture is used in the last weeks of pregnancy to support normal physiological labour, allowing the body to relax and let go so the hormonal cascade of labour can begin when baby is ready.
Birth preparation begins between 34-36 weeks, with induction techniques added from 37 weeks. I also work with pregnant women who are overdue or wanting to do all they can to avoid a medical induction.
Yes, if they are prescribed by an experienced herbalist – there are many herbs we avoid using in pregnancy, this is a time when we only use herbs that were traditionally said to “calm the fetus” and support physiology in pregnancy. Chinese herbs are always prescribed in combination, and these herbal formulas have synergistic effects that make them more moderate and easier to digest, compared with herbs used singly.
The herbs that we use are the highest quality and under strict controls to ensure their safety and efficacy.
Bachelor of Applied Science, then a clinical Internship in China, and ongoing continued professional education, in order to be registered with AHPRA as an allied health professional.
When you see a herbalist with training and experience, herbs can be safely taken while breastfeeding, either for issues with breastfeeding, or other postpartum health issues. Supply and flow are both factors that can affect breastfeeding, as can postnatal depletion, and it’s important to address these.