Acupuncture and Nausea: Treating Pregnancy Related Nausea with Alternative Medicine

Pregnancy related nausea and vomiting is a common phenomenon among women, particularly in the first and second trimesters. Although there are a number of medications available on the market today that are designed to combat nausea and vomiting, pharmacological solutions are problematic when treating pregnant women. Although some medications, such as over the counter Emetrol, are considered safe to use while pregnant, they are not necessarily approved for morning sickness.1 Most physicians agree that avoiding exposure of the fetus to any unnecessary medication while pregnant is preferable. For an alternative medicine approach to the treatment of pregnancy related nausea, acupuncture has become a popular method explored by many women looking for a non-pharmacological solution to their distress. But is acupuncture a safe method for combating “morning sickness”?

There are differing opinions regarding the safety of acupuncture in pregnant women. Some practitioners feel that the technique is safe and can be very effective for the treatment of pregnancy related nausea, provided that the acupuncturist is aware of the condition of the patient and is careful to avoid utilizing any acupuncture points which might encourage the induction of labor. Other acupuncturists feel that acupuncture is contraindicated for pregnant women, and prefer not to treat them at all.