Guest blog – by Katy Bradshaw

I always say that it's a good job that pregnancy is nine months long. Not only does it take that long to grow a baby, but it also takes that long to get your head around the fact that you're going to be a parent.

Not only that, but the emotional and physical changes that you go through are huge and can't be rushed.

As an acupuncturist, I work with women at all stages of pregnancy; it's one of my favourite times to support women. Acupuncture is a gentle, complementary treatment that can be adapted throughout pregnancy, responding to what you and your body need at each stage.

Pregnancy is a profound transformation for the whole woman. Your body is growing and nourishing another human being, your energy and resources are being directed towards your baby, your organs are working differently and your emotional landscape can shift too.

In Chinese medicine, we talk about the importance of qi and blood, and how these resources are transformed and redirected during pregnancy. Rather than trying to interfere with this incredible process, my role is to support your body where it needs it, gently and appropriately.

As an acupuncturist I look at the whole picture — how you're sleeping, eating and digesting, how you're feeling emotionally, how your energy is changing and what physical symptoms you're experiencing — and tailor treatment accordingly.

Because every pregnancy is different.

*Acupuncture Diagram with Chinese Script*

Whatever your pregnancy story

Whilst some women breeze through pregnancy, most of us struggle with some aspects of it.

Let's face it, it's not easy growing a human being!

Perhaps pregnancy took you by surprise and you're struggling to come to terms with what it's all going to mean.

You may not have found it easy to get pregnant and could be finding it hard to trust that everything is OK. And when a baby is much longed for, it can be difficult to express any part of the journey that you're not enjoying; you should just be grateful, right?

Maybe you had some health issues before you got pregnant and your symptoms, changing body and emotions are being triggered.

Or maybe you're just tired and achy and feeling sick.

Whatever your personal story, acupuncture can offer a supporting hand.

The early weeks and months

I remember when I was pregnant with my first baby, I was so nauseous. All day long (whoever decided to call it 'morning' sickness was having a laugh). The only things I could eat were salt and vinegar crisps and oranges!

And what made it so tough was that nobody knew I was pregnant, so I had to pretend I was OK.

Those first few months were rough.

Acupuncture can be used safely in the first few months of pregnancy when given by a practitioner experienced in pregnancy care, and many women find it helpful for things like morning sickness.

Nausea, fatigue, headaches, digestive changes and emotional ups and downs are all common experiences in early pregnancy, and treatment can be tailored to what is happening for you.

From a Chinese medicine perspective, early pregnancy is a time of enormous change. Your body is adjusting to the new life growing inside you, and there is a lot happening beneath the surface.

This is why I tend to work very gently at this stage. Rather than trying to do too much, the aim is to support your body while it finds its new balance.

This can be particularly meaningful if you have experienced baby loss before. The early weeks of a subsequent pregnancy can be filled with hope and joy, but also worry and hyper-vigilance. Having somewhere to talk, to be listened to and to receive gentle treatment can be a valuable part of your support network.

And sometimes, you don't need to do anything other than take a moment to breathe.

The middle bit

Thankfully, for many women, some of the more difficult pregnancy symptoms become easier during the second trimester.

You can now share your news, you may be feeling reassured by the 12-week scan and you might finally start to feel a little more like yourself.

Pregnancy itself is becoming more established, but your body continues to change.

Your bump grows, your posture adapts, your ligaments soften and you may start to experience back, hip or pelvic discomfort. Sleep can change too, and emotions can continue to ebb and flow. Check out the LushTums Pelvic Pain Guide or the Video Collection deals with specific ailments too so you can practice from home.

If you're struggling with ongoing nausea, aches and pains, poor sleep or other symptoms, then more regular treatment might be helpful. But if you're feeling well, you may not need anything at all. Lots of my patients come to see me once a month during this time as a regular point of connection and support. Some just pop in when something has come up.

Acupuncture isn't a one-size-fits-all treatment. Your individual needs are always front and centre.

