Birth / Labour

It’s safe to say that the goal for every pregnant woman and her support people is to have a smooth, complication-free birth. Whether it be a natural vaginal delivery or via a planned Cesarean section, being well prepared in both body and mind can make all the difference.

At Quiescence many of us are parents ourselves and have our own birth experiences to share. We believe birth should be an empowering experience for women and are passionate about providing support through the often daunting transition of becoming a mother.

We recommend weekly acupuncture treatment from 36 weeks as a way of gently encouraging the body to prepare itself for birth. Unlike a medical induction acupuncture does not force the body to do anything it is not ready to do. Rather pre-birth acupuncture gently encourages both the body and mind to soften and release, supporting the natural birthing process.

Things we often talk about and focus on during a pre-birth acupuncture treatment include:

• Energy and mental health
• Correct positioning of the baby
• Hip, back and pelvic symphysis pain
• Cervical ripening
• Insomnia
• Digestive health including symptoms such as heartburn
• Postpartum care

For those of you who are high risk, have had a planned cesarean, or have been recommended to be medically induced for any reason we are likely to recommend 2-3 acupuncture treatments per week.

As health care professionals we will support you in your decisions and work with whatever recommendations your midwife or obstetrician have made. The health and well-being of both mother and baby are always of the highest priority.

We highly recommend the use of acupressure before and during birth to promote body-mind connection and promote partner involvement. We teach location and technique and provide a pamphlet to ensure it is carried out correctly.