From about the 13th week of pregnancy, many women start to notice a shift in their energy levels, their previous symptoms of nausea start to abate and they start to feel like 'themselves' again. 

 

There is also the emotional relief of moving out of the first trimester, which means the chances of miscarriage are greatly reduced and you are able to share news of your pregnancy with family and friends.

 

With all this newfound freedom and energy it is easy to forget just how much work your body is doing to keep your baby healthy and developing properly.

 

Your diet, fitness, exposure to environmental pollutants and stress levels will be important areas to focus on over the months ahead. 

 

During this time it is recommended that women attend for acupuncture once per month from 15 weeks until 32 weeks gestation to address any physical ailments they may be experiencing. 

 

From the 32nd week, acupuncture treatments would be recommended on a weekly or fortnightly basis to help prepare your body for labour. Acupuncture during this time has been shown to help ripen the cervix so that labour is more likely to occur prior to or at your due date.

 

If labour does not begin spontaneously by week 41, then natural induction of labour may be recommended. 

 

For more information about how acupuncture may help you during your pregnancy or to book an appointment, please click here.