If the usual morning sickness remedies haven’t worked consider trying acupuncture.
Morning sickness can start as food aversions, and queasiness to rapidly becoming debilitating. For struggling fertility patients who finally conceive , severe morning sickness may seem like the suffering will never end. Usually starting around week 6-7 of pregnancy, morning sickness for many will end around week 13, or the beginning of the second trimester. For others the misery may continue seemingly without end.
If you haven’t already tried some of the common remedies for morning sickness, it is worth giving them a go. They can be helpful in mild cases.
- Snacking frequently on light, salty foods, such as crackers thoughout the day, so as to not let your stomach get too empty.
- Supplementing with vitamin B6.
- Wrist bands, such as Sea bands that press on an acupuncture point on your wrist.
- Drinking ginger tea, candies or other ginger products.
Your medical doctor my recommend some over the counter medicines, or prescribe an anti-nausea medication. But in some cases, these too fail to work.
This brings us to acupuncture. Studies conducted by the NIH have concluded that acupuncture works to control nausea.
Acupuncture for morning sickness questions answered:
When should I start acupuncture, and how frequently should I get it?
Acupuncture should be started right away to nip it in the bud . For severe cases 2-3 treatments within a week, or about every other day for the first week or two gets nausea under control. You may be fine after that, or need a few more visits.
Is acupuncture safe during pregnancy?
Absolutely! Acupuncture is extremely safe when administered by a well trained, licensed acupuncturist who specializes in pregnancy. Acupuncture is also excellent for a number of other pregnancy related problems.
Is it ok to get acupuncture if you are taking prescription anti-nausea medication?
Yes. Acupuncture does not interact with medications.
How does acupuncture work?
It is thought that the acupuncture needles calm the various nerves that interact with the digestive system.
Herbs
Another way to treat morning sickness is with a combination of pregnancy safe Chinese herbs. One of these well know herbs is ginger. Herbs may be ideal when a patient is traveling, or is not able to come in frequently enough. Herbs may also be used in extremely difficult cases.
Fun fact:
Morning sickness is caused in Chinese medical theory by the developing fetus causing an obstruction in the downward flow of energy. The nausea you feel is the energy backing up! If you are worried that acupuncture is painful, watch this.
Eric Hollander, L.Ac. is an acupuncturist in San Diego, CA. He has been specializing in fertility and pregnancy for over 13 years. If you need help with morning sickness you may contact him here.