Pregnancy brings many physical changes, and digestive discomfort (nausea, heartburn, constipation) is among the most common challenges. Acupuncture has a good safety record in pregnancy when performed by a registered practitioner, which is a large part of why women come to us for this.
Acupuncture and acupressure for nausea have been studied extensively, with the clearest results in post-operative and chemotherapy-related nausea. In pregnancy specifically the trials are more mixed: a Cochrane review of interventions for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy found some evidence of benefit from P6 (Neiguan) stimulation but rated the certainty of that evidence as low. Many women tell us it helps, and it carries essentially no risk to the pregnancy. Both of those things are true at once. At Rozelle Acupuncture, we treat pregnancy-related digestive discomfort at any stage.
If you cannot keep fluids down, are losing weight, or are vomiting many times a day, that may be hyperemesis and needs medical assessment. We will say so and send you to your GP or maternity unit.
We also provide guidance on safe Chinese herbal remedies and dietary adjustments to support digestive health throughout pregnancy. All treatments are carefully tailored for safety in pregnancy, using only points and herbs that are appropriate for each trimester.
Common presentations we treat: nausea and vomiting (morning sickness), heartburn and acid reflux in pregnancy, constipation and bowel irregularity, food aversions and poor appetite, and general digestive discomfort.