Pregnancy
Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture promote preventative care to strengthen the mother and baby, as well as dealing with problems during pregnancy.
Pre-birth acupuncture can deal with the problems that present themselves at several stages of pregnancy, as well as enhance the prospects of an efficient, natural labour. From the first sign of conception, up to giving birth, Birga supports women through their pregnancy stages and prepares them for labour.
Acupressure is a great alternative to pain relief. A few weeks before labour, usually around 36 weeks of gestation, Birga will offer a one-hour acupressure session to you and your support person(s). Acupressure can make a great difference in the pain experienced during labour. It is self-administered or applied by a support person during labour.
Post-partum care for problems in the first 6 weeks, all the way up to 4 months after giving birth, is also a major part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture to promote recovery.
After giving birth the body can become unbalanced and exhausted, resulting in all sorts of mental and physical health problems. It is important for the new mother that she takes time to recover, takes physical rest at every opportunity, and exercises appropriately while being supplemented by a diet that builds up her blood and Qi to avoid over-exhaustion.
The combined use of Eastern and Western medicine can be an effective approach to produce healthy babies!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re pregnant, it is safest to only have acupuncture for problems that occur during your pregnancy or to support you through the pregnancy stages. However, certain circumstances like nausea during pregnancy can benefit from a Ginseng supplement – but this should only be prescribed by your professional practitioner.
Emotions can sometimes become quite intense and overwhelming during pregnancy. According to Chinese Medicine, your emotions can affect related organs and can result in a pattern of disharmony within the body. Acupuncture can then work to re-balance the body and mind by using either calming points or choosing specific points to ensure sure that the energy in the body flows smoothly.
Upon insertion of an acupuncture needle, many people report feeling nothing, a slight sting, a slight tingling feeling or a heavy-weighted sensation.
Acupuncture needles are very fine, disposable needles. They are hair-thin, so they are much finer than those used for injections or sewing and are only used once. Patients will often feel a sensation of well-being and a natural, relaxed state during and after the treatment.
Acupuncture is generally considered to be safe, but occasionally (as with all health treatments), may be associated with possible adverse health reactions in individual cases.
At Perth Hills Acupuncture, Birga uses the highest quality, sterile, single-use needles and maintains strict infection control standards. Birga is a fully qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner and a member of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA) as well as the Australian National Therapies Association (ANTA).
In July 2012 the National Registration for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture profession was introduced to ensure the safety and protection of the public by regulating practice and ensuring the highest standards of education.
According to the Health Practitioner National Law Act (National Law) only practitioners registered with the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA) can use the title ‘registered acupuncturist’. Birga is registered with the CMBA and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Please ask if you have any questions regarding the safety of acupuncture and make sure to inform your practitioner about serious illnesses, especially easy bruising and problems with blood clotting. Always check that you are being treated by a licensed acupuncturist.
Acupuncture and Western medicine work very well together and can even complement each other. Having worked in multimodality practices before; Birga is experienced in working together with medical health providers such as general practitioners, chiro’s, counsellors, naturopaths, Bowen and massage therapists to develop a comprehensive and supportive treatment plan that offers the best out of all medical practice.
Always inform your doctor or other health practitioner(s) if you are undergoing acupuncture treatment.