Pregnancy Research

It is estimated that this happens in about 20% of all pregnancies although if all were recorded it could be as high as 40%.  There are many reasons for a miscarriage, chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo, hormonal deficiencies, an immune reaction against the embryo, infections, coeliac disease, uterine malformation or incomplete cervix, stress or trauma, and fibroids.

It is worth mentioning that not all vaginal bleeding will indicate a miscarriage.  In early pregnancy it is common for a small amount of bleeding to occur as the embryo is embedding into the uterine wall.  From a Chinese Medicine viewpoint, a miscarriage suggests disharmony in the conception and penetrating vessels which is responsible for gathering the blood and nourishing the foetus.  This comes about due to Kidney yang or yin deficiency, qi and blood deficiency, spleen qi sinking or blood heat.  There are many treatment options depending on what the individual Chinese diagnosis is.  The sooner the treatment begins the better the outcome.  If a woman has experienced more than one miscarriage, we would suggest treatment for the months leading up to conception to build strong kidney qi to prevent further miscarriages.  We would also address diet and lifestyle factors that may be contributing to such deficiencies.

Although there is no way of knowing the causative factors at the time of a threatened miscarriage there remains potential for early pregnancy support using Acupuncture to reduce stress.  This is done by nourishing qi and blood.  This is thought to have a positive effect on progesterone production, stress hormones, immune function, qi and blood.  Acupuncture has been used historically to prevent miscarriage and is recommended in traditional teachings.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309632700_Does_acupuncture_have_a_role_in_the_treatment_of_threatened_miscarriage_Findings_from_a_feasibility_randomised_trial_and_semi-structured_participant_interviews

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/027d/637d2d98f11624ff12e0dce6772bb951051b.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31621254

Birch, S & Lewith, G 2008,Acupuncture research: the story so far. In:Macpherson, H, Hammerschlag, R, Lewith, G & Schnyer, RN (eds.) Acupuncture research: strategies for establishing an evidence base.Edinburgh, Elsevier.

Deadman, P, Al-Khafaji, M & Baker, K 2001,A manual of acupuncture.Hove, London Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications.

Lyttleton, J 2004,Treatment of infertility with Chinese medicine.Edinburgh,Churchill Livingston.

Maciocia, G 1998,Obstetrics & gynecology in Chinese medicine, New York, Churchill Livingstone.

West, Z 2001,Acupuncture in pregnancy and childbirth.Edinburgh, Churchill Livingstone.

This occurs in about half of pregnancies and can happen at any time of the day and sometimes reoccurs throughout the pregnancy.  It can range from mild nausea to severe vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum) that needs medical assistance. The cause is thought to be related to high hormone levels such as HCG and oestrogen which overwhelms the woman’s system.  It is understood in Chinese Medicine that this creates a disordered function of the Penetrating vessel which interferes with the descending action of the Stomach qi leading to rebellious qi which presents itself as nausea and vomiting.  There are several patterns here that Acupuncture can help to correct.  While having treatment Nicky and Elaine will also discuss triggers of nausea, dietary and lifestyle changes that are known to help.  When treating morning sickness, a woman may require more frequent treatments depending on the severity of her symptoms. It is our clinical experience and data that is showing us that treatment using Acupuncture for nausea and vomiting is very beneficial.

https://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/acupuncture/research/morning-sickness/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11843784

https://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=27775

During pregnancy there is an increase in circulating blood volume and increasing estrogen levels.  This can have a direct impact on the nasal mucosa leading to inflammation and increased gland activity.  This can leave women vulnerable to sinus infections or aggravate a pre-existing Sino nasal condition.  Leaving the person with blocked nasal passages, postnasal drip, localised pain, headaches, and purulent nasal discharge.  When treating pregnant women with this condition we have seen good results using acupuncture.  In Chinese Medicine it is understood that an acute attack is due to invasion of wind-heat that impairs the descending function of the Lung qi.  In a chronic condition it is due to Spleen qi deficiency allowing dampness to accumulate.  Often eating an abundance of damp forming foods such as dairy, sugar or an excess amount of cold foods with exacerbate this condition.

https://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=28181

Sleep disturbances in pregnancy are very common.  There are a variety of reasons for this.  In the first trimester there are rapid changes taking place within the woman’s body that is influence by the high levels of circulating pregnancy hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. In early pregnancy many women suffer from nausea that disrupts their sleep, increase urinary frequency occurs as the uterus and developing baby is moving up out of the pelvis, breathing difficulty from congested sinuses, sleep apnea and mood disorders.  Later in pregnancy it is related to discomfort from the developing baby putting pressure on the woman’s pelvis, back or ribs; heartburn, increased urination from pressure applied on the bladder as the baby then begins to descend into the pelvis, oedema, stress and anxiety.

