Acupuncturist gently supporting a pregnant patient during a prenatal acupuncture session at Shen Medicine in Nashville
Oct 23

Acupuncture During Pregnancy: Morning Sickness, Back Pain and Prepping for Labor

Pregnancy is beautiful. It’s also nausea at the grocery store, a back that aches by 3 p.m. and a brain that won’t stop planning the nursery at midnight.

If you’re wondering whether acupuncture during pregnancy could help, you’re in good company. It’s one of the gentlest ways to support your body as it changes week by week, and it works right alongside your prenatal care. Here in Nashville, we love caring for mamas-to-be, so we put together a trimester-by-trimester guide to what acupuncture can help with and what the research says.

Is acupuncture safe during pregnancy?

Yes, when it’s done by a licensed acupuncturist trained in prenatal care. Certain acupuncture points are avoided during pregnancy, and treatment is adjusted as your body changes. Always let your OB or midwife know you’re getting acupuncture.

The research backs this up. A systematic review in Acupuncture in Medicine looked at 105 studies of acupuncture during pregnancy. Side effects that may have been related to acupuncture showed up in just 1.3% of cases, and they were all mild or moderate, with brief needling discomfort being the most common. The authors concluded that acupuncture during pregnancy is associated with few side effects when it’s done correctly.

A few things we always do for pregnant patients:

  • Skip points that are traditionally avoided in pregnancy
  • Use comfortable positions, like side-lying with plenty of pillows, as your belly grows
  • Keep treatment gentle and adjust it to how you’re feeling that day

Can acupuncture help with morning sickness in the first trimester?

Acupuncture for morning sickness is one of the most studied uses of pregnancy acupuncture, and a large trial found women who had it reported less nausea and dry retching. It’s a drug-free option many women love in those rough early weeks.

The first trimester can be a lot. Beyond nausea, many women deal with:

  • Bone-deep fatigue
  • Food aversions and a sensitive stomach
  • Anxiety about the weeks ahead

From a Chinese medicine view, nausea often comes from energy that should move downward through your digestion rising up instead. Acupuncture works to settle the stomach, calm the nervous system and support your energy. We’ll also share simple tips, like acupressure on the inner wrist, that you can use at home between visits.

Can acupuncture help pregnancy back pain and hip pain?

Acupuncture for pregnancy back pain and pelvic pain has solid research behind it. In one trial, pregnant women who added acupuncture to their usual care had less pelvic pain than women who had usual care alone.

The second trimester is often called the “honeymoon” phase, but as your belly grows, your back, hips and pelvis start doing a lot more work. Second trimester visits often focus on:

  • Back, hip and pelvic pain as your posture shifts
  • Sleep, especially when getting comfortable gets harder
  • Stress and mood, so you can actually enjoy this stage
  • Digestion, like heartburn and constipation

Think of it as an hour every week or two that’s just for you and baby.

What does labor prep acupuncture look like in the third trimester?

Labor prep acupuncture often starts around 36 weeks, with weekly sessions focused on helping your body and mind get ready for birth. It’s gentle, relaxing and a lovely way to spend those last few weeks.

Third trimester support can include:

  • Labor prep: Weekly sessions in the final weeks to help you feel calm, rested and ready
  • Breech support: If baby is head-up, acupuncture and moxibustion (a warming herb used near a point on the little toe) may help encourage baby to turn. Read more in our post on acupuncture and moxibustion for turning breech babies.
  • Swelling and heaviness: Support for puffy ankles and tired legs
  • Sleep and nerves: Because sleeping at 38 weeks is its own sport

In the breech study we cover below, treatment started at 33 weeks, so it’s worth reaching out as soon as your provider mentions baby is breech.

What does the research say about acupuncture during pregnancy?

The research on acupuncture during pregnancy is encouraging, especially for nausea, pelvic pain and breech babies. Here’s what stood out when we read the studies:

  • Less nausea: A randomized trial of 593 women in early pregnancy, published in Birth, found that women who received traditional acupuncture reported less nausea throughout the trial and less dry retching from the second week, compared with women who didn’t get acupuncture. The authors concluded acupuncture is an effective treatment for nausea and dry retching in early pregnancy.
  • Less pelvic pain: A randomized trial of 386 pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain, published in the BMJ, found that adding acupuncture to standard treatment reduced pain in the morning and evening more than standard treatment alone. Acupuncture also outperformed stabilizing exercises for evening pain.
  • Turning breech babies: A randomized trial in JAMA followed 260 first-time moms with breech babies at 33 weeks. With moxibustion on an acupuncture point near the little toe, 75.4% of babies were head-down at birth, compared with 62.3% in the group that had routine care alone.
  • A strong safety record: As mentioned above, a review of 105 studies found side effects were few and mild to moderate when acupuncture was done correctly.

Every pregnancy is different, and acupuncture is always one part of your care alongside your OB or midwife. But the research gives you plenty of good reasons to give it a try.

What happens after baby arrives?

The fourth trimester deserves care too. After birth, acupuncture may help with recovery, sleep, mood and energy while you adjust to life with a newborn. For lots of practical tips, read our postpartum Chinese medicine wellness guide.

How do we support pregnancy at Shen in Nashville?

At our office at 2505 21st Ave S, Suite 400, Nashville, TN, we’re here for every stage, whether you just got a positive test or you’re counting down the days. Here’s what pregnancy care looks like with us:

  • A plan for each trimester that changes as your needs do
  • Gentle, pregnancy-safe treatment in a calm, cozy space
  • Care that works alongside your OB or midwife
  • Continuity from fertility through postpartum, if you started with our fertility support

Learn more about our women’s health care, or book your pregnancy acupuncture visit.

Quick FAQ

When can I start acupuncture during pregnancy? You can start in the first trimester, which is a great time for nausea and fatigue support. Many women also start in the second or third trimester for back pain or labor prep.

How often should I come in? It depends on what you need. Many women come in weekly for nausea or pain, every other week when things feel steady, and weekly again from about 36 weeks for labor prep.

Is acupuncture safe in the first trimester? Yes, with a licensed acupuncturist trained in prenatal care. We avoid certain points during pregnancy and keep treatment gentle.

Where can I get pregnancy acupuncture in Nashville? Right here at Shen Medicine. Pregnancy care is a big part of our women’s health practice, from first trimester to fourth.

Do I need my doctor’s permission? You don’t need a referral, but we always recommend letting your OB or midwife know you’re getting acupuncture.

Wherever you are in your pregnancy, we’d love to help you feel more comfortable and supported here in Nashville.

With love (and very fine needles),
The Shen Medicine Team

Sources

This post is for education only and isn’t medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about what’s right for you.