During pregnancy, the body changes dramatically in a short period of time and the process can be difficult. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used for thousands of years to support women during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery. In recent years, there has been increased interest towards incorporating TCM into modern prenatal care, due to its many benefits for both the mother and the baby. In this article we will cover five key benefits of TCM during pregnancy. If you're interested, you can also learn more about Chinese Medicine treatments for Fertility and Pregnancy at Health Wise.
Our team wants to help you along your pregnancy journey, whilst making the experience the best it can be. Health Wise has been helping patients for over 30 years. We understand the challenges that can come with pregnancy. Contact us today if you're interested in making a booking:
Call: +852 2526 7908
Whatsapp: +852 9855 2840
Email: info@chinesemed.hk
Website: www.chinesemed.hk
Article Contents:
5) TCM For Postpartum Recovery
Safety Of Traditional Chinese Medicine During Pregnancy?
“Is Traditional Chinese Medicine safe during pregnancy?” is one of the most commonly asked questions we get from pregnant women. In short, the answer is: ‘Yes it is safe’. Research from a systematic review has shown that undergoing acupuncture is safe during pregnancy when applied correctly. There are a number of acupuncture points and herbal ingredients that our pracitioners at Health Wise are trained to avoid for pregnant women to ensure safe outcomes.
Our team has over 30 years of clinical experience helping patients. You can rest assured that our experienced Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners who are legally registered to pracitice in Hong Kong will safely guide you through the process. We specialize in fertility, and under our care you are in safe hands.
Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments can be beneficial throughout each stage of the trimester. In the first trimester, TCM modalities can help to support and nourish the body as well as relieve pregnancy related symptoms. In later stages, we can assist with pain relief and reduce swelling that is associated with pregnancy. Finally, in the third trimester, TCM treatments can help prepare the body for labor and help position the baby for a smooth experience during childbirth.
Five Key Benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine During Pregnancy
1) TCM Supports A Healthy Pregnancy
TCM recognizes the importance of keeping the mother's body in balance and in harmony during pregnancy. This is achieved through a variety of modalities, including acupuncture, herbal therapy, and dietary recommendations, which helps to address the body's imbalances and promote overall health.
Acupuncture can help to regulate hormones and promote blood flow, which can help to reduce complications such as miscarriage, preterm labor, and preeclampsia (high blood pressure disorder that can occur during pregnancy).
Scientific data demonstrates that acupuncture helps to improve menstrual regularity, restores ovulation pattern regularity, increases pregnancy rates, regulates hormonal secretions, normalizes body temperature patterns, and increases embryo survival rates. These benefits provided by acupuncture apply to both natural conception and IVF (in vitro fertilization) patients.
Additionally, herbal remedies can help to support the immune system, relieve stress, and regulate mood, all of which can be particularly important during pregnancy.
2) TCM Reduces Pregnancy-related Symptoms
Traditional Chinese Medicine can help to manage common pregnancy-related symptoms. Many women experience a range of discomforts during pregnancy such as nausea, headaches as well as back pain and pelvic pain. TCM offers a variety of natural remedies that can help to manage these symptoms, without exposing the mother or the baby to potentially harmful chemicals or medications.
Nausea & Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting in the form of morning sickness is common during pregnancy, affecting 70–80% of all pregnant women. These symptoms are typically limited to the first trimester. However, a small percentage of women can experience a prolonged course of these symptoms that can extend all the way until delivery. The overall quality of life and ability to work whilst experiencing these symptoms can be negatively impacted.
Acupuncture, and acupressure (stimulation of pressure points without the use of acupuncture needles), have been shown to reduce symptoms of nausea and vomiting. The National Library of Medicine has published research that shows acupuncture can help to reduce nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy. These treatments can be used to alleviate mild to moderate nausea and vomiting. The treatments can also help to promote a greater sense of general well being.
In addition, herbal therapy and dietary recommendatons can also be used to help improve the symptoms of nausea. For example ginger is one commonly recommended herb for morning sickness, it has been shown to be effective in reducing nausea and vomiting. At Health Wise, our pracitioners craft herbal formulas specific to your body's unique pattern of symptoms from our curated herbal dispensary.
Headaches
Some pregnant women find themselves continually experiencing migraines throughout their pregnancy and postpartum. In some cases, even those without a previous history may experience migraines and headaches for the first time during pregnancy or after birth.
Treating migraines during pregnancy can pose a challenge to Western doctors due to the risk of fetal complications from using standard migraine medications. On the other hand, acupuncture treatments can provide natural analgesic relief to patients who are suffering. Research has shown that acupuncture may reduce pregnancy-induced headaches and provide effective support for patients with minimal risk to the fetus.
In addition, herbal therapy and dietary recommendatons can help to improve the symptoms of nausea: Ginger is a commonly recommended herb for morning sickness, it has been shown to be effective in reducing nausea and vomiting. At Health Wise, our pracitioners will craft herbal formulas specific to your body's unique pattern of symptoms from our curated herbal dispensary to ensure the best results.
