Pregnancy is an extraordinary time — and a physically demanding one. Acupuncture offers safe, drug-free relief for the aches and discomforts of pregnancy at every stage. It's one of the most common reasons women come to see me in Portland.
Is Acupuncture Safe During Pregnancy?
Yes — when performed by a licensed acupuncturist trained in prenatal care. I avoid a specific set of points contraindicated in pregnancy, and I adjust needle placement and depth as your belly grows. Prenatal acupuncture has an excellent safety record across decades of clinical use.
First Trimester: Morning Sickness and Fatigue
Morning sickness is the number one reason pregnant women seek acupuncture. Nausea and vomiting in the first trimester respond exceptionally well to treatment — often within one or two sessions. Pericardium 6 (PC6), a point on the inner wrist, is one of the most researched acupuncture points for nausea. It's safe, effective, and drug-free.
Extreme fatigue in the first trimester also improves with treatment, which focuses on building blood and qi to support both you and your growing baby.
Second Trimester: Round Ligament Pain and Headaches
As your uterus grows in the second trimester, round ligament pain — sharp, stabbing pain on one or both sides of your lower abdomen — can appear. Acupuncture relaxes these ligaments and relieves pain quickly. Pregnancy headaches (often from hormonal shifts and increased blood volume) also respond well.
Third Trimester: Back Pain, Sciatica, and Sleep
Low back pain and sciatica are extremely common in the third trimester, as the baby's weight presses on your lumbar spine and sacrum. Acupuncture, combined with Tuina massage, provides significant relief. I also treat carpal tunnel syndrome (common in late pregnancy), insomnia, anxiety, and heartburn.
Breech Position
If your baby is breech after 32 weeks, moxibustion (moxa) at a specific acupuncture point (Bladder 67) on your little toe can encourage the baby to turn head-down. Studies show this is effective in 60 to 70% of cases when started at 33 to 35 weeks. I'll show you and your partner how to do the home treatment as well.
Labor Preparation
Starting around 36 to 37 weeks, I offer "labor prep" treatments. These weekly sessions ripen the cervix, position the baby optimally, and reduce anxiety about birth. Many of my patients have shorter, more manageable labors. It's one of my favorite things to offer.
Ready to experience acupuncture in Portland?
Amy Chitwood Burslem is a licensed acupuncturist at Calm Acupuncture in SW Portland. She offers a free initial phone consultation.
Schedule a consultationFrequently Asked Questions
When can I start acupuncture during pregnancy?
You can start at any point, even in the first trimester. First trimester nausea responds well early. If you're considering labor prep or breech correction, we'd start later in the third trimester.
Can acupuncture induce labor?
Acupuncture can help ripen the cervix and prepare for labor when you're at or past your due date, but it's unlikely to induce labor prematurely. I take a conservative approach with labor induction points.
How often should I get acupuncture while pregnant?
It depends on what we're treating. For morning sickness, twice weekly initially. For ongoing support, once a month until the third trimester. Labor prep happens weekly from 36 weeks.