It’s no secret that acupuncture is used by many women to get pregnant. Once pregnant, they don’t know if they should keep scheduling appointments with their practitioner. 

The answer is YES… 100%! Acupuncture during pregnancy is a safe, compassionate, and drug-free way to receive many benefits for the growing baby and mother.  We encourage patients to start or continue acupuncture throughout pregnancy as long as they feel comfortable and relaxed.
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First Trimester

• Fatigue or low energy
• Morning Sickness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Miscarriage prevention if a prior loss
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First Trimester Support

We see patients A LOT during their first trimester to address fatigue, morning sickness, and headaches. During the first trimester appointments we will address the following:

• Vitamins – the quality and timing of your vitamins is important especially if you have severe morning sickness
• Digestive enzymes or herbs – depending on your specific nausea symptoms we may recommend digestive enzymes, peppermint tea or ginger tea
• Dietary recommendations – depending on your symptoms sometimes small adjustments can make a difference
• Water intake
• Discuss questions you have about your first trimester of pregnancy
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Second Trimester

• Indigestion, reflux, and heartburn
• Gallbladder dysfunction
• Gestational diabetes
• Edema
• Hemorrhoids
• High blood pressure
• General aches and pains
• Previous second trimester loss
• Signs of false labor or early labor
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Second Trimester Support

Most pregnant women feel healthy, energetic, and calm during the second trimester and they often wonder if they should still come in for appointments during this time. I say “You’re always welcome at ilumina even if you don’t have any complaints.” There are many benefits to second-trimester acupuncture that can carry over into your third trimester like slowing down excessive weight gain. During your second trimester treatments we will address the following:

• Vitamins – assess and adjust vitamins and probiotics for digestive support
• Dietary recommendations to support gallbladder function. Appendicitis and gallbladder disease are the most common non-obstetric surgeries conducted during pregnancy.
• If you have a history of gestational diabetes, acupuncture can provide blood sugar support along with dietary recommendations. Gestational diabetes can result in overweight babies and may contribute to PCOS in baby girls. 

Third Trimester

• Pre-eclampsia
• Carpal tunnel
• Swollen feet, ankles, and legs
• Back Pain
• Pelvic Pain
• Breech position
• Non-productive contractions
• Induction of labor

Third Trimester Support

Acupuncture is great for general aches and pains during those final weeks and days of pregnancy. We encourage patients to schedule weekly acupuncture for the last 4 weeks of pregnancy to begin labor and delivery support. Acupuncture is great for relaxing pelvic muscles and dilating the cervix. 

Many OB’s will send their overdue patient to ilumina for labor induction acupuncture. We typically use electro-acupuncture to engage the uterus and start contractions. Induction acupuncture assists with the baby's descent into the birth canal.
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Third Trimester Timeline

• 28 Weeks: The baby should be head down by 28 weeks. 
• 32 Weeks: An acupuncture and moxa protocol to turn the baby should be implemented by week 32 before the baby gets too big. 
• 36 Weeks: Weekly acupuncture supports the natural transition to prepare for birth
• 38 Weeks: Labor inductions treatment can be started at 38 weeks 

Fourth Trimester (Postpartum)

• Night Sweats
• Milk Supply
• Pelvic Floor/Uterus Support
• Incontinence
• Abdominal Separation
• Postpartum Depression
• Postpartum Insomnia
• Postpartum Anxiety
• C-Section Scar Therapy

Fourth Trimester (Postpartum) Support

Acupuncture is a great way to regain balance to your body and hormones after the birth of your little one.  We see many patients for milk supply support, post-labor aches, scar therapy, and postpartum depression/anxiety. It’s never too early or too late to address postpartum imbalances. You always have a place here at ilumina Healing Sanctuary. 

At ilumina we are focused on taking care of women through all the fertility and pregnancy transitions. We are here to support you through your entire motherhood journey.