Pokes for pregnancy: Community Acupuncture for happy, healthy parents & babies
In a nutshell, Community Acupuncture is high volume acupuncture provided in a supportive group setting, points mainly on the arms and legs, at sliding scale rates – at Heart & Hands, our rates are $30-60/session. It makes acupuncture an accessible option to a wider range of individuals who otherwise could not afford the going rate for acupuncture. It is a modern take on how acupuncture is traditionally provided in Asia; in a large open space, treating many people at once, quickly, efficiently and effectively.
Acupuncture is a dose dependent therapy and that the benefits are achieved by frequency, and less so by individual doses. Therefore, the appropriate treatment plan is key in assisting the gradual process for resolving issues and promoting recovery. It becomes more accessible for clients to access as much treatment as often as they need.
So, Community Acupuncture is an ideal therapy for expectant mothers and it offers so much more than labour induction to promote a happy, healthy pregnancy and beyond!
I didn’t know I could I receive acupuncture during pregnancy?!!?
Community Acupuncture is extremely helpful for supporting pre and post-natal conditions. It is natural, drug-free, minimally invasive and focuses on preventative care to ensure optimally positive outcomes, not to mention being accessible, affordable and community-based!
AND, our group setting can also accommodate for the spouse/family/friend, etc. attending the birth, so they can also receive some well-deserved acu-nap time too!
Acupuncture is commonly recommended for a variety of pregnancy-related issues
What is pre-birth acupuncture?
Pre-birth acupuncture is an individualized treatment plan for preparation of childbirth. It is recommended starting around 36-37 weeks up till term (~40 weeks) for both first time as well as mothers who have carried previous pregnancies. We usually recommend sessions once a week or as required based on other accompanying symptoms.
The objective is to promote positive outcomes in the weeks leading to childbirth as well as decreasing pain and complications during and after childbirth. Acupuncture can support and prepare a mother’s body for a more effective, natural vaginal birth. It has also been shown to decrease the incidence of complications such as requiring medical induction and/or cesarian section.
The benefits of pre-birth acupuncture
We sometimes recommend acupressure for further support at home. Click HERE for some resources.
From the perspective of an acupuncturist
As our reputation continues to grow in the community that we are a safe and welcoming space for expectant mothers, I slowly want to shift attitudes around preventative care and improving quality of life before, during and after pregnancy. It is possible to minimize many of the unpleasant symptoms that accompany the process of gestating a brand new life and that it is unnecessary to suffer through your pregnancy or become completely depleted after giving birth.
Here at Heart & Hands, we would love to be a continual and regular support THROUGHOUT your pregnancy journey, ensuring that you have a positive and best possible outcome for you, your progressing, changing pregnant body and of course, the baby.
From my experience, the baby decides when it’s ready to enter the world, so I’d rather shift my focus onto supporting the mother. And while supporting the labour process is important, I have yet to meet someone who hasn’t experienced some amount of discomfort during those 40 odd weeks of pregnancy and which is just as beneficial to address, if not more than just getting past the due date! We want to provide drug-free, natural, traditional health care to individuals throughout + following this amazing physical, emotional and spiritual transition :)
Did you know? Heart & Hands offers safe, drug-free and affordable care throughout your pregnancy journey, whether you are trying to conceive, managing the symptoms and discomforts during, preparing to give birth or needing post-partum support, we are the place! Find out more, Pokes for pregnancy: Community Acupuncture for happy, healthy parents & babies.
