Pregnancy Resources

A healthy pregnancy is very important. For this reason, Coastal Roots Health Centre is happy to provide you with an array of free pregnancy resources! Our hope is that this free information will help you have the most rewarding pregnancy possible.

Enjoy. And please feel free to share with your friends and family. Additionally, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

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Anatomy

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Chiropractic, Pregnancy and Pediatrics

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Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine for Pregnancy, Fertility & Postnatal Care

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Infertility

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have been used for over 2000 years to help treat infertility. The cultural emphasis on maintaining family lineage in Traditional China greatly influenced and prioritized treating infertility with Chinese Medicine. Thus it has grown to be a very effective field of the medicine.

Whether alone or used in conjunction with IVF or IUI treatments, Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine have yielded amazing results at increasing conception rates, and supporting the health of the embryo/fetus throughout the entire pregnancy. This is done by regulating blood flow to the reproductive organs, balancing hormones, and regulating the menstrual cycle in women. In this way, it can treat nearly any cause of infertility. Treatments can also influence the successful implantation of the embryo in the uterine lining during IVF. Therefore acupuncture treatments should be scheduled on the day of the embryo transfer, if you are using it in conjunction with these reproductive therapies.

To learn more about the research and reviews of acupuncture and fertility, visit the Australian Author, Acupuncturist, and Researcher Jane Lyttleton’s website here. This is where she presents all the most recent research confirming its effectiveness.

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Miscarriage Prevention

A threatened miscarriage can be a very traumatic and scary experience. After seeing her midwife or medical doctor to order diagnostic tests, there often isn’t much a woman feels she can do except for wait and rest. As well as try to cope the best she can with her fear.

However, Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can make a transformational difference in such periods. Because, instead of waiting and feeling powerless, a woman can come for Acupuncture where her doctor can calm her spirits, raise and consolidate her vital energy, reduce stress, increase blood flow to the reproductive organs, and balance her endocrine system.  In this way, Acupuncture can truly play a pivotal role in helping keep the baby healthy, and to full-term.

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Prenatal Care

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine offer women a safe and effective way to make their pregnancy the most healthy, happy, and beautiful experience possible. With its natural and holistic approach, acupuncture can treat morning sickness, heartburn, varicose veins, musculoskeletal pain, and many other uncomfortable symptoms that may arise. In addition to resolving any condition or symptom, acupuncture also works to reduce stress, build immunity, and promote the development of a healthy fetus. Thus enabling the highest vitality in both the mother and the child.

Here is a list of some of the conditions acupuncture can treat:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Heartburn
  • Constipation
  • Varicose veins
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Musculoskeletal conditions
  • Fatigue and exhaustion
  • Anemia
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Thrush and abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Sinusitis
  • Pregnancy-induced hypertension
  • Edema (fluid retention)
  • Small for dates babies
  • Breech and posterior positioned babies

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PreBirth

Balancing a woman’s health through acupuncture, one month leading up to birth, is integral to a better birthing experience.  Then, weekly treatments after the 36-week mark enable the practitioner to “ripen the cervix.” As well as to help position the baby in the best presentation for labour, and boost the energy and stamina within the woman–energy that is very much required of her during labour. In this way, these simple treatments can have profound results. Additionally, research shows PreBirth Acupuncture can reduce induction rates, epidural rates, caesarean rates, and can even shorten the labour period by hours.

Debra Betts compiled data of 14 midwives on 169 women as part of their midwifery practice in Wellington, New Zealand. The data found that when comparing all caregivers (Midwives GP’s and Specialists), to those women who had received prebirth acupuncture, there was:

  • An overall 35% reduction in the number of inductions (for women having their first baby this was a 43% reduction)
  • A 31% reduction in the epidural rate.

When comparing midwifery only care to women receiving prebirth acupuncture, there was a:

  • 32% reduction in emergency caesarean delivery
  • A 9 % increase in normal vaginal births.
  • There was no difference in the onset of early labour in those women receiving prebirth acupuncture.

For further information on research into prebirth acupuncture, click here to visit Debra Betts’ website.

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Induction

Acupuncturists and Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctors are also able to promote a natural labour by promoting proper energy flow within the woman. While it is only advised to have an induction if you are past your due date, or have a specific condition requiring one, acupuncture in such situations is a safe, effective, and natural method.

By inducing labour with acupuncture, the mother can avoid the western medical induction, which usually involves a hospital stay and the administration of synthetic prostaglandins. Once in the hospital, women are more likely to have their membranes artificially ruptured or be prescribed syntocinon intravenously to induce contractions. While inducing labour is often necessary for post-term babies (i.e. when there is a premature rupture of membranes or for women with specific health conditions), hormonally-inducing the labour often leads to more painful contractions. As well as a higher rate of epidural anesthesia, which then increases the odds of further interventions. Such as the use of forceps or caesarean delivery.

Therefore, inducing the labour with acupuncture not only is a more comfortable and holistic method, but will also increase your chances of having a natural childbirth.

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Postpartum

Taking time to care for health and well-being is crucial for the mother’s recovery during the first four weeks following childbirth.  Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine play an integral role in helping the mom return back to her full strength and vitality, and can address any associated conditions that arise at this time. For example, acupuncture can resolve persistent uterine bleeding, after-pains, postoperative healing, hemorrhoids, perineal discomfort, breast-feeding problems, exhaustion, night sweats, insomnia, and postnatal depression.

Therefore, Acupuncture treatments are recommended once a week commencing from 2 weeks postpartum for a total of 3 weeks, or until conditions are resolved. This is in order to promote full vitality, strength, and stamina in the new Mother.

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Menopause

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine works wonderfully at easing the often-uncomfortable transition into menopause. This is because each treatment is tailored to the unique individual, and can therefore treat the numerous symptoms of menopause, while promoting other health benefits. In this way, Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can resolve hot flashes, night sweats, and emotional upsets. As well as increase energy, improve appetite, reduce insomnia, improve circulation, and relieve depression and anxiety. Since the dawn of time, women have been able to manage their menopausal symptoms without hormone replacements or prescription drugs, and you can too! With Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, you can reclaim your health and vitality during your golden years (I  doubt many menopause-age women like to think of themselves as already in to their golden years) and continue to pursue your life passions and professions symptom-free.

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Midwifery, Lactation Consultation & Doula Services

Ask in office about our available midwife, doula, and lactation consultation services.