Other Common Pregnancy Conditions

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Anaemia and Edema (swelling)

There are two time periods in a pregnancy when woman are susceptible to developing iron-deficiency anaemia. The first is when the woman’s blood volume increases around week 20, and the second is in the last four to six weeks of pregnancy when the baby is laying down its own iron stores. Routine antenatal blood tests to show haemoglobin levels are usually carried out at these times, as at the beginning of pregnancy as some women are anaemic before becoming pregnant.

Although all women are at risk of developing iron-deficiency anaemia, there are some who belong to the high-risk category. These are women who were malnourished prior to pregnancy or have been eating poorly since conception, those carrying more than one foetus, and those who have had several pregnancies or miscarriages in a short period of time.

Although women with a diagnosis of iron-deficiency anaemia will be receiving iron supplements from her doctor or midwife, we believe it is important to address other lifestyle factors like diet, rest and what type of movement and exercise is right for the patient.

Edema can occur at anytime during pregnancy but is especially prevalent in the final trimester. Acupuncture treatment can encourage the body to metabolise fluid more effectively and hep to relive swollen limbs, hands and feet.

Fatigue

Fatigue in pregnancy can be a very debilitating symptom.  There is an extreme tiredness and exhaustion felt in the first twelve weeks, which can be worse than any other time in the pregnancy.  It is thought to be due to the demands placed on a woman’s body by the growing and developing placenta as well as the hormone changes.

Fatigue can also return in the final stages of pregnancy – more commonly due to the increased weight that a woman is carrying around. There may also be lack of sleep due to increased pressure n the bladder resulting in frequent bathroom trips or the constant waking to turn over in bed.

Your acupuncturist at Acupuncture East will take into account your body’s constitution and the underlying reason for the fatigue and treat you accordingly. Acupuncture can make a real contribution to enhancing the pregnancy by strengthening the mother.

Itching in Pregnancy

Pregnant woman can develop a condition like heat rash during the last trimester of pregnancy.  It is a red itchy rash often distributed over the abdomen, breasts, thighs and back. The exact cause is not always known although several types of rash are recognised, each with different causative factors.

It is important that women experiencing heat rash symptoms avoid aggravating the skin further by adding extra heat to their system.  Some suggestions for managing symptoms include:

  • Having a lukewarm shower or bath rather than hot water. Also using fewer blankets on the bed at night.
  • Consuming bland neutral foods rather than warming foods and completely avoid stimulants such as coffee or chocolate
  • Eliminating perfumed soaps and deodorants
  • Wearing loose fitting clothing made from natural fibres.
  • Aloe Vera lotion can be used as a topical application.
  • For those women with nipple rash, Calendula creams designed for sore nipples can offer some relief.

Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH) is a medical term used to describe the raised blood pressure readings occurring during pregnancy.  It can also include a set of symptoms, which accompany the elevated blood pressure: oedema, protein in the urine as well as specific liver enzyme and platelet readings.  PIH affects approximately 3% of women and is monitored very closely as if it is left untreated it can potentially develop into eclampsia.

When acupuncture is used to treat PIH (especially in the initial stages), positive changes are clearly achievable, with results that often allow allow women to progress naturally through their pregnancy.  These changes include reduction in uric acid to normal levels and stabilisation of liver enzymes, as well as more obvious signs of blood pressure readings remaining within acceptable medical limits.

Sinusitis

During pregnancy it is thought that the hormonal changes within the body may lead to a drying of the membranes that line the nasal passages, predisposing women to nasal congestion and sinusitis.

As well as using acupuncture to relieve symptoms, we look closely at lifestyle factors, especially diet to help improve the discomfort that sinusitis can bring.

Small-for-Dates Babies

A baby that is not developing during a pregnancy to the degree expected for its gestational age is termed a “small-for-dates baby”, or as having intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Regular antenatal checks or ultrasound scans are required to detect these at-risk babies, as it is not reliable to check the baby’s wellbeing solely from a one off assessment of the mother’s appearance.

There are a wide variety of reasons why baby may not be growing as expected. These include:

  • Maternal Illness
  • Pregnancy related illness
  • Maternal lifestyle factors

Feedback from midwives, suggest that patients who suffer from this condition, find Acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatments a valuable tool in aiding the growth of small babies.

Threatened Miscarriage

At Acupuncture East we approach all early pregnancies with care and delicacy. We provide treatment to women who have a history or recurrent miscarriage as well as those who have experienced just one miscarriage, as well as women who have never miscarried but feel comfortable with the support that Acupuncture provides them through the first trimester.

Miscarriage is more common than most people realise and is often the body’s natural way of stopping the growth of an embryo that is imperfect. This is a normal, natural process. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine cannot interfere with this process but support the body and encourage optimal function of the mother’s body.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)

Women are generally more prone to Urinary tract infections (UTI) due to the shorter length of the urinary tract. In pregnancy there is an even higher prevalence of urinary tract infections. It is thought to be due to the hormonal effects of progesterone, which relaxes the smooth muscle of the bladder, and to the enlarging uterus pressing onto the bladder. These factors interfere with effective emptying, allowing any bacteria that would normally be flushed out of the bladder to remain and multiply.

A urinary tract infection usually presents with frequent, painful, urgent, burning urination often accompanied by lower abdominal discomfort. A urinary tract infection can also be asymptomatic, in which case a problem will be detected in a routine antenatal urine test.

Although acupuncture treatment is very helpful for reducing the acute symptoms of a urinary tract infection, with the discomfort and pain resolved or considerably lessened after a treatment, it usually only gives permanent results if the condition is treated early. It is therefore essential to ensure that a midwife or doctor is aware of the symptoms.

Risks of untreated urinary tract infection during pregnancy can be severe. Women need to be vigilant if noticing symptoms that signal the beginning of a urinary tract infection, seeking treatment and informing their midwife or doctor rather than taking a “wait and see” approach.

Varicose Veins, Haemorrhoids and Vulval Varicosity

Varicose veins are described as distended, tortuous or lengthened veins. These occur when the valve system that veins rely on to move blood through the venous system becomes insufficient. Blood then pools in the vessels, leading to distension and congestion. The veins of the legs, rectum and vulval area are often affected in pregnancy both because there is an increase in blood supply that the body has to carry back up to the heart and because the vessels and valves become softened by the progesterone produced throughout pregnancy. There is also added pressure placed on the pelvic venous return by the growing uterus.
Haemorrhoids occur when the veins of the rectum become congested and enlarged.  Although often due to constipation, there are added factors during pregnancy such as the foetus placing increased pressure on the bowel that make haemorrhoids a common minor disorder of pregnancy.  Haemorrhoids can occur at any time during the pregnancy and they are also an unwelcome side effect post-natal due to the pressure placed on the rectum in second stage of labour.

Vulval varicosities are varicose veins that occur around the vulval area or within the vagina. They usually appear in the last few months of pregnancy, but showing signs in early pregnancy is also possible.  Symptoms include pain or aching in the local area, often aggravated by standing up after lying down or when bending into a squatting position.

Acupuncture can reduce swelling, alleviate pain and increase blood circulation in affected areas.