By Jack Handlin L.Ac., Dipl OM

From fertilization to the second trimester

Many patients ask us … when they should stop getting acupuncture after they become pregnant?

Although our recommendation is different for each patient, we usually tell our patients that conception is only the start of the process, especially in cases where there is a history of infertility or miscarriage.

Most miscarriages occur within first three months of pregnancy. The first six weeks are the most crucial time to balance the body and strengthen the mother’s ability hold and maintain a healthy pregnancy and support a thriving fetus.

For implantation to occur, the endometrium requires modified endometrial stromal cells, uterine glands, vessels and immune cells. These changes are brought about by progesterone. This specific endometrial lining (the decidua) forms the maternal part of the placenta. Around the sixth day of embryonic development the embryo latches on to the endometrium. Once the embryo comes into contact with the endometrium HCG production occurs. Around the seventh day the embryo begins to proliferate and spread into the uterine epithelium.

How Acupuncture Can Help

The main focus of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine during this stage is to regulate and enhance the body’s hormones, boost energy levels, increase blood circulation to the uterus and reproductive organs, reduce stress, and help to assist fallopian tube motility.

The risk of miscarriage in early pregnancy can be increased by many factors. Underlying health conditions can often affect the body’s ability to hold and maintain pregnancy. Some of these conditions are diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, thyroid disorders and Celiac disease. Other factors such as blood clotting disorders and chromosomal abnormalities, and uterine natural killer cells can also affect the body’s ability to sustain a healthy pregnancy.

The strength of Chinese medicine is in the practitioner’s ability to apply diagnostic skills and determine if there is a subtle reason causing miscarriage or threatening miscarriage. We find that our patients achieve the greatest success incorporating Western medicine with acupuncture treatments.

Some of the main causes of recurrent miscarriage are:

• Uterine and cervical abnormalities
• Hormonal disorders
• Genetic abnormalities
• Infections of the uterus
• Immunological causes

In roughly 50% of women experience recurrent miscarriages there is no identifiable cause. Clinical research suggests some possible factors may be stress, anxiety, depression, and feeling overwhelmed; all of which affect hormone balance and the release of cortisol, which suppresses the production of progesterone.

After ovulation, in the ovary, the remaining portion of the follicle know as the corpus luteum is responsible for producing progesterone. The corpus luteum maintains progesterone levels during the first few weeks of pregnancy until the placenta takes over. If there are problems with the ovarian function as with PCOS or resistant ovarian disease, this could lead to a greater risk of miscarriage.

A traditional Chinese medicine practitioner will be able to make a diagnosis for recurrent miscarriage that occurs early in pregnancy. From a Chinese medicine point of view, boosting Kidney function can help prevent miscarriage due to corpus luteum deficiency or failure.

Chinese Medicine divides miscarriage into the following categories:

• Pre-implantation loss
• Post implantation loss
• Threatened miscarriage
• Recurrent Miscarriage

Depending on the cause, presentation of symptoms, and case history, acupuncture treatments are personalized specifically for each patient. The TCM practitioner will diagnose the nature of the recurrent miscarriage according to both the female and the male partner’s constitution.

Interested in Learning More About the Benefits of Acupuncture During Early Pregnancy?

Contact us TODAY to schedule your free initial consultation. We look forward to talking with you.