Many women turn to acupuncture as a natural way to overcome infertility issues and get pregnant. Once they’re pregnant, some women don’t realize that they are able to continue with their acupuncture appointments well into pregnancy. Here are five things women should know about the safety of acupuncture during pregnancy.

1. Acupuncture is Safe During Pregnancy

Experts agree that acupuncture is safe for pregnant women. While certain acupuncture points may not be recommended for pregnant women, trained acupuncturists will know what areas are safe and what areas are not. For centuries, pregnant women have used acupuncture for natural relief from many pregnancy symptoms. It makes sense for women to still turn to acupuncture to provide comfort.

2. Acupuncture Provides Relief for Pregnancy Aches and Pains

When you’re pregnant, the added weight of carrying a baby and your changing body can cause pregnancy aches and pains. While taking over-the-counter medications like aspirin isn’t advisable as it may hurt the baby, acupuncture is a drug-free alternative that won’t impair the baby’s growth. Using certain acupuncture points such as your wrist, an acupuncturist can quickly provide relief for pregnancy-related pain.

3. It May Relieve Morning Sickness?

Your wrist is an acupuncture point that can help relieve nausea. That’s why companies manufacture and market morning sickness bracelets that apply pressure to your wrist for nausea relief. However, many of these bracelets fail to work because they are the wrong size or worn incorrectly. Acupuncturists know where they need to press for you to feel relief.

4. It’s a Non-Medical Alternative to Common Pregnancy Problems

Many pregnant women experience the same pregnancy-related problems, such as depression or fatigue. Acupuncture can provide relief for depression and fatigue for both pregnant and non-pregnant clients. If you’ve found acupuncture to be successful in the past for a certain condition, it’s possible to continue going to your acupuncture appointments even when you’re pregnant. Likewise, when you’re pregnant and facing new symptoms, it’s worth calling your acupuncturist to see what he or she can do with acupuncture.

5. You May Need to Lay on Your Side

In the past, you may have laid on your back to during acupuncture appointments. During the later trimesters of pregnancy, it’s important to avoid laying down on your back because of the amount of pressure your growing uterus puts on your back and other internal organs. Additional, laying on your back in late pregnancy could potentially reduce blood flow. Your acupuncturist may have you lay on your side or sit up for acupuncture sessions late in pregnancy to ensure adequate blood flow and prevent problems.

If you have any questions about what acupuncture treatments are safe during pregnancy, ask your acupuncturist or your healthcare provider before undergoing any acupuncture session. At Thumos Health Center, we have experience providing high quality acupuncture service to pregnant women for pregnancy symptom relief and to help induce labor.