Author: Kerry Goodwin

Traditional Chinese Medicine can support you through your fertility journey and beyond into pregnancy and postpartum. If you are just beginning your journey, know that Chinese Medicine is an excellent complement to optimize fertility. On the other hand, if you are feeling the frustration and even devastating effects of month after month of negative pregnancy tests and are looking for more support or if you are beginning the process of working with a reproductive endocrinologist, consider adding Chinese medicine to your journey.

Yes, Chinese Medicine can help bring balance to the menstrual cycle to optimize fertility but it can also be used to support assisted reproductive treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI), in-vitro fertilization (IVF) for both donor, non-donor cycles, fresh or frozen cycles, as well as controlled endometrial development. Often the medications used in these treatments can be very hard on the body and cause physical and mental discomfort. There is help.

Through the use of acupuncture (needling), moxibustion (heat therapy), diet and lifestyle recommendations, Chinese Medicine will help to support your reproductive cycle. It promotes or may help to establish rhythm if cycles are irregular, support regular ovulation, and optimal length for follicular and luteal phases. It will help support and prevent symptoms of estrogen dominance, low progesterone, support patients experiencing PMDD and reduce PMS symptoms. It will help to decrease adverse effects of symptoms from the medication, improve positive outcomes throughout a medicated cycle, ensure the uterine lining is thick and ready for implantation, improve blood flow to the uterus, decrease stress and anxiety, and support hormonal balance with or without ART methods involved.

So, you may be thinking, what does treatment look like…

We begin the initial visit with a very detailed intake no matter where you are in your journey, meeting you and your partner where you are at and developing a treatment plan tailored specifically for you. The treatment plan is always being monitored and adapted to your needs and in relation to where you are at in your menstrual cycle or where you are at in your ART journey. We include acupuncture treatments that are supporting each particular phase you are in. For example, in the menstrual phase the aim is to move blood, reduce pain and inflammation, clear heat, and support the body with any co-occurring symptoms which may develop. In the follicular phase the focus is on building yin, supporting follicular development, while the body does the hard work of preparing for ovulation and ensuring the lining is thickening and ready for implantation in the luteal phase. During ovulation we focus on the transition from the yin phase of the cycle to the yang phase of the cycle; we encourage more qi and blood flow to the reproductive organs at this time as well when so much is happening. During the luteal phase we encourage/build yang qi, progesterone, and help to support the body with calming the mind and reducing stress, and gentle movement and blood flow to the reproductive organs.

Throughout this process we encourage you to consume foods that nourish your body and organs of digestion in Chinese medicine (spleen and stomach), foods that nourish the kidneys and the jing (or essence), and nourish blood. Often this looks like warm cooked foods that are anti-inflammatory, prioritizing bone broths, soups, stews, omega 3 rich foods, fermented foods, and limiting raw cold foods and avoiding greasy or fried foods. We examine what supplements are being taken and pare it down to focus on nutrients that support preconception health, reducing stress, and supporting a healthy pregnancy. This includes a prenatal vitamin that contains folate or folic acid, b vitamins, and minerals. Magnesium and B vitamins support stress and the nervous system. Nutrients to support a growing baby and brain health such as fish oil and choline, and vitamin D3 for hormone support and immune function. Focusing on getting as much as possible through food and nutrition first and then filling in gaps with supplements if needed.

While Chinese Medicine and Western medicine view reproductive health through different lenses, it is incredibly helpful to apply the framework of Chinese Medicine over what is happening at a