Mamas have unique health challenges, and acupuncture and herbal medicine offer a variety of treatment options geared to their needs. Living in Portland with my husband and two children, I am passionate about providing high-quality health care with real, approachable support for women during prenatal and postnatal timeframes. The therapies recommended fall within strict safety standards for mother and baby, whether mom is pregnant, nursing, or beyond.
My Commitment to Prenatal Care Using Chinese Medicine
It’s imperative to me to have prenatal acupuncture for mothers looking to ensure a healthy pregnancy. It’s a fact that prenatal acupuncture treatment can reduce pelvic pain, contribute to stress relief, and assist with birth preparation in a pain-free way. From increasing blood flow to bolstering the immune system, many women swear by weekly acupuncture to prepare for the birth experience.
In addition to the benefits of acupuncture, I promise to provide a safe space and support for all of my patients and help them through their first, second, and third trimesters to prepare for their labor and postpartum journey with support.
Acupuncture is safe during pregnancy and can treat and prevent many pregnancy-related health issues. I am glad to work with your OB-GYN or midwife to ensure your comfort and address any concerns. I carefully administer herbal medicine only if necessary, and more commonly, I recommend dietary therapy instead. You receive tailored treatments customized to your needs at each session. I promise I will never recommend any program that I would not use during my own pregnancy.
From Common Pregnancy Symptoms to Severe Pelvic Pain: Prenatal Acupuncture Supports Mothers' Wellness and Healthy Babies
Every woman’s experience with pregnancy, the prenatal and postpartum periods is different. Each person’s hormones are unique. Acupuncture can help ease your pregnancy by increasing blood flow and even aiding sleep. Wellness for moms means wellness for babies — and I pride myself on promoting effective care from the fertility stage to postpartum.
Together, we can deal with finding the proper diet, reducing pains, confronting emotional stress, easing pelvic pain, and birth preparation — and finally, planning for postpartum acupuncture.
Issues that I commonly treat with Prenatal Acupuncture in my downtown Portland clinic:
- Morning Sickness (Nausea)
- Early Threatened Miscarriage
- Insomnia
- Anxiety/Overwhelm
- Depression
- Carpal Tunnel
- Hip and Back Pain
- Migraines/Headache
- Heartburn
- Constipation
- Swelling
- Fatigue
- Fertility concerns
Getting regular acupuncture during pregnancy can also help prevent or treat possible complications such as:
- Gestational Diabetes
- Placenta Previa
- Preeclampsia
- Pre-Term Labor
- Hypertension
- Stalled Labor
- Breech Presentation
- A Safe Environment
Even the healthiest pregnancy stresses a woman’s body, and often, that stress is not only physical but also mental and emotional. The imbalances created in pregnancy can be carried in the body long after the baby joins the world. Other factors compounding the imbalances include nursing, returning to work, sleeplessness, and changes in the family dynamic. I honor all of these issues as a part of the beautiful tapestry of motherhood, and you are encouraged to talk about all your problems, concerns, and fears. Acupuncture can work wonders from the fertility stage to postpartum.
Getting regular prenatal acupuncture can help not only with physical and emotional maladies such as heartburn, hip pain, and anxiety but can also help ease labor and ease the transition into the post-natal time.
Postpartum Care
The postpartum time frame, generally thought of as the first six weeks or 40 days after giving birth, is a time of great healing for your body. It is also one of life’s most challenging times, as you learn to juggle your new role or multiple children, all while you are likely exhausted.
Healthy children need a healthy mama. Postpartum is a crucial time for you to focus on healing, and acupuncture provides a safe avenue of care for healing and nursing mothers. Together, we will discuss a postpartum healing plan that will make sure you have all the support you need at the ready.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is useful for many post-natal issues, including:
- Fatigue
- Insufficient lactation
- Joint pain
- Cesarian recovery/scar therapy
- Night sweats
- Anxiety/depression
- Overwhelm
I also offer specialized treatment for mothers of newborns who do not want to be away from their little bundles or who do not have childcare for them. You are welcome to bring the baby and to hold and even nurse your baby during sessions. Contact me to find out about specialized options by calling me at (503) 442-1205.
From one mama to another, I am so happy to help.