Pains & Aches
More than two‐thirds of pregnant women experience lower back pain and almost one‐fifth experience pelvic pain. These two conditions may occur separately or together. The symptoms typically increase in magnitude as the patients move into the later stages of pregnancy.
Research shows that acupuncture is effective at relieving Lower Back and Pelvic Pain, and helps to improves the pain condition. Getting into regular acupuncture sessions earlier in the pregnancy can help to deal with the pains that develop later in the pregnancy more effectively.
3) TCM Helps With Fetal Development
Traditional Chinese Medicine has a long history in pregnancy care during fetal development with a profound emphasis on “养胎 Yǎng tāi” and “护胎 Hù tāi”, which translates to nurturing & protecting the fetus.
TCM emphasizes promoting optimal fetal development by providing the baby with appropriate nutrients, oxygen, and energy. This can be achieved through a combination of dietary recommendations, herbal remedies, and acupuncture.
In TCM, nurturing the fetus (“养胎 Yǎng tāi”) is important during the first trimester to help prevent:
1) Morning sickness
2) Early miscarriage
3) Habitual miscarriage
Protecting the fetus (“护胎 Hù tāi”) occurs from three months of pregnancy until delivery and aims to prevent and address:
1. Intrauterine growth restriction( IUGR)
2. Retention of dead fetus
3. Anxiety with pregnancy
4. Pregnancy with edema
5. Gestational diabetes
6. Pregnancy with dizziness
7. Pre-eclampsia or PIH( pregnancy induced hypertension).
8. Pregnancy with constipation
9. Pregnancy anemia
10. Placenta previa
11. Breech baby
12. Overdue pregnancy (past delivery date)
In TCM, experience is heavily correlated with the degreee of efficacy, and Health Wise has been helping patients for over 30 years, delivery outstanding TCM treatments in Central Hong Kong. We understand the challenges that can come with pregnancy. Contact us today if you're interested in making a booking:
Call: +852 2526 7908
Whatsapp: +852 9855 2840
Email: info@chinesemed.hk
Website: www.chinesemed.hk
4) TCM Helps With Labor Preparation & Delivery
During the third trimester, TCM treatments can be particularly effective for preparing the body for labor and positioning the baby for smooth delivery.
Labor Preparation
Acupuncture can be used to help relieve the pain of contractions and promote relaxation, which can help to reduce stress and increase the chances of a vaginal delivery.
Pre-birth acupuncture starts during week 36 of the pregnancy. Towards the end of the third trimester, many pregnant women begin weekly acupuncture sessions to prepare their bodies for labor.
This series of treatments can help to prepare the cervix for delivery. In doing so, it can shorten labor time, reduce pain during delivery, and more. Studies have shown that using acupuncture may result in a shorter time to labor onset, and shorter labor duration.
Pregnancy does not need to be difficult. We can be there to help you through this process. Health Wise has over thirty years of clinical experience. Get in touch with us today to make a booking contact us.
Delivery
In addition to acupuncture, moxibustion treatments are often used by our TCM practitioners to position the baby in the optimal position to ensure a smooth birth. Moxibustion has been shown to be effective for helping to turn a breech baby (learn more in our article here).
Moxibustion uses long sticks of mugwort herb that are burned near acupuncture points along the body. The heat from the burning and the properties of the herbs themselves help to provide physical benefits.
Studies have shown that daily sessions of moxibustion (combined with acupuncture) can increase fetal activity and help turn the baby from a breech position to the optimal head-down position. As outlined in research published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Acupuncture plus moxibustion is more effective than observation in revolving fetuses in breech presentation. Such a method appears to be a valid option for women willing to experience a natural birth".
Lastly, herbal remedies such as red raspberry leaf can help to tone the uterus and prepare it for labor, red date and goji berry can help to nourish the uterus and promote healthy contractions, while ginger and licorice can help to support healthy digestion and reduce stress during labor. At Health Wise, our pracitioners craft herbal formulas specific to your body's unique pattern of symptoms from our curated herbal dispensary to ensure the best results.
5) TCM For Postpartum Recovery
TCM recognizes the importance of supporting the mother's body during the postpartum period, as it is a critical time for recovery and healing.
Acupuncture can be used to help regulate hormones and promote healing, while herbal remedies can help to nourish the uterus and promote healthy lactation. Additionally, dietary recommendations can help to ensure that the mother is receiving appropriate nutrients to support her recovery for both her and her baby.
In conclusion, Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a variety of natural and effective solutions for supporting women during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery. Whether you are seeking relief from common pregnancy symptoms, supporting a healthy labor and delivery, or promoting postpartum recovery, TCM can help you achieve your goals in a safe and natural way. Health Wise has been helping patients for over 30 years with leading TCM treatments in Hong Kong. Contact us today if you're interested in making a booking:
Call: +852 2526 7908
Whatsapp: +852 9855 2840
Email: info@chinesemed.hk
Website: www.chinesemed.hk
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