Acupuncture & relief of morning sickness during pregnancy

 Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, also known as “morning sickness,” may occur at any time, day or night. These symptoms can be experienced as early as the first missed period and typically disappears at the end of the first trimester, although for some it may last longer. For some women morning sickness is not an issue, while for others it can be quite debilitating. 

 Even if the morning sickness is not severe, the fact that it goes on and on and on can be quite exhausting.  What is worse, women who suffer from morning sickness usually lack support from those around them as it is often dismissed as a minor disorder of pregnancy. 

Western Medicine explains nausea and vomiting to be due to changes in hormone levels, brain stem sensitivity to these changes, fatigue, poor diet, stress and other emotional factors. According to Chinese Medicine nausea involves the stomach energy, or stomach qi.  In pregnancy, the vessel that regulates blood flow to the uterus during menstruation becomes full, as the blood has not been released through a period.  This abundance of blood in the vessel can affect the flow of stomach qi in the body. Stomach qi is meant to descend, and when it is unable to, it becomes rebellious qi.  This means that the qi is moving against its proper flow and direction.  Rather than descending, it is rising resulting in nausea and vomiting.

Acupuncture can restore the downward flow of qi and regulate the changes that occur during these weeks to support changes in the body.  As with any illness or imbalance, a number of factors are taken into account to obtain an individual diagnosis and treatment plan. Acupuncture is aimed at strengthening the energetic function of the stomach and correcting underlying imbalances that make a woman particularly prone to morning sickness.

Of course diet is also important in Chinese Medicine, and although most women start their pregnancies with ideas about the healthy foods they will be eating, they may find that they can only keep down easily digestible carbohydrates such as white bread. Blood sugar levels need to stay balanced, so small, frequent snacks may be necessary.

Dehydration also has to be avoided for the health of the mother and foetus. Staying hydrated might not make the nausea better, but becoming dehydrated will definitely make it worse. Dry lips, thirst and decreased urine output are all signs that fluid intake is inadequate. If it is difficult to drink fluids, small amounts of warm soups are an alternative. Ginger tea and peppermint tea are also good for settling nausea and staying hydrated. 

Rest is also important, although in our society we are sometimes made to believe that a pregnant woman needs to just get on with things as she does in her normal life.  If you are suffering from morning sickness, be kind to yourself and listen to your body.

Rachel Cohen has been living on the Costa del Sol for 10 years and has four children. She is a UK trained acupuncturist and member of the British Acupuncture Society. You can contact Rachel by email or telephone: 651119593, as well as read more about her on her Directory listing.