- Bricket Wood, St Albans
Pregnancy acupuncture has been used safely for thousands of years, through all stages of pregnancy, including labour.
Whether you’re trying to conceive or already expecting, acupuncture offers gentle, effective support for every stage of your fertility and pregnancy journey. Here’s how I can support you week by week:
This phase is about creating the healthiest foundation for conception. Acupuncture helps regulate your menstrual cycle, encourage ovulation, and support a healthy uterine lining for implantation. If you’re dealing with conditions like PCOS, low AMH, endometriosis, or irregular periods, I will tailor treatments and recommend relevant tests or supplements to optimise fertility. We also address male fertility concerns such as sperm quality, motility, and morphology.
Weekly acupuncture is recommended, especially around ovulation and the luteal phase, for best results.
Early pregnancy can be full of physical and emotional changes. Acupuncture offers natural support for common symptoms such as morning sickness, fatigue, breast tenderness, and emotional ups and downs. It can also help reduce anxiety, support early placental development, and offer reassurance during the early weeks. If you’ve experienced previous pregnancy loss, this phase can feel especially delicate – acupuncture provides a calm, supportive space to nurture both you and your growing baby.
Weekly or fortnightly treatments, depending on how you’re feeling and your individual needs.
This is often the most energetic and stable part of pregnancy, but your body is still working hard. Acupuncture can help maintain balance and vitality, ease physical discomforts like headaches, constipation, or heartburn and support emotional wellbeing. Treatments can also address round ligament pain, sciatica, pelvic girdle pain, leg cramps, and changes in sleep.
Fortnightly or monthly sessions work well during this phase, unless specific issues arise.
As your body prepares for labour, we use acupuncture to ease physical strain and gently start preparing the cervix and pelvic area. We support restful sleep, reduce swelling, relieve back or pelvic pain and promote relaxation. These treatments also help maintain emotional balance and prepare the body for the transition to birth.
Weekly sessions from week 34/35 onward help lay the groundwork for smoother labour.
From 36 weeks, treatments become more focused on birth preparation. For breech babies, I use moxibustion and specific acupuncture points to encourage optimal positioning (ideally between weeks 34–36). As you near full term, I stimulate points that soften the cervix, promote oxytocin production, and support efficient uterine contractions – all while helping you feel calm and confident. If you reach 40+ weeks and are hoping to avoid a medical induction, more frequent treatments can be used to gently encourage labour.
Weekly from Week 36, increasing to 2x/week from Week 39 if needed.
After giving birth, your body deserves just as much care and attention. Acupuncture can support your recovery physically and emotionally. I will focus on rebuilding energy and blood, supporting hormonal balance and addressing any postpartum concerns such as:
Fatigue and exhaustion
Low mood, anxiety, or postnatal depression
Breastfeeding issues (blocked ducts, low supply)
Afterpains and healing from birth
Sleep disruption and emotional overwhelm
Treatments are deeply nourishing and calming – offering a restorative moment of care in the whirlwind of new parenthood.
Weekly or fortnightly postnatal sessions are beneficial, starting any time from a few days after birth (if desired) through the first 3–6 months.
Every session is completely tailored to how you’re feeling – physically, emotionally and hormonally.
If you’d like to know more about how acupuncture can support your unique journey from preconception to postnatal recovery, I’d love to chat. You don’t have to do this alone – I’m here every step of the way.
