General Pregnancy
Birth Preparation
Pregnancy
There are many changes physically and emotionally throughout a pregnancy, birth and in the postpartum period. A number of health concerns during pregnancy are considered ‘par for the course’ because they are not easily alleviated with western medicine. As many conventional pharmaceuticals cannot be used during pregnancy, this is a time when complementary therapies are especially helpful. Acupuncture and massage are ideally suited to treat the following conditions:
- Miscarriage prevention
- Nausea / morning sickness
- Back pain / pelvic pain / sciatica
- Headaches
- Leg cramps
- Insomnia
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Stress / anxiety / fear
- Heartburn
- Pre-Eclampsia (hypertension)
- Gestational Diabetes
- Anemia
- Bladder infections
- Elevated liver enzymes
- HELLP Syndrome
- Hypo / Hyperamnios
- Edema
- Carpel tunnel
- Breech and Posterior presentation
- Preterm labour
Childbirth
Acupuncture and massage can help prepare your pelvis, cervix and whole body for childbirth resulting in easier labour and delivery. Cervical ripening consists of one acupuncture treatment per week until labour begins. Acupuncture may also provide a gentle option to encourage active labour if your baby is overdue, reducing requirements for medical induction and cesarean section.
Postpartum
Chinese Medicine has techniques to help promote prompt recovery after delivery. These include “mother warming” acu-moxibustion treatments, advice on diet, and the use of specific strengthening and blood building herbal formulas. Other conditions that can be helped by acupuncture and massage include;
- insufficient or blocked lactation (mastitis)
- wound healing & scar tissue repair
- postpartum depression
- urinary incontinence
- hemorrhoids
I am pregnant, now what?
A list of basic supplements that every woman should take (*take with food, and spread out with meals);
- Good quality (non-synthetic) prenatal multivitamin
- 5-MTHF folic acid (folate, B9)
- DHA fish oils
- Vitamin D
*All available for purchase at Yinstill.
Other important recommendations (*accept all the points below as your most important job now, these are your priorities);
- Eat like a rabbit. Always be munching, especially if nausea is prominent. Try to eat more protein-rich foods. Avoid high/simple sugar content foods. This will help with mood and nausea, and prevent gestational diabetes.
- Walking is enough for exercise for the 1st trimester, don’t over-do it. Prenatal yoga is another good place to start.
- Listen to your body, if you are tired, rest. If you feel sleepy, go to bed. If you are hungry, eat. Your innate wisdom is unsurpassed, trust it.
- Try to ground some of your worry, fears, and other negative energy by going for regular walks in the trees. It is important to be around nature while pregnant.
- Work is not your priority anymore. delegate where you can, work regular hours (avoid overtime), remove yourself from overly stressful situations or people.
- Alleviate stress: acupuncture, walks, girl time, yoga, reading, romantic nights, massage. Regularly schedule these things.
Which pregnancy books should I read?
Here is a list of recommended reading;
- Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn – Simkin, Whalley, Keppler
- The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth – Kitzinger
- Conception, Pregnancy, and Birth – Dr. Stoppard
- The Mother of All Pregnancy Books – Ann Douglas
*Yinstill does not recommend ‘What to expect when you are expecting’. Feedback on this book is that portrays pregnancy as a time of fear.
What is First Trimester Screening at PCRM?
This is a 5 part diagnostic toward the end of the first trimester of pregnancy at the Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine;
- Nuchal Translucency
This is an ultrasound measurement of fluid between the spine and the skin of the fetal neck, done best at 11-14 weeks. - Nasal Bone
This is the ultrasound determination of calcium in the nasal cartilage. - Ductus Venosus
This is an ultrasound measurement of blood flow through a small vessel in the fetal liver. - hCG
A blood test that measures a protein made by the placenta which can go up or down in genetic syndromes and other conditions. - PAPP-A
A blood test that measures another protein made by the placenta and the fetus
Should I work with a doula?
Yes. If you do not have a woman in your life, that lives close by, that you trust deeply, and that can be there for you whenever she gets the call, a doula is something to strongly consider when approaching labour and delivery. A doula is someone who is there for you every step of the way through your labour and delivery. They are knowledgeable about most everything you are going through, and are great support for both you and your husband or partner. In the old village, there would have been wise women around that would have been there for the labouring women. In today’s reality, birth has been largely hospitalized, therefore, most often, the first birth a woman attends is her own. This can give rise to many fears that can slow and hault labour. A doula can help alleviate these fears and aid in manifesting a positive birth experience.
Yinstill Reproductive Wellness also works closely with Cherish Childbirth Care.
Migraines during pregnancy… 
I’ve been coming to Yinstill for a few months now (during my first trimester) for migraines. When you walk in, there is such a calm and relaxing atmosphere that even my husband has commented on it! Everyone from the staff (Sarah and Claire) to Junko who has been treating me have been so kind and helpful. I can’t recommend Junko enough as she always listens to any concerns that I may have and even sends me recipes that will help after my pregnancy is over. I never would have thought acupuncture would help but amazingly I truly believe it has.
– N.L.
