by Brandy Falcon, LAc

Few things are more exciting and transformational for a woman than having a baby.  Pregnancy is also the most important time for her to manage her health because she's doing so not only for her benefit, but also for the precious being(s) inside.  

Some may be content with the way pregnancy is managed here in U.S. medical centers.  But many women are realizing that there are numerous shortcomings of the Western medical approach to prenatal heath.  Ultrasounds, developmental tests, and daily prenatal vitamins are not enough to ensure a woman's comfort for 40 weeks or for birthing success, especially if she is aiming for a natural delivery.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), practitioners treat the whole person, placing equal emphasis on a woman's physical, emotional, energetic, and mental health.  They realize that a baby's vitality  - in utero and after birth - depends largely on that of the mom.  And because treatment is so individual to a woman's constitution and any imbalances that arise, TCM is becoming increasingly popular with expecting moms who value a holistic approach to health.

Balance is created with acupuncture, herbs, and massage by dilating the energy channels that link up with vital organs in the body.  A woman's Qi (energy) and blood are tonified if weak and regulated if stagnant, creating smooth inner harmony.  From a Western perspective, we engage the sympathetic nervous system and improve immune response.  Most practitioners also advise on whole food nutrition and lifestyle choices, so treatment is very well-rounded.

Are you intrigued?  Let's look at specific ways TCM can help a woman through ALL stages of pregnancy...

Preparing Your Body For Pregnancy
If a women is interested in holistic health and planning a pregnancy, she should start seeing a TCM practitioner at least a three months before conceiving to make sure conditions are just right.  

This is the time to resolve any imbalances such as regulating menstrual cycles, getting her diet on track, managing weight if she desires to lose or gain, and relieve stress.  This all helps to bolster a woman's health, making sure she is producing quality eggs and becoming as fertile as possible.  (To increase your chances conceiving, your partner should be getting treated too!)

Maintaining A Healthy Pregnancy 
Once pregnant, TCM can do wonders for making sure expecting moms stay healthy, strong, and comfortable.

TCM has a remarkable reputation for managing:

• Morning sickness
• Fatigue
• Abdominal & back pain
• Threatened miscarriage
• Edema
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Urine retention

and much more...

Of course practitioners will continue to help a woman with any conditions she had before pregnancy that she does not wish to worsen, like seizures and vertigo.  They can also treat colds or any other illnesses that occur during this time, keeping their immune systems strong.

Breech Babies & A Timely Delivery
Many expecting moms seek out acupuncture & TCM when they are nearing the end of pregnancy, in particular when 2 things arise: (1) breech presentation, and (2) an when they're carrying past their due date and want to avoid hospital induction.

Acupuncture and TCM can only help, but success is not guaranteed - especially if a woman has many imbalances that are contributing to the issue. It's best if a woman is proactive and starts seeing a TCM practitionerwell before these two conditions come up (so please help me educate the expecting women in your life!).

Nevertheless, TCM practitioners can perform moxibustion on woman carrying a breech baby at 33-35 weeks.  It's known to increase fetal activity and create conditions inside the uterus that make it likely for a baby to turn on it's own.  Many studies have been done, and it has been shown to work, but at inconsistent rates.  Again, women are individuals who experience pregnancy differently from each other, and then there is the individuality of the baby.  So, the technique is hard to predict, but is safe and non-invasive, so definitely worth a try!

Women can start preparing their bodies for delivery with TCM treatments one to two times per week, ideally by week 34.  They will help the mom remain relaxed & hopeful, soften the cervix, and make conditions optimum and more inviting for the baby to arrive "on time".

Pain Management For Natural Births
Acupuncture has been scientifically proven to ease pain in many studies, so it's quite natural for laboring women to desire it.  If you're having a home birth, your Acupuncturist may be thrilled to help you out, so go ahead and ask!  They can attend hospital births as well, but there are usually rules around this (like acupuncturists needing to be contracted with the hospitals), so you and your practitioner may need to look into that some more.

Typically, auricular (ear) acupuncture is used during labor to allow for the woman to move in any position necessary.  Sometimes a point on the hand, Large Intestine 4, is used as well.  These points can be stimulated at any stage of labor.  

Note that while acupuncture can help with pain from abnormal uterine contractions, it can't correct malposition or malpresentation of the baby at this stage. Therefore, it may not help as much with pain if ill-fitting position of the baby is the reason for it.

Postnatal Support
There is more healing to be done after birth!  TCM can address the following changes in a woman's health after having her baby:

• Regulation of milk flow
• Mastitis
• Post-partum depression
• Weight loss
• Constipation
• Hemorrhoids
• Joint pain
• Spontaneous sweating

and more...

Since women are so focused on their baby at this stage, it's important that their partners are aware of these conditions and can encourage the mom to seek help if problems come up.  

Even if there are no post-natal concerns, it would be a good idea to see a practitioner for wellness visits.  Just relaxing on a table for an hour of acupuncture can do wonders in resetting a new mom's mood and helping her prioritize self-care.  

Pediatric TCM
Care comes full circle with the treatment of babies.    

