Acupuncture for Morning Sickness
Acupuncture may work relatively quickly for morning sickness
Why do they call it morning sickness when I feel sick all day?
Morning sickness is a misleading term. Some pregnant women are worst in the morning, and symptoms gradually settle during the day. “Morning sickness” can affect pregnant women at any time. Many women suffer all day long. The intensity of nausea can vary from person to person too. The Acupuncture we provide at the Hatfield Practice may well be your answer.
Morning Sickness Symptoms: Often Weeks 6 -14
Acupuncture is tremendously successful for treating morning sickness and many forms of nausea. (It is also great with travel sickness!). The acupuncture treatment involves inserting a few very fine needles into what are known as “heart points” on your body. Your Hatfield Practice Acupuncturist will gently guide you through the process so you will feel happy and relaxed. Acupuncture tends to desensitise the heightened response to food and smells that may trigger nausea often found in pregnancy during weeks 6 – 14. Response to your Acupuncture treatment is usually immediate, maybe steady, and cumulative over a few treatments. You may well start to feel better after your first treatment.
Morning sickness affects about 75% of pregnant women during the first trimester. About 50% of all pregnant women suffer from both vomiting and nausea. 25% of patients still have nausea alone, and only 25% of women escape all symptoms. Nausea usually starts around 6 weeks of pregnancy but can begin as early as 4 weeks. It tends to get worse over the next month or two.
7 Tips to Help with Morning Sickness:
- Eat Small, Regular Meals: Skip heavy meals and choose simple, digestible foods.
- Call Hatfield Practice on 01707 888229. We will fit you in for a same-day appointment.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink fluids in small amounts throughout the day, like ginger tea or ginger ale.
- Ginger: Known as a trusted natural solution, ginger helps soothe nausea and vomiting.
- Avoid Triggers: Figure out which foods or scents set off your nausea and avoid them.
- Rest: Make sure to rest well, as tiredness can intensify feelings of nausea.
- Safety: Acupuncture is generally considered safe during pregnancy, but consulting a qualified, experienced practitioner is essential.
Acupuncture Can Help
About half of the women who get nausea during pregnancy find that the symptoms have fully resolved by about 14 weeks. For most of the rest, it takes another month or so for nausea to settle. However, everyone is different, and nausea may come and go throughout your pregnancy. Unfortunately, a small percentage of women suffer symptoms continually until delivery. Acupuncture can often help these women feel better.
In passing, people don’t always take morning sickness seriously because it is common and likely to last “only” a few months. That doesn’t mean it is not very stressful and exhausting. Even a mild case of sickness and nausea can gradually grind you down. There is no joy in round-the-clock vomiting, and nausea and vomiting can leave you feeling miserable. Feel free to talk to us or your midwife about your symptoms. Hatfield Practice Acupuncture is excellent for relieving morning sickness.
How Acupuncture Works
Acupuncture Points:
Acupuncture uses fine needles inserted into precise spots on the body. It is thought to enhance the flow of energy (qi) and is used to alleviate morning sickness.
Nausea Relief:
For morning sickness, acupuncture seeks to ease nausea and vomiting by correcting energy imbalances that might be causing these issues.
Acupressure:
A similar method, acupressure, applies pressure to specific points instead of using needles and can also help reduce nausea. Your acupuncturist will show you how
Acupuncture: P-6 (Neiguan) Point:
The wrist’s P-6 (or PC6) point is commonly targeted to relieve nausea. Acupressure travel wristbands designed to press on this spot are helpful and widely available.