Acupuncture is very effective in treating insomnia with many clients falling asleep during treatment.

Treatment may involve the recommendation of supplements, stress management, diet, and lifestyle changes.

https://www.meridian-acupuncture-clinic.com/Acupuncture-for-Pregnancy-and-Insomnia.html

The safest position for a baby to be in prior to birth is cephalic anterior position with a well flexed head.  Most babies have achieved this by 32 weeks gestation with only 4% remaining in a breech presentation at term (Cruikshank 1986).  The cause of a baby presenting in a breech position is unknown but may result from placenta praevia , uterine abnormalities, multiple gestation giving way to poor uterine tone, prematurity, babies small for their gestational age, older mothers,  there is a higher rate seen in female babies and primigravidae.

In Chinese Medicine it is understood that the root cause of breech presentation is the result of Kidney qi (energy) deficiency.  Deadman (2007) describes the kidneys role is to nourish and control the development of the baby throughout the months of pregnancy.  As the mother approaches the third trimester of her pregnancy yin reaches its peak (yin energy is needed to facilitate the rapid development of the baby),  then as the mother enters the third trimester, yang must begin to mature in order to facilitate the turning of the baby into a cephalic anterior position preparing for the birth. If there is insufficient yang energy then there is a greater chance that the baby will settle into a breech position.  If it is deficient or stagnant then yang must be stimulated.  The most powerful point to do this is Zhiyin bladder 67 on the yang bladder channel especially when using the yang heat of moxibustion (specially prepared herb Artemis vulgaris).  It is important to note that this channel is coupled with the yin Kidney channel at its terminal point.  Cardini (1998) hypothesised that moxa to BL67 may stimulate the adrenals which heightens the sensitivity of the miometrium.  This in turn alters the relationship between the F and E prostoglandins and increases the contractility of the uterine muscle.  This would stimulate foetal movements and the likelihood of the baby turning.

Using Acupuncture to turn breech presentations is a non–invasive method that originates from Traditional Chinese Medicine.  It involves the use of moxibustion to stimulate Zhiyin BL67 an acupuncture point of the bladder channel.  This point is located on the outer corner of the fifth toenail.

The data that we are collecting in our clinic on such cases is indicating a success rate of 90% for cases that present prior to 36 weeks and 85% for cases that present after 36 weeks.  We have even had cases that turn at 39 weeks.  As soon as you learn that your baby is in the breech position you should seek treatment.  This treatment requires an initial appointment for assessment and treatment which will involve acupuncture and training on how to use moxa each day over certain points, then a follow up assessment and treatment is given 2 weeks later.

Occiput Presentation

An occipital position is when the baby has its back turned towards the mothers back.  This can cause lower back ache for the mother. This position is more commonly seen in mothers who have a sedentary lifestyle whereby her pelvis has been held mostly in a backward tilt encouraging baby to settle in a posterior position.  It could also be the shape of a woman’s pelvis that has contributed to this position as well.   A baby presenting in this position when going into labour is known to attribute to increase length of labour, a prolonged latent phase (trying to establish labour), more intense pain while in labour as the baby tries to makes its way down the birth canal which often results in an instrumental birth.  When a baby enters the birth canal in an occiput position it finds it more difficult to tuck its chin onto its chest allowing for the smallest diameter of the head (the crown) to present first.  Instead its head presents in a more deflexed position, being the larger diameter presenting first making it more difficult to birth vaginally.  The TCM treatment principle is like that of a breech presentation, nourish kidney yang to facilitate the shift into a more anterior position. There will be a focus on pelvic position as well to give the baby the space to do this.

Cruikshank: https://journals.lww.com/clinicalobgyn/Citation/1986/06000/Breech_Presentation.8.aspx

Cardini: http s://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9820259/

Deadman P, Al-Khafaji M, Baker K; 2007, A Manual of Acupuncture.