You can read more on TCM Pediatrics here:
Chinese Medicine Is Great For Kids!  Here's 7 Reasons Why...

(Note that TCM practitioners can be primary care providers and track development of children if choosing not to see a pediatrician for wellness visits.)

Families raised with acupuncture, herbs, and whole food nutrition take responsibility for their health, have a greater appreciation for the healing capacity of their bodies, and learn to live in harmony with nature. 

So, it's up to you moms!  You are the core of your family; the choices you make impact everyone.  And I'm positive that choosing TCM to care for your health is a wonderful first step in creating the family of your dreams.

Do you know a woman who is planning a pregnancy or who is currently pregnant and interested in holistic care?  Please forward this post to them!  And let me know if you have any questions in the comments.

If you enjoyed this article and want more holistic self-care advice, please see Brandy's website at www.falconhealingarts.com.

Well wishes to you all...

Resources

Cardini F. & Weixin H. (1998). Moxibustion for correction of breech presentation: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA 280(18), 1580-1584. 

Coyle ME, Smith CA, & Peat B. (2012) Cephalic version by moxibustion for breech presentation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 5. Art. No: CD003928. 

Maciocia, G. (1998)  Obstetrics & Gynecology in Chinese Medicine.  Churchill Livingstone Publishing, United Kingdom 

Vas J, Aranda-Regules JM, Modesto M, et al. (2013). Acupuncture Medicine 31: 31-38. 

by Jackie Lai, RPYT

​My yoga journey started 15 years ago after a bad bike accident left my left side completely weak. With no strength in my left side at all, I hoped yoga would relieve the pain and strengthen my shoulders and arms. As expected, Yoga helped with the strengthening part, but no matter how much I did, how much “letting go” I tried, my shoulders were still constantly locked up.

Fifteen years of chronic shoulder, neck and back pain and lots of treatment later, my neck and shoulders still felt no differently. I owned every single massage tool and gadget available on the market and my husband even joked that I was single-handedly keeping the massage tool industry alive! I took classes and studied therapeutic forms of yoga, but no matter what I did, what treatment I underwent, my neck and shoulders constantly hurt from being tight, or a pinch in the nerve. There were even times I couldn’t turn my head.

I finally found a sports therapist Dr. Steve Capobianco who helped with my shoulder and neck and also introduced me to the therapy balls. He worked the tissues in my shoulders and also showed me how to roll out the areas of tension and the knots in the neck. Together with his wife Robyn, they founded Functional Flow, and I learned and studied more about how the body is connected through different fascial chains and layers. I discovered that rolling out my feet released tension in my hamstrings, lower back, and even my shoulders! It was wild!

I started to roll my feet and shoulders every day and slowly saw improvement. I could feel every knot in my shoulder as the balls rolled over every tight bump! Whenever I feel an ache or tightness coming anywhere, I go to my balls. They have helped to relieve tightness everywhere one could imagine. They have become my best buddies – hence the name. I go everywhere with them, and have them on the plane with me when I travel. On long drives, sometimes I even put them between my back and the seat.

As a prenatal yoga teacher, I hear time and again that women assume that just because they are pregnant they expect to experience back pain. My goal is to help moms-to- be relieve their pain by teaching them the correct moves and strengthening they need to feel better. Teaching my class is one conduit for me to introduce these amazing therapy balls to women who need them. Mind you, of course anyone with a body could benefit from them!

Don’t underestimate these little buddies! While they look like any ‘ol ball, everything about them is chosen for a reason. Their rubber surface is meant to be grippy, so it grips to the skin and underlying fascial layers and also the wall or floor surface that it’s being rolled on. Its density is also chosen so that they are not too hard, but have some give under a person’s weight. Too soft though, and it doesn’t give enough pressure into the muscles. The size is also meant to replicate a massage therapist’s thumb pressing into a sore spot. They are also small enough so they fit into body’s nooks and crannies.

Try them out, I hope they become your best buddies too!

Learn how to get the most out of your own Tendher Buddies at Jackie's workshop on June 25, 2017.

Less than a year ago I received news that instantly changed my life. I found out that my dad had Parkinson's, and that it was progressing quickly. So much ran through my head upon hearing the news. My brain spiraled out of control with scary thoughts... fear, sadness, uncertainty. I did what I always do in those difficult times, I turned to my mat. 

In fact, I found myself returning to my mat over and over again. More than I ever had before. I realized that as my father was losing control of his body, I wanted to take control of my own. I knew deep down that the only way to accelerate my practice, and ultimately the connection I had with body, was to jump into teacher training. 

Upon entering a 200 hour program, I had no desire to teach. To my surprise, the more I stood in front of the room, the more comfortable I became. I began to love teaching others how to drop in and connect with their own bodies. The gratitude from seeing my students' contentment after class was my new passion. 

I was beyond elated to take my first gig at Blossom to teach a new community class, open to the public. Every Tuesday night is a new experience for me. Every class I teach I feel strong, confident, and all of the negative thoughts in my head disappear for that hour. There are some things in life that are out of our control. In my case, for everything else, there is yoga. 

​Join Stef for Vinyasa Flow on Tuesdays at 7:15pm.