Acupuncture for Pregnancy & Postpartum: Here’s What You Need To Know
Acupuncture is a safe and gentle way to care for your body during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Whether you’re fighting morning sickness, preparing for labour, or trying to recover (and adjust to parenthood) after a vaginal delivery or c-section, it can help you feel more comfortable in your body and mind.
Keep reading to better understand pre- and postnatal acupuncture and how it can be a tool to help you take care of yourself during this beautiful—and chaotic and challenging and confusing and uncomfortable—phase of life.
Prenatal Acupuncture in the Greater Vancouver Area
Capria Care Collective offers therapeutic care for parents and parents-to-be. Conveniently located in the heart of Coquitlam, our clinic has tons of 5-star reviews. And our acupuncturists would love to help you next!
Prefer to skip the reading and get straight to the relief?
Acupuncture For Pregnancy
Uncomfortable during your pregnancy? That makes sense. All the hormonal, physical, and emotional changes you undergo while preparing for parenthood can put a big strain on your body and mind. This is why—if you can access it—self-care during pregnancy is so helpful. And acupuncture is an excellent type of self-care for you.
We love acupuncture for pregnancy because it’s a safe and drug-free way to help alleviate many of the discomforts our pregnant patients experience. It can provide relief from tons of physical pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness, fatigue, and pelvic and lower back pain. But it can also help with emotional symptoms, hormonal imbalances, and low energy levels. (Win-win!)
Acupuncture can even help you prepare your body for labour as you get closer to your due date. Some pregnant folks even get acupuncture to try and induce labour if they’re overdue!
Here’s a quick (and non-exhaustive) list of pregnancy-related symptoms that acupuncture can help with:
Nausea and vomiting from morning sickness
Fatigue
Headaches
Body aches
Sciatica
Swelling (Sometimes referred to as “Edema”)
Back pain
Insomnia
Anxiety
Muscle cramps
Acupuncture for Back and Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy
During early pregnancy, most people seek out acupuncture for symptoms like morning sickness and fatigue. But as the months tick on and the baby grows, some bodies struggle to adjust to the added weight. That “struggle” can cause back pain or sciatica. For some people, that pain is just a minor inconvenience. But for others, it can become a big deal.
This type of pain (along with many other types of pain related to pregnancy) typically goes untreated. Medical providers are understandably weary of certain pain medications during pregnancy. And, the alternative medicines and pain management options available become more and more limited as pregnancy progresses. As a result, pregnant people experiencing pain are often told their pain is “normal” or made to feel like it’s “no big deal.”
Don’t get us started on how much we loathe when people who identify as women are told that their pain “is normal” or “isn’t a problem.” That’s a conversation for another day…
For now, we’ll just say that if you’re in this situation, acupuncture is a fantastic option for you! Because it’s one of the few safe and effective treatments for these types of pain during pregnancy! And unlike IMS needling in physiotherapy, it’s safe during all trimesters and the postpartum period.
Side note: If you’re experiencing pelvic pain, we’d recommend pelvic floor physio, too.
Acupuncture For Postpartum
Acupuncture comes from Chinese Medicine and, in Chinese Medicine, the first 30 days after birth are very important.
It’s said that the way a new parent cares for their body during this time can carry over and affect them for the rest of their life. So in the realm of alternative medicine, caring for a new parent, or helping them care for themselves, is critical! (Are you listening, society??) Acupuncture is one way to take good care of your body during this period.
The idea is that, during pregnancy, a pregnant person gives much of their energy and “life force” to their baby. So after birth, that parent is drained and their body is left vulnerable. Postpartum acupuncture treatments are meant to strengthen your life force (or “qi”), supporting you on your path to healing and thriving in parenthood.
Beyond that, postpartum acupuncture can help you with:
Postnatal body aches and pains
Constipation
Fatigue
Hemorrhoids
Insufficient lactation
Mastitis
Pelvic pain
C-section-related pain
Constipation
Night sweats
Hormonal imbalances
(Hemorrhoid-free postpartum? We love that for you!)
The Risks of Acupuncture During Pregnancy & Postpartum
Let us start by saying that acupuncture is safe during all trimesters and the postpartum period. The most common risk or downside is soreness or redness from inserting a needle—but that’s only if it’s placed too deep.
There are several “contraindicated acupuncture points” during pregnancy—but acupuncturists are specifically trained not to use them on a pregnant person, so they never will.
If you’re interested in learning more about those acupuncture points, ask your acupuncturist. They are fully informed about the contraindications and would be happy to explain why they’re off-limits.
FYI: At Capria, our acupuncturists are…
Mindful, socially conscious practitioners
Registered with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners & Acupuncturists (always)
Trained to integrate traditional acupuncture with modern wellness techniques
Educated on pain management, hormonal health, and fertility.
And, above all else, they will put your comfort and trust first. Our practitioners are held accountable to incredibly high standards. You will never be touched, poked, or treated without your consent.
If you have questions about our training, certifications, or process, reach out and we’ll get you the answers you need.
What To Expect During Your Acupuncture Treatment
Booking your first appointment can be intimidating. If you decide to book with us at Capria, there are a few things we want you to know:
Before you arrive, every touchpoint in your room will be sanitized.
During your first appointment, your acupuncturist will ask you a series of questions to get to know you and understand your general state of well-being. They might also look at your tongue, check your radial pulses, and assess any areas of pain or concern.
The needles we use are hair-thin, single-use, and sterile—so you know you're safe.
If you're pregnant, you'll be given plenty of plush pillows and we’ll help you find a safe, comfy, relaxing position to lie down in.
Needles are optional! Don’t like needles? That’s okay. Our acupuncturists are trained in needle-free techniques—like cupping, gua sha, and ear seeds—which all offer similar benefits.
Get Immediate And Lasting Relief With Gentle Acupuncture
Our knowledgeable acupuncturists are standing by and ready to help you have the comfiest pregnancy and postpartum experience you possibly can!
Complete the form below to book your first (or next) acupuncture appointment. Or email us with any questions you have.
