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As a practising Midwife, I am passionate about women's health and wellbeing. I offer a range of treatments suitable for Pregnancy, Birth the Postnatal period and beyond. Mix and match your treatments to suit your preferences.
Maternity Acupuncture
Can be used at all stages of pregnancy and for support during the postnatal period. Acupuncture during pregnancy can be beneficial for:
Musculoskeletal pain such as; back pain, pelvic girdle pain and sciatic nerve pain
Turning babies from breech, transverse or back to back to head down position
Nausea and vomiting
Mental Health and wellbeing
Acupuncture following birth can help with;
Pain management
Mental Health and wellbeing
Lactation
Mastitis
Birth Preparation
Acupuncture is a natural and gentle treatment which many help prepare your body for labour and birth, encouraging the body to naturally release hormones (prostaglandins) that can help to soften and ripen the cervix together with oxytocin which can naturally encourage contractions. Read more about this below.
Musculoskeletal conditions
Specific points on the body are used to reduce pain by releasing tension and stimulating the brain and spinal cord to produce endorphins which promote relaxation and wellbeing.
Hyperemesis (nausea and vomiting)
Acupuncture can help to relieve the discomfort of hyperemesis.
Mental Wellbeing
There is growing evidence that acupuncture can be beneficial for the treatment of depression during pregnancy and also post-natal depression as well as improving stress and anxiety whilst also complimenting other methods of emotional support.
Womens Health
Acupuncture can be very beneficial for women experiencing symptoms of Peri-menopause and menopause including hot flushes, joint pain, anxiety and brain fog.
Gynaecological issues such as PMS, PCOS, Endometriosis, overactive bladder can respond well to acupuncture treatment. There have been a lot of studies done on these conditions and acupuncture treatments, with positive outcomes.
Treatments are personalised to take into consideration your needs.
Moxibustion
Is a traditional Chinese method of treatment which involves the burning of a herb (mugwort) Moxa close to the skin to give a warming sensation. Moxa close to the acupuncture point Bladder 67 (BL67), located at the tip of your fifth toe, may correct breech presentation.
Treatment can begin around 34 -38 weeks. Research indicates moxibustion is effective in reducing the need for an external cephalic version (ECV).
During treatment or following this there are usually increased fetal movements, this is quite normal. There have been no reported side effects for mothers or babies.
I will provide a treatment and demonstrate how to self-administer at home. Written guidelines and safety together with moxa are included.
Moxa is not only for turning breech babies. This amazing therapeutic herb warms and relaxes your body as it is moved around specific points on your body.
Mother Warming uses moxa to revitalise women following birth. (see Mother Warming)
It can be beneficial to try knee chest position for helping to turn a breech baby. You can ask your Midwife who will advise you about this.
It can be beneficial to try knee chest position for helping to turn a breech baby. You can ask your Midwife who will advise you about this.
Post-Dates Aromatherapy and Massage (inc. acupressure points from 40 weeks)
Enjoy the therapeutic benefits of massage combined with essential oil of clary sage and other therapeutic oils to help reduce the need for a medical induction of labour by 3-5%.
Research shows that inhalation of Clary Sage does create an increase in oxytocin levels. I offer post-dates Aromatherapy sessions from 40 weeks.
Clary Sage helps your body have more effective contractions once you start having them as it relaxes the mind and muscles in the body, whilst stimulating natural endorphins and oxytocin.
This is combined with your choice of essential oils such as Frankincense, Lavender, Mandarin, Lime, Peppermint, Eucalyptus or Rose. A choice of foot, back or neck and shoulder massage together with acupressure on meridian points to encourage your body to go into natural labour.
Please note Clary Sage does not induce labour unless your body is ready to go into labour. This shouldn't be used before 40 weeks. Clary Sage helps your body to have more effective contractions once you do start having them.
