Sylvia Gulbenkian

My interest in treating pregnant women began when I was pregnant with my eldest daughter, in 2006. This interest has continued to grow, as I have seen how much difference acupuncture can make to patients who are suffering with many of the common problems that conventional medicine has few solutions for. 

 

Conditions that I frequently treat, include:

• Recurrent miscarriage

• Nausea and pregnancy 

• Fatigue

• Lower back pain

• Pelvic and ligament pain 

• Heart burn and constipation

• Anxiety and depression

• Breech presentation

 

I also offer Pre-Birth treatments, treatments to stimulate labour (when patients are due to have a medical induction) and I teach acupressure to birthing partners, to use during labour. 

 

 

Pregnancy sickness

This usually manifests during the first trimester of pregnancy and, in the majority of cases, will ease off by 12-13 weeks. However, it can be very debilitating and unpleasant in the meantime. 

As with all my treatments, I look at the imbalance in the individual and use appropriate points for that patient. This often includes a few “standard” pregnancy sickness points. I usually offer advice on diet and may teach the patient points they can use acupressure on at home. 

I try to see patients twice weekly for a week or two. In my experience, most patients feel some improvement after one treatment and feel significantly better after 2-4 treatments. 

Unfortunately, for a minority of patients, nausea remains a problem for longer (sometimes throughout the pregnancy). In these cases, acupuncture may not completely relieve the nausea, but patients often find that it reduces it, so that it is more manageable, and they find the support of regular acupuncture treatments, through the pregnancy, helpful. 

 

Breech presentation 

The treatment of breech presentation involves the application of heat, using a procedure called moxibustion, to a particular point on the patient’s foot. I usually see the woman for one treatment only, teach her how to carry out the moxibustion and give her some moxa sticks so that she, or a partner, can carry it out at home, daily. This should be done for 20 minutes a day on each side, for 10-14 days. 

In various studies, it has been shown that, with moxibustion treatment, a significantly higher proportion of babies turn than without. I recommend that patients come for treatment as soon as possible after diagnosis of breech presentation, once they have reached 34 weeks, as there is more room available for the baby to turn. However, I have known babies to turn at 36-37 weeks, so it is still worth trying treatment at that point. 

(An example of one study is: Cardini F, Weixin H. Moxibustion for correction of breech presentation. JAMA 1998; 280:1580-1584)

 

Pre-birth treatments

These are given weekly from 36-37 weeks of pregnancy, for 4 weeks. Their aim is to prepare the woman’s body (and mind) for labour. As always, I tailor my treatments to the individual, but also include points which aim to assist in cervical ripening, positioning the baby in the best presentation for labour and promoting optimal energy and stamina. 

Studies have shown that women who have had pre-birth treatments are less likely to need to be medically induced and are more likely to have a natural labour than those who have not. 

(An example of one study is: Betts D, Lennox S. Acupuncture for prebirth treatment: An observational study of its use in midwifery practice. Medical acupuncture 2006 May; 17(3):17-20)

 

Acupressure for Labour

Having gone through both of my labours with only acupressure for pain relief, I am a HUGE fan! 

Acupressure during labour makes a massive difference to the woman (primarily in terms of pain relief, but it can also help with, for example, stimulating the dilation of the cervix and increasing the force of contractions); it also gives the birthing partner something to do, so they feel useful and involved. 

I usually teach acupressure to birthing partners in the last few weeks of pregnancy; the birthing partner will often come into the clinic for one of the Pre-Birth treatments and I can teach them while the woman’s needles are in. As well as showing them the points and how to use them, I usually give them a handout, with a summary of which point does what, and give them access to some videos, reinforcing what I have taught. 

In my experience, patients who have benefitted most from acupressure during labour are those whose birthing partners have spent a bit of time, before the labour, making sure they are familiar with the points, so they have the confidence to use them on the day

 

For further information, I recommend looking at the Acupuncture Childbirth Team (Brighton and Sussex) website: www.actbrighton.co.uk 

The Brighton and Sussex Acupuncture Childbirth Team (ACT Brighton and Sussex) is a group of acupuncturists, of which I am a member, with expertise in obstetric and fertility care, dedicated to enhancing the birth experience using the wisdom and knowledge of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. 

 

I also recommend the website of Debra Betts, an experienced acupuncturist based in New Zealand and the author of "The Essential Guide To Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth" www.acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz