- Bricket Wood, St Albans
Gentle, specialist support from early pregnancy through to birth — and into the fourth trimester.
Pregnancy is extraordinary. It can also be exhausting, uncomfortable, and at times overwhelming — especially if you’ve had a difficult road to get here. Acupuncture is a safe, gentle therapy that supports your body and mind at every stage of pregnancy.
I trained specifically in acupuncture and acupressure for pregnancy and childbirth with leading practitioner Debra Betts, and have supported many women from early pregnancy all the way through labour preparation and postnatal recovery.
Acupuncture in early pregnancy can help with nausea and morning sickness, fatigue, breast tenderness, and emotional ups and downs. For women who have experienced previous pregnancy loss, or who have conceived through IVF, this phase can feel particularly anxious — acupuncture provides a calm, supportive space to nurture both you and your growing baby.
Often the most settled phase, but your body is still working hard. Acupuncture can ease headaches, heartburn, constipation, round ligament pain, sciatica, pelvic girdle pain and changes in sleep. Fortnightly or monthly sessions work well during this phase.
As your body prepares for labour, acupuncture helps ease physical strain, supports restful sleep, reduces swelling, and relieves back and pelvic pain. Weekly sessions from around 34–35 weeks help lay the groundwork for a smoother labour.
From 36 weeks, treatments focus on birth preparation — stimulating points that soften the cervix, support optimal baby positioning, and encourage the body’s own labour-readiness. For breech presentation, moxibustion is used between weeks 34–36 to encourage the baby to turn. If you reach 40+ weeks and are hoping to avoid medical induction, more frequent treatments can gently encourage the onset of labour.
I also teach your birth partner acupressure points to use during labour, giving them an active and supportive role.
Many women don’t realise that acupuncture can be just as valuable after birth as during pregnancy. The fourth trimester is one of the most physically and hormonally demanding periods of a woman’s life — and one of the most overlooked.
Postnatal acupuncture can support:
Sessions from a few days post-birth through the first three to six months are deeply nourishing and restorative — a rare moment of care in the whirlwind of new parenthood.
Not all acupuncturists have specific training in pregnancy. There are acupuncture points that are contraindicated during pregnancy, and a practitioner without proper training may not know which to avoid. My specific training with Debra Betts means you’re in safe, knowledgeable hands throughout every stage.
Is acupuncture safe in pregnancy? Yes — when carried out by a properly trained practitioner. I have specific training in pregnancy acupuncture and carefully use only points that are safe and appropriate at each stage.
When can I start pregnancy acupuncture? Any stage. Many women who’ve been seeing me for fertility continue through the first trimester. Others come in the second or third trimester for specific symptoms or birth preparation.
Can acupuncture help with pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy? Yes. Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) and symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) are among the most common and debilitating pregnancy complaints. Acupuncture is effective at reducing pain and improving mobility, and many patients experience significant relief within a few sessions.
Can acupuncture turn a breech baby? Moxibustion at point BL67 has a reasonable evidence base for encouraging breech babies to turn, particularly when used from around 34–36 weeks. I’ll discuss your individual situation at your appointment.
Can acupuncture help induce labour? Acupuncture is often used to encourage the natural onset of labour in post-dates pregnancies. It works by supporting your body’s own readiness for birth, and many women find it helpful and deeply relaxing.
I had fertility acupuncture — should I continue during pregnancy? Many fertility patients choose to continue into pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. It’s a personal choice and I’m happy to support you through as much or as little of the pregnancy as you’d like.