Pregnancy
Pregnancy acupuncture and maternity reflexology safely support pregnant women, aiming to promote a healthy, viable pregnancy, and natural birth.
Why Choose Us?
Over 20 years clinical experience
Specialism in pregnancy acupuncture, and maternity reflexology
Former pregnancy acupuncturist at The Zita West Clinic
Acupuncture experience at home-birth, midwifery-led birth-centre, and hospital labour ward
We run acupuncture workshops for midwives, and obstetricians
Members of British Acupuncture Council, and Acupuncture Childbirth Team
Pregnancy Acupuncture
1st Trimester Acupuncture
Weekly acupuncture until week 12 to promote to help prevent miscarriage, manage nausea and vomiting, increase energy, prevent constipation and bloating, and reduce anxiety and help sleep.
2nd Trimester Acupuncture
Every 2-4 weeks, acupuncture can help maintain health and prevent common pregnancy symptoms; back pain, hip or pelvic pain, cramps, stress, SPD, sciatica, indigestion, hemorrhoids, insomnia.
3rd Trimester Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a natural and gentle treatment to support the 3rd trimester, either for general health, to turn a breech baby, prepare for child birth, ease carpal tunnel syndrome, oedema, or an induce labour.
Turn Breech Baby (Moxa)
Acupuncture and Moxibustion is recommended for breech presentation. Research highlights a reported success rate of 84.6% after 34 week. We teach clients how to use a moxa stick at home.
Pre-birth Acupuncture
Pre-birth acupuncture refers to four weekly treatments beginning at 36 weeks’ gestation to prepare women for childbirth. Pre-birth acupuncture has positive effects in softening the cervix and optimum positioning.
Labour Induction Acupuncture
Acupuncture for labour induction may involve up to three sessions, possibly on consecutive days. It promotes relaxation, ripens the cervix and stimulates the hormone that triggers contractions (oxytocin).
Post-birth Acupuncture
Acupuncture or ‘Mother warming’ is a treatment given to women post-birth to increase energy, re-balance hormones, support recovery from c-section or vaginal birth, and to promote healthy milk supply.
Maternity Reflexology
Maternity Reflexology
Reflexology safely promote health and well-being during pregnancy. Recommended during the second and third trimester only, to prepare for birth and to induce labour naturally.
Pregnancy Nutrition
Pregnancy Nutrition
Nutritional consultations are available to ensure optimum nutritional supplementation for mother and baby, and to promote healthy eating during pregnancy and post-birth.
Conditions
Pre-natal
Pre-natal acupuncture or maternity reflexology to stop smoking, promote relaxation, aid fertility naturally or in conjunction with fertility treatments, such as IVF and IUI. Recommended if there is a history of miscarriage or complexities with previous pregnancies.
Ante-natal
Ante-natal acupuncture or maternity reflexology for morning sickness, muscular skeletal conditions, headaches, insomnia, ante-natal depression and anxiety, breech presentation, preparation for birth, and labour induction.
Post-natal
Post-natal acupuncture or maternity reflexology for hormonal balancing post birth, c-section recovery, breastfeeding and lactation, post-natal depression.
Our Pregnancy Experience
Having worked in private practice for over 20 years, and at the renowned Zita West Fertility Clinic in London led to an in-depth knowledge of pregnancy, the miracle of life, and love for new born babies, and children.
As part of a medical team comprising of Zita West, a consultant midwife, Dr Raj Rai, a leading miscarriage specialist, and a team of health professionals, we supported expectant mothers, and celebrity clients from all over the world.
Many clients have a personal story to share whether it be about their fertility journey, birth stories or history of previous pregnancies. What our clinics offer is professionalism, a safe haven, empathy and understanding. We personalise every consultation, every treatment. We want you to have a gentle, and relaxing experience.
We have attended home births, and supported women during active labour and birth in hospitals, working closely with Doula’s, midwives and obstetricians. We have run educational acupuncture workshops in midwifery-led birth units, and hospitals covering acupressure techniques during pregnancy and birth.
Happy Clients
“I approached Charlotte as some of my NCT friends had seen her for support during their pregnancies. I was experiencing terrible sickness and vomiting and had no energy to do anything.
After three sessions of acupuncture, my nausea subsided and I could return to work. Charlotte’s Blackheath Clinic is beautiful, so calm and peaceful. Her treatments were amazing and I felt so much better each time. Totally recommend Charlotte for support during pregnancy.“
Charlotte Cummings
London
“Charlotte was recommended to me by my midwife and DOULA for help with natural labour induction. It was a low risk pregnancy but the idea of a medical induction made me anxious and I wished to avoid this at all costs.
I was 8 days over due and after only one session of acupuncture, labour commenced during the night. I birthed my baby daughter naturally at home in a birthing pool.
Thank you Charlotte for your professionalism, gentleness and positivity, my dream of a home both came true”
Emma Clarke
Essex
“I came to see Charlotte for the pre-birth acupuncture programme at the suggestion of my independent midwife.
I had heard that it was a supportive and safe therapy in the latter stages to prepare for child birth. I really enjoyed these four acupuncture sessions from week 36.
I felt very relaxed and Charlotte is lovely and highly experienced. With a two year old at home, it was important to have some time to focus on my and my baby. My son was born naturally a few days before my due date. The pregnancy was quick and unlike my first child, I did not require medical intervention. I really recommend the pre birth acupuncture to any pregnant women, I think it really made a difference.”
Robin Mason
Sevenoaks, Kent
F.A.Q.
Does acupuncture reduce risk of miscarriage?
Within fertility research, acupuncture demonstrates beneficial hormonal responses with decreased miscarriage rates, raising the possibility acupuncture may promote specific beneficial effects in early pregnancy. Pregnancy acupuncture is recommended weekly during the first trimester.
Does acupuncture help with morning sickness?
An Australian study of women in early pregnancy found those who received acupuncture treatments for four weeks experienced less nausea and dry retching than women who didn’t receive acupuncture treatments[1].
[1] Smith C, Crowther C, Beilby J. Acupuncture to treat nausea and vomitting in ealry pregnancy: a randomised controlled trial, Birth, 2002 Mar;29(1):1-9.
Is acupuncture safe during pregnancy?
Yes, acupuncture is a safe therapy for all stages of pregnancy. The Acupuncture Space specialise in pregnancy acupuncture, and are trained to know which acupuncture points are helpful during pregnancy and which points should be avoided. There are 6 bilateral points on the hands and shoulders, and around the lower leg, ankle, and low back that are contraindicated during most of pregnancy.
My baby is breech, what can I do?
Acupuncture and Moxibustion, is recommended for breech presentation. Research studies highlight success rates in excess of 84% after 34 weeks. A moxa stick is used on a daily basis at home to turn the baby into a head down position.
How effective is acupuncture for labour induction?
According to one study, 70% of the women who received acupuncture went into labor on their own, compared to 50% who received standard care. The women who received acupuncture were also less likely to deliver by cesarean section — 39% compared to 17%. Both acupuncture and acupressure help soften and dilate the cervix with onset of labour contractions.
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