Is Acupuncture Safe During Pregnancy?

Acupuncture Through the Trimesters

Acupuncture is one of the few physical therapies that can be safely used throughout pregnancy. During the first trimester, it is used cautiously — a small number of points are contra-indicated as they stimulate uterine contractions or have strong downward-moving actions. Experienced practitioners know these contraindications and avoid them.

In the second trimester, acupuncture is used for pain management (pelvic girdle pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel), heartburn, haemorrhoids, anxiety, and continued fertility and placental support. In the third trimester, it addresses fetal positioning (breech presentation — point GB21 and moxa on BL67 is used from week 32), pre-labour preparation, and cervical ripening from 37 weeks.

Evidence for Obstetric Acupuncture

A 2017 Cochrane review on acupuncture for pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy found significant improvement in pain and function compared to usual care. Multiple RCTs have confirmed the safety and efficacy of acupuncture for morning sickness — the point PC6 (Pericardium 6) has been validated in several trials for nausea reduction.

All practitioners at Rainbow Medicine with obstetric acupuncture experience follow AACMA obstetric acupuncture guidelines and are experienced in adapting treatment safely at each stage of pregnancy.