Sometimes the best treatment is very little treatment at all. Pregnancy is a time of rich energy and big change, and we don't want to interfere unless there is a reason to.

The final stretch

It's amazing how time bends and stretches during pregnancy.

The run-up to the 12-week scan can feel like a lifetime, then you blink and you're 30 weeks in and thinking about birth preparation.

I remember being asked all the time if I was excited and thinking 'that's not the first word that comes to mind'.

There can be impatience, anxiety, fear, discomfort, anticipation and a growing awareness that something enormous is about to happen.

What if your baby is breech?

One of the things that can understandably cause anxiety towards the end of pregnancy is finding out that your baby is breech. If this happens, it's important to have your baby's position confirmed and to talk through your options with your midwife.

One of those options may be moxibustion.

Moxibustion is a practice with deep roots in traditional Chinese medicine and has been used for thousands of years. It involves warming dried mugwort, known as moxa, near a specific point on your little toe. There's some research suggesting it may help encourage babies to turn head down, and many women find it a gentle, relaxing and non-invasive option to try alongside the other choices your midwife discusses with you.

It's usually tried at around weeks 33–35 of pregnancy. This is early enough for your baby to have room to move, but late enough that they're less likely to move straight back again. Moxibustion should only be started once your midwife has confirmed your baby's position, and under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

Preparing for birth

Birth preparation isn't about trying to guarantee the birth you want. None of us can know exactly how our birth will unfold. Instead, I think of it as preparing your body and mind for change.

For much of pregnancy, your body is nourishing, growing and holding. As birth approaches, the focus gradually shifts towards movement, opening and release.

Acupuncture can be part of that preparation, alongside antenatal education, movement, breathing, pregnancy yoga and whatever other forms of support help you feel confident and informed.

Pre-birth acupuncture can provide a regular space to slow down, connect with your body and prepare mentally as well as physically for what lies ahead.

It can also be a lovely ritual during those final weeks — a chance to stop thinking about baby clothes, hospital bags and birth plans for an hour and simply be looked after.

As your estimated due date approaches, it's natural to become increasingly focused on when labour will begin. Family and friends start asking questions, appointments become more frequent and conversations about induction may begin.

Talking of time again, it really slows down here. Many women feel understandably frustrated and uncertain about what their birth is going to be like, and some feel they need more time and information to decide what's right for them and their baby.

Some women come to acupuncture in these final weeks hoping to help their body get ready for labour. Others simply want support as they prepare physically and emotionally for birth. Either way, the focus is on relaxation, rest and helping you feel calm and prepared.

There are times when medical induction is absolutely the right choice, and having good information makes all the difference. You can read all about Induction here.

For me, treatment at this stage is about supporting you through that uncertainty and helping you feel cared for while you wait for your baby to arrive. Learning to listen in and trust what your body can do.

My role is not to force labour to happen. It is to support your body as it gets ready for birth and to help you navigate the final weeks of pregnancy with confidence. You can also join a wonderful LushTums Antenatal Class or Yoga For Birth Workshop to embody how to breahte, move and relax for labour.

Finding the right support

If you're thinking about acupuncture in pregnancy, always see a qualified acupuncturist who is experienced in pregnancy care, and let your midwife know you're having treatment.

And if you'd like to add movement, breath and community to your toolkit, you can find a LushTums pregnancy yoga class near you here.

Katy offers pregnancy acupuncture here in Brighton. To book or find out more, visit her website here.

About KATY BRADSHAW

Katy Bradshaw is a Brighton acupuncturist with 18 years of experience. She has a BSc in Acupuncture and is a member of the British Acupuncture Council. Katy specialises in treating women's health issues including fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, hormonal health and menopause.

"I first came across Lushtums when I was pregnant with my first baby 15 years ago. The supportive environment, gentle yoga and breathwork techniques I learned with Clare were fundamental in preparing me for a beautiful, empowering and natural birth".