Is Acupuncture Safe During Pregnancy?

Acupuncture is incredibly safe and effective, especially when it comes to reproductive health. Acupuncture can be used to regulate hormone levels, enhance egg and sperm quality, and even help women undergoing assisted reproductive treatments like IVF and IUI get pregnant. Because of its adaptogenic nature, acupuncture is a suitable treatment for a variety of conditions. It’s highly effective and very safe. But, the question is, is acupuncture safe during pregnancy? If so, what benefits does it have to offer expecting mothers?

Studies reveal that acupuncture is safe to use during pregnancy and has very few adverse side effects. Acupuncture can be used to support hormonal balance, reduce pregnancy symptoms, and prepare you for labor.

Acupuncture is safe to use during pregnancy

If you’re considering using acupuncture during pregnancy, then rest assured, acupuncture is completely safe to use throughout your gestation. But, you don’t have to take our word for it. There are numerous studies that show acupuncture is safe for use in expectant mothers.

In a review of 25 studies, acupuncture was determined to be safe for use in pregnant women. The most commonly reported side effect was discomfort at the needle site during needle insertion and/or after treatment, which was considered a mild complaint. According to the review, acupuncture did not contribute to any adverse delivery outcomes.

One study examined the safety of acupuncture at “forbidden points”, which are acupuncture points that are considered forbidden during pregnancy and avoided because they can move Qi strongly. However, the study concluded that even stimulation of these points with acupuncture and electroacupuncture did not result in any adverse delivery outcomes.

The research shows that acupuncture is a safe alternative therapy for women to utilize for support throughout their pregnancies. There is no reliable evidence that indicates acupuncture is unsafe or that it can contribute to complications during pregnancy or labor. Don’t let misinformation scare you if you’re considering getting acupuncture during your pregnancy, you can rest easy knowing that the benefits significantly outweigh the risks.

Acupuncture supports conception and implantation

Research consistently shows that acupuncture is safe to be used for pregnant women, but the evidence goes even further. Not only is acupuncture safe for use during pregnancy, but there is also evidence to suggest that acupuncture can help women conceive and become pregnant.

According to a randomized controlled trial, acupuncture improved fertility among women, and “shortened the time to conception by half” compared to lifestyle adjustments alone. This is excellent news for women undergoing IUI treatments, as well as those dealing with subfertility.

And, in this study, acupuncture was also found to be effective at supporting implantation. When used as an adjunct therapy, acupuncture (as well as moxibustion) was found to increase the rate of clinical pregnancy among women undergoing IVF treatments: 35% of women in the acupuncture group achieved clinical pregnancy, versus only 7.1% in the control group and 10.7% in the sham group.

Overall, the evidence overwhelmingly suggests that not only is acupuncture safe for use during pregnancy, but it can actually help women become pregnant. Acupuncture increases blood flow to the ovaries to support ovulation, and to the uterus, which tones the muscle itself and enables the body to build a healthy endometrium that is receptive to both conception and implantation.

Using acupuncture to ease pregnancy symptoms

Acupuncture supports the body throughout pregnancy. Countless women have turned to acupuncture to address a variety of pregnancy-related symptoms, including morning sickness, hip, back, and pelvic pain, headaches, insomnia, and much more.

Many women in their first trimester and even women in their second trimester come to us with complaints of morning sickness, difficulty sleeping, and back pain. Acupuncture has been shown to be an effective all-natural treatment for alleviating this common pregnancy complaint of nausea and support sleep. Acupuncture has also been shown to regulate the appetite, which can reduce cravings and restore normal hunger signals.

Acupuncture is ideal for women experiencing pain, headaches, and sleeplessness during pregnancy. This is thanks in large part to acupuncture’s ability to promote relaxation. When inserted into key points across the body, acupuncture needles can be used to release muscle tension to stop hip, back, and pelvic pain. This physical relaxation soon gives way to mental relaxation, making you feel calm and at ease.

During acupuncture, endorphins are released. These neurotransmitters fight pain by intercepting pain signals and raising your pain threshold naturally. Endorphins also improve your mood and contribute to an enhanced sense of wellness. All of these benefits working together make it easier for you to fall asleep during pregnancy, so you can get plenty of rest before your baby comes.

Acupuncture prepares your body (and your baby!) for labor

Remember, acupuncture sends a flow of blood to the reproductive organs. This is so important because fresh blood, and plenty of it, enables your body to nourish your baby. The increase in blood flow to the womb also tones the muscles in the pelvic floor, and this will prepare you for childbirth.

Keeping the muscles in the pelvic floor in good working order will help make your contractions more efficient during labor. Additionally, as you near your due date, your uterus begins producing small contractions. These help to turn your baby into the ideal position for birth with their head down and their feet up.

Acupuncture is so powerful that it has been used to successfully turn breech-positioned babies into the correct position prior to labor, reducing the risk of complications. Studies also show that acupuncture can ease pain during childbirth. We often recommend acupuncture after giving birth as well to help mothers recover from pregnancy, and promote a sense of calm so they can enjoy this precious time with their newborns.

Book your first appointment today

Still have questions about using acupuncture during your pregnancy? Get in touch with our office today to learn more. We’ll be happy to address any concerns you may have.

At Integrative Healing Arts, we’ve helped women from all walks of life ease their pregnancy-related symptoms and prepare for childbirth with the help of acupuncture. In addition to acupuncture, we rely on a handful of holistic therapies, including herbal medicine, to help our clients achieve mental, emotional, and physical wellness. We’ll help you come up with a customized treatment protocol that supports your body during this special time.