Pregnancy and Acupuncture: A Good Thing?

The practice of acupuncture dates back 5,000 years. The Chinese, Egyptians, South African Bantu tribe, the Arabs and Eskimos all depended upon it to cure disease and cauterize wounds, using sharp stones, their own fingernails, lengths of bamboo, hot probes of metal, fish bones and tiny arrows. These days, disposable, thin needles the size of a human hair have replaced those primitive implements.

Americans consult acupuncturists about 5 million times per year. The use of acupuncture steadily increases among doctors, dentists and other health practitioners as an alternate to drug therapy or surgery.

The theory behind acupuncture is simple. It is based on a belief that a vital energy called "qi" (chee) flows through the body along pathways called "meridians." Along these meridians are some 2,000 acupuncture points, where the thin needles are inserted to relieve symptoms, restore the balance and cure or prevent disease.

ACUPUNCTURE IN PREGNANCY

Acupuncture is used in pregnancy to benefit both mother and infant. The organ systems of a baby develop in a predictable, recognized order so long as nothing is wrong. But babies are vulnerable even in the womb. They may be assaulted by toxins in the mother's blood, leaving them at risk of higher fevers in childhood, a higher frequency of illness, and increased bouts of eczema and diaper rash. Acupuncture treatments given once a month promote good health of mother and baby. During the last month, treatments once a week help both prepare for the upcoming birth. Most often, acupuncture causes no significant problems for mother or baby.