Is Acupuncture Safe During Pregnancy?

If you’ve been googling acupuncture, you’ve probably run face to face with a bunch of conflicting information about whether or not acupuncture is safe during pregnancy. Maybe you have read on the internet that it can be good for morning sickness, but you might get a miscarriage if your practitioner puts a needle at a certain point. How do you know who to trust and if you and your baby are going to be safe?

Pregnancy is a miracle, but sometimes it can feel like a fucking curse. Maybe you’re doubled over with morning sickness, having heartburn or low back pain every day, and your doctor is telling you to deal with it until you give birth. Maybe you are even thinking about getting induced because you want those uncomfortable symptoms to GO AWAY.

Acupuncture can be a lifesaver during pregnancy by helping women alleviate uncomfortable symptoms and making their pregnancy easier and more comfortable. It can even help establish an optimum uterine environment for your baby to be healthy. The great thing about acupuncture is that it is a treatment option where you do not take drugs.

This article will explain how you know acupuncture is safe, the contraindications of acupuncture, and what to look for when choosing an acupuncturist. By feeling confident that acupuncture is safe and you can trust your healthcare provider, you can get support to encourage a happy, empowering pregnancy instead of suffering through the process.

Is Acupuncture Safe?

Western medical research shows no evidence of increased miscarriage or premature births when acupuncture is used during pregnancy.

In one study, Park et al. 2014, discovered: “This systematic review has found that the majority of adverse events associated with acupuncture during pregnancy are mild and transient, and serious adverse events are sporadic. We found acupuncture treatment during pregnancy was associated with few serious adverse events, and we evaluated all of them as unlikely to have been caused by acupuncture treatment. The estimated incidence of adverse events associated with acupuncture in pregnant women was 193 per 10 000 acupuncture sessions.”

Are there specific acupuncture points that are dangerous?

In classical Chinese medical texts, there are records of forbidden points you should not use during pregnancy. However, according to a study by David John Carr, there was no evidence that acupuncture caused adverse reactions in clinical control studies or observational studies in pregnant women when using forbidden points. However, there are still many questions unanswered, and more research is needed.

The same acupuncture point may have different effects depending on the gestational period of pregnancy. One point may be very beneficial during the first trimester and avoided during the third trimester. A qualified practitioner will be aware of the risks and benefits when choosing each acupuncture point and create a treatment plan that is effective and safe for you. 

How do I find an acupuncturist I can trust?

Ensure you find a qualified practitioner in BC registered with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners & Acupuncturists (CTCMA). The CTCMA protects the public and regulates the acupuncture profession in BC. You may also look for an acupuncturist who is a member of the Obstetrical Acupuncture Association (OBAA) or the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (ABORM). Please note, an acupuncturist may still be qualified even if they are not a member of these associations.

Acupuncture is safe and very beneficial during pregnancy when practiced by a qualified healthcare provider. There is no evidence of increased miscarriage or premature births when acupuncture is used to treat pregnant women. During each trimester, your acupuncturist will choose acupuncture points that are safe and effective for your unique situation. Your acupuncturist must be registered with the CTCMA and may also be a member of the OBAA or ABORM.

Have you used acupuncture during your pregnancy? Why and what was your experience?

Sources Cited in this Article

Park, J., Sohn, Y., White, A. R., & Lee, H. (2014). The Safety of Acupuncture during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review. Acupuncture in Medicine, 32(3), 257–266. https://doi.org/10.1136/acupmed-2013-010480

Carr, David John. “The safety of obstetric acupuncture: forbidden points revisited.” Acupuncture in medicine: journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society vol. 33,5 (2015): 413-9. doi:10.1136/acupmed-2015-010936

College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners & Acupuncturists (CTCMA): https://www.ctcma.bc.ca/

Obstetrical Acupuncture Association (OBAA):https://ob-acupuncture.com/

American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (ABORM): https://aborm.org/