Pregnancy Care
So, you’ve got a positive test. Congratulations! Now what?
Do you brace yourself for the nausea, aches and pains, swollen feet and fatigue you’ve heard so many women talk about? Take your prenatal and hope for the best until you start thinking about how you might like to birth?
You don’t have to do it on your own. Support during pregnancy, from the early days of the first trimester all the way to the end and into birth can pave the way for better birth and postpartum outcomes.
The first trimester
During the first trimester, the focus of Chinese Medicine is on supporting your growing connection to bub, and their connection to you as they grow. We call it ‘calming the foetus’, treatments usually involve acupuncture, supportive herbal formulas and maybe some warming moxibustion. It definitely includes a cup of tea and a rest on my warm treatment table!
No two pregnancies are alike, and your journey to this point may have come with some big emotions from previous losses , birth trauma and other challenges. It’s really important that we also focus on ‘calming your Shen’ which is akin to supporting your emotions. By regulating your nervous system we nourish your capacity to adjust to the changes in your hormones and hold space for whatever might come up for you. Pregnancy care is a team effort, linking you in with other supportive services may also be suggested.
Weekly appointments are recommended through this time, so find a time that works best for you and schedule them in.
The second trimester
Most people by this point are feeling pretty good, and you can start to come in a little less. Monthly acupuncture appointments with a little bit of herbal support if needed is adequate at this stage. If things change and gestational diabetes or aches and pains etc. creep in we can up the ante and try fortnightly, or weekly if things have really hit the fan, adjusting your herbs along the way to suit your needs.
Herbal support is fantastic during the second trimester to build your reserves up for the enormous growth baby does in trimester 3, it’s also the best time to choose nourishing foods for yourself. My focus is on nourishing your Spleen (Chinese Medicine for digestive system in a nutshell), and I continue to calm your Shen and nourish qi and blood.
If you’re aiming for a VBAC, have a history of breech or transverse babies (or maybe you were one yourself) I’ll work on keeping things nice and open so bub can be encouraged into a good position early on.
Shout out to all the HG (hyperemesis gravidarum) women who absolutely cannot get off the floor yet - I see you. And I’m here and ready (with a big bowl in my arms) to support you through that too.
This is also great time to engage a pelvic floor physio, and think about what your birth hopes are and seek out your perfect birth team, I have some great Doula and Private Midwife recommendations.
The third trimester
Woohoo you’re almost there!!! As you head towards the big day, my focus is on ‘calming the Shen’ and regulating your qi so that energy and blood circulate freely in the body allowing things to soften and open into birth.
The golden glow of your second trimester might start to feel a little heavy now, fatigue can set back in and an aching back, lightning crutch AKA pubic symphysis and acid reflux might be what all the ladies are talking about but it doesn’t have to be that way! Treat symptoms like these early, you want a full battery for birth.
Birth preparation can begin from 34 weeks, if you’ve been cruising along well weekly appointments kick back in here (earlier if there have been some hiccups). At 35 weeks you and your birth partner/s might like to book a private session with me to learn all about the wonders of acupressure for labour preparation and birth. There will be tea, handouts and hands on demonstrations. Getting comfortable with acupressure at this time gives you a head start should an induction or c-section come up quickly.
If this is your first baby, or you tend to overcook them, it’s a good idea to book 2 appointments in weeks 41 and 42. I don’t mind a cancellation, but I hate not being able to fit you in when you really need it.
It’s a fabulous idea to start preparing for your postpartum or fourth trimester by cooking ahead, and lining up support and help from family and friends in advance. Writing a birth plan AND a postpartum plan is magic. I will suggest some wonderful lactation consultants/pelvic floor physios and perinatal OT/mental health clinicians if you’re not sure who’s available.
Whatever your model of care you choose, this is a sacred time. Setting yourself up with support throughout your pregnancy will never be something you regret.
Maddie