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Pregnancy

Pregnancy
Morning Sickness
Pre-Eclampsia
Ectopic Pregnancy
Recurrent Miscarriage
Breech Presentation
Labor Induction

Women’s Health

Recurrent Miscarriage

Visit our research section for articles regarding Chinese medicine and morning sickness.

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Pregnancy

What are the Early Signs of Pregnancy?

Pregnancy symptoms differ from pregnancy to pregnancy. Some women experience pregnancy symptoms within a week of conception and some experience little or no symptoms at all.
Below is a listing of the most common pregnancy symptoms:

  1. Implantation Bleeding: About 6-12 days after conception, some women experience cramping and spotting as the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall.
  2. Delay/Difference in Menstruation: A delayed or missed menstruation is the most common symptom of pregnancy. Many women can bleed while they are pregnant, but typically the bleeding will be shorter or lighter than a normal period.
  3. Swollen/Tender Breasts: Beginning as early as 1-2 weeks after conception, many women may experience swollen or tender breasts.
  4. Fatigue/Tiredness: Fatigue is a common symptom of pregnancy and may start as early as the first week after conception.
  5. Nausea/Morning Sickness: Beginning 2-8 weeks after conception, many women experience nausea.
  6. Backaches: Many women experience lower backaches or a dull backache throughout the entire pregnancy.
  7. Headaches: The sudden rise of hormones during pregnancy can cause headaches.
  8. Frequent Urination: Frequent urination is common in pregnant women and often begins 6-8 weeks after conception.
  9. Darkening of Areolas: The skin around your nipples may get darker when pregnant.
  10. Food Cravings: Food cravings are common while pregnant.

What are the Benefits of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture During Each Trimester of Pregnancy?

  • First Trimester: During the first trimester, Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are used to balance the endocrine system, and regulate the hormones produced during pregnancy, as well as helping to prevent miscarriage and provide a stabilizing effect on the pregnancy. Our protocol involves the use of acupuncture, herbs, nutritional counseling and dietary modification to help minimize nausea, morning sickness, fatigue, migraines, bleeding, and spotting that are experienced during the first trimester of pregnancy.
  • Second Trimester: During the second trimester, Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are used to regulate the digestive and nervous systems. Continued support of the endocrine system is also provided as this is necessary throughout pregnancy. Our protocol involves the use of acupuncture, herbs, nutritional counseling and dietary modification to help maintain balance, alleviate heartburn, hemorrhoids, edema, elevated blood pressure, and stress.
  • Third Trimester: During the third trimester, Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are used to regulate the musculoskeletal system to provide relief from sciatica, backache, pubic and joint pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. Continued support is provided for the endocrine system to address such symptoms as elevated blood pressure and edema. Treatment during this trimester also encourages the proper positioning of the baby for birth and helps normalize and optimize labor. Our protocol involves the use of acupuncture, herbs, nutritional counseling and dietary modification to improve the physical and emotional health of the mother both before and during labor. Research shows that women who use acupuncture experience shortened labor times with fewer complications, reduced rate of caesarean, and less need for the use of oxytocin, pain medications and epidurals. Providers at Harmony Acupuncture are available during labor at the hospital or at the patient’s home.
  • Postpartum: Postpartum acupuncture can help replenish and restore balance to a woman's body, help shrink the uterus, stop bleeding, alleviate backaches, encourage lactation, alleviate migraines, reduce fatigue, and alleviate postpartum depression. Our protocol involves the use of Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, Moxibustion, and Nutritional counseling to promote a faster recovery after delivery.

What Conditions in Pregnancy may be improved by Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine?

  • Morning sickness
  • Nausea
  • Hyperemesis
  • Heartburn
  • Spotting or break thru bleeding
  • Insomnia
  • Fatigue
  • Anemia
  • Backaches and sciatica
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Constipation
  • Incontinence
  • Anxiety and Depression
  • Gestational Hypertension
  • Gestational Diabetes
  • Edema
  • Pre-Eclampsia
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Threatened Miscarriage
  • Breech presentation
  • Premature labor
  • Promotes contractions during labor
  • Labor pain
  • Labor induction
  • Postpartum depression
  • Blocked ducts/mastitis
  • Lactation Problems
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