Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine for Pregnancy in Inner North of Melbourne

Pregnancy is a wonderful time for many women, and it is common to suffer from nausea and vomiting in the first trimester. This article explains the different energetic imbalances involved with morning sickness and how to support it from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective.

Morning Sickness

Known as nausea gravidarum, it occurs when women experience poor appetite, lingering nausea and even vomiting. Two thirds of pregnant women will experience this from the fourth to fourteenth weeks of pregnancy. Some cases of morning sickness can progress to a severe form known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). HG involves relentless vomiting leading to malnutrition, weight loss, electrolyte imbalance. Women with HG often require hospitalisation. Studies have shown that acupuncture can provide the patient with better functioning than medication (Neri et al , 2005). Pregnant women who have hyperemesis gravidarum are more likely to have babies with long-term health effects (Fejzo et al, 2016).

Chinese Medicine & Morning Sickness

There are two main energetic imbalances for women having severe morning sickness in pregnancy;

Stomach Qi Deficiency & Empty Cold

Symptoms tend to be generalised morning sickness, feeling cold, nausea without vomiting or vomiting clear fluids.

Liver Qi Stagnation Invading Stomach

This is common in women who have emotional stress and seem to have a good diet. Long-term stress affects the Liver energy which overacts on the Stomach affecting its function to digest and descend food.

Lifestyle Advice

Ideally preparing for pregnancy and strengthening the digestive energy can make a great difference to the digestive energy. Morning sickness is common and normal in the first trimester of pregnancy. Extreme cases of nausea are not. It is important that the mother nourishes herself with good food, rest, avoiding emotional stress and work pressure as much as possible. It is the first 12 weeks where the most important part of the baby are being developed so prioritising your health is a priority.

Acupuncture Morning Sickness Melbourne

Acupuncture is a safe and gentle therapy. Here at Femme Vital we have over ten years experience in supporting pregnant women with all kinds of morning sickness. Chinese medicine considers you from a holistic perspective which is very gentle and supportive. The first consultation involves a thorough analysis of all your body’s signs, symptoms, and lifestyle. Diagnosis is analysed from viewing your tongue and feeling your radial pulses. Based in the inner north of Melbourne in Fairfield, Femme Vital supports you locally and from surrounding suburbs. If you would like to ask more about Chinese medicine for Morning Sickness call us on 0466866450.