Pregnancy Acupuncture · Paradise Point
Pregnancy Acupuncture Gold Coast
We see women at every stage of pregnancy at our Paradise Point clinic on the Gold Coast, from the early weeks right through to getting ready for birth, and the acupuncture itself is gentle and adjusted to wherever you’re at.
All of our practitioners are AHPRA registered acupuncturists and AACMA members with years of clinical experience behind them, a good deal of it with pregnant women. Each session is adjusted to your trimester and whatever you’re experiencing on the day.
A lot of the women we see here first came to us for fertility acupuncture, and we just carried on once they fell pregnant. If that’s you, you already know how we work, it’s just a different stage now.
Trimester by trimester
How acupuncture may support you during pregnancy
Acupuncture during pregnancy is gentle and adapted to each trimester, so we use carefully chosen points that are safe and appropriate for where you’re at, and steer clear of anything that’s contraindicated in pregnancy.
First trimester
- Nausea and morning sickness (or all-day sickness, which is honestly super common)
- Fatigue and low energy
- Anxiety about the pregnancy, especially after loss or a long time trying
- Headaches and migraines
Second trimester
- Back and pelvic girdle pain
- Heartburn and digestive discomfort
- Sleep difficulties
- Mood changes
Third trimester
- Lower back and hip pain
- Breech or posterior baby positioning (from 34 weeks)
- Birth preparation and cervical ripening
- Anxiety and stress about labour
Every pregnancy is different, and what helps at 12 weeks is different to what helps at 38 weeks, so your treatment reflects that.
The nice thing is, we work with all of these every week in clinic.
Breech & birth prep
Breech presentation and birth preparation
Moxibustion for breech babies
If your baby is in a breech position after 34 weeks, moxibustion (a gentle warming technique using a herb called Mugwort) may help encourage your baby to turn, and it’s actually one of the most well researched applications of Traditional Chinese Medicine in pregnancy.
We’ll show you how to keep it going at home between sessions, and it’s something your partner can help with too. It’s gentle and relaxing, actually one of the gentler things we do, and couples tend to really enjoy the process together.
Pre-birth acupuncture (from 36 weeks)
Pre-birth acupuncture is a series of weekly sessions from 36 weeks to help get your body ready for labour. Research suggests it may help with cervical ripening and may support a more efficient labour. Pre-birth sessions focus on:
- Supporting cervical ripening
- Encouraging baby into an optimal position
- Calming the nervous system and reducing pre birth anxiety
- Building energy reserves for labour
Want something to do at home in the meantime? We’ve put together a free acupressure handout with simple points you and your partner can use through pregnancy and labour. And once the baby is here, postpartum acupuncture picks up where the pregnancy sessions leave off.
Safety
Is acupuncture safe during pregnancy?
Yes. When it’s done by a qualified acupuncturist who’s trained in pregnancy acupuncture, it’s considered safe through all three trimesters.
We stick to specific pregnancy-safe acupuncture points and avoid any that are contraindicated, and Conor has over 13 years of experience behind him, a lot of it with pregnant women, hundreds of them by now.
Always let your midwife or obstetrician know you’re having acupuncture, and we’re happy to be in touch with your care team too.
The evidence
What the research shows
Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy is one of the most studied areas. A Cochrane review, which is considered the gold standard of medical evidence, found support for acupuncture and acupressure in reducing pregnancy-related nausea, and for a lot of the women we see it’s the reason they first come in.
Back and pelvic pain is another area with good support behind it. Research has found acupuncture may be more effective than standard care alone for pregnancy-related lower back and pelvic pain, which is something a lot of women get told to just live with for the whole pregnancy.
For breech presentation we use moxibustion (a warming technique applied near the little toe) from around 33 to 35 weeks, and research found it increased the rate of babies turning head-down compared to those who didn’t receive treatment. It doesn’t work every time, but the evidence is encouraging and the treatment itself is gentle.
Pre-birth acupuncture from 36 weeks has been studied too, with one New Zealand trial finding women who had regular sessions had a lower rate of medical induction than those who didn’t.
We’re always happy to talk through the evidence if you want to know more, including the limitations.
What to expect
Your first pregnancy acupuncture session
Around 60 minutes.
- An unhurried conversation about your pregnancy, symptoms, and overall health
- Gentle acupuncture treatment in a comfortable position (usually side lying as pregnancy progresses)
- A suggested treatment plan based on your trimester and what you’re experiencing
- Time for any questions
How often should I come?
- For specific symptoms (nausea, pain): weekly until symptoms improve, then as needed
- For general pregnancy support: fortnightly through second and third trimester
- For pre-birth preparation: weekly from 36 weeks until birth
- For breech presentation: 2-3 sessions close together from 34 weeks
A combined approach
Pregnancy support with naturopathy
If you’d like more support during pregnancy, our naturopath Hannah Ward works online, Australia-wide, and can work alongside your acupuncture sessions. Hannah has a Master’s in Reproductive Medicine and specialises in pregnancy and postnatal care, so this is very much her area. Naturopathy during pregnancy can help with:
- Nutritional support for each trimester
- Safe herbal medicine for pregnancy symptoms
- Iron, folate, and nutrient status support
- Gestational diabetes dietary guidance
- Preparing your body for breastfeeding and postpartum recovery
You can work with Conor, Hannah, or both, and if you’re not sure which, get in touch and we’ll help you figure it out.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have acupuncture in the first trimester?
Yes. Acupuncture is safe from early pregnancy when it’s done by a qualified practitioner, and the first trimester is actually when a lot of women first come to see us, usually for the nausea and the tiredness. We use gentle techniques and carefully chosen points that are safe in early pregnancy.
I’ve had a miscarriage before. Is acupuncture safe?
We know pregnancy after loss can be a really anxious time, and acupuncture is considered safe through it, a lot of women find the sessions supportive, physically and emotionally. We always work within what feels comfortable for you, and if that changes week to week, that’s totally fine.
Will my health fund cover pregnancy acupuncture?
A lot of private health funds cover acupuncture under extras, and we have a HICAPS terminal in the clinic so you can claim on the spot. It’s worth checking with your fund for exactly what your cover includes.
When should I start pre birth acupuncture?
We recommend starting no later than 36 weeks, with weekly sessions from there until birth, and if your baby is breech we can start moxibustion from 34 weeks.
Can my partner come to sessions?
Of course, partners are welcome at any appointment. And if your baby is breech we actually teach your partner how to do the moxibustion at home, so it’s something you do together.
Ready when you are
Appointments are booked online or by phone, or start with a free 10-minute call.