Birth Preparation Acupuncture
Birth Preparation Acupuncture
Preparation from 36 weeks to encourage pregnancy hormones, assist with cervical ripening and optimal fetal positioning. A series of treatments in the final weeks of your pregnancy to prepare your body for the most efficient birth possible. This can commence at 36 - 37 weeks continuing weekly until term. Specific acupuncture points are used to help ripen the cervix whilst also supporting your mental health and wellbeing. From 40 weeks treatments can be increased to twice weekly where specific "induction" points are included. This treatment can be combined with post dates Aromatherapy to increase your chance of going into labour yourself. Treatments can also support the following:
shorter labour duration
reduction in rate of medical intervention including Induction of Labour, Epidurals and emergency LUSCS.
Increase in normal physiological birth
reduction in postdates Induction of labour.
Postnatal Recovery
Postnatal Recovery
Postnatal Recovery Massage (Closing the Bones)
Through "closing the bones" the aim is to celebrate motherhood whichever way you have birthed your baby. Rituals punctuate our lives for example: weddings, funerals, christenings.
Closing the Bones is an ancient South American ritual, which is still performed today offering you a safe space to reflect, breath and feel supported, marking the wonderful achievement that is motherhood.
This is a time of intense physical and emotional change. Although considered normal following the birth of your baby, emotional changes like feeling sad, overwhelmed and isolated can happen. Physical changes like continuing pain, urinary incontinence, breast engorgement. You do not need to suffer this alone. This treatment includes your birth reflection allowing you the space to talk and feel supported.
A massage of the feet, with focus on the abdomen, hips and pelvis including pelvic sifting with rebozos to encourage your body to feel physically centred and energised whilst gently repositioning organs post birth. Following pelvic sifting your body is wrapped with rebozos allowing you time to reflect and feel comforted in this lovely cocoon of warmth and safety.
This massage includes mother warming (see mother warming treatment).
This ritual is also helpful in nurturing the body long after birth and can support for example, during peri menopause, menopause, post menopause, miscarriage, stillbirth.
This treatment can be done in the comfort of your own home where this can be either on the floor (traditional) or massage table. Rebozos are used with both treatments.
This is a bespoke treatment. When booking please let me know what you would like included.
This ceremony can be done as soon as you feel well enough following birth of your baby. Some women wait 6 weeks onwards, giving your body some time to heal.
If you would like to know more about this lovely treatment please feel free to contact me.
Postnatal Recovery Treatments
It can be challenging and exhausting following childbirth, for example through blood loss, pain, feeding issues, traumatic delivery.
I offer a range of postnatal treatments to replenish your body and mind, increasing your vitality and energy levels.
Please take a look. If you have any queries please feel free to get in touch. I am happy to answer any questions you may have.
Postnatal Acupuncture can be added to all treatments to complement and enhance therapeutic benefits.
Ideally it is usually advised within the first 6 weeks following childbirth to obtain maximum benefits. Postnatal acupuncture can help with symptoms such as;
lactation issues, mastitis, urinary incontinence, fatigue, depression, hormonal imbalances to name but a few. It is also an excellent "pick me up".
Mother Warming (from day 4 postpartum)
Moxa is used to provide comforting heat and stimulate specific parts of your body whilst focussing over your abdomen and pelvis. This lovely warming treatment aids recovery, restoring energy to the body. Many women find this incredibly soothing to their physical and emotional wellbeing at this time.
This can be done in the comfort of your own home around day 4-5 with one treatment usually being the recommended "dose" for general relief.
However if you are struggling with uncomfortable symptoms such as urinary incontinence or painful stitches etc you may find improved comfort and recovery with a course of treatments which acupuncture can be included within your personalised treatment plan.
Mother warming can help with the following:
Toning the uterus.
aid in recovery of urinary incontinence.
improve pelvic pain and wound healing.
Improve lactation.
restoring Qi (energy) in the body.
Improve mood.
Additional Information
Many postnatal treatments tend to focus on the head thus forgetting the rest of the body. Body treatments such as mother warming and closing the bones include the body which can be useful in supporting birth trauma, shock, stress, loss, pain.
Perhaps you have mixed feelings about your birth experience. Events might have happened that were unexpected, your birth plan unable to continue, leaving questions.
Closing the bones and other non-invasive treatments like mother warming allows you to discuss your birth, supporting you to reflect on your experience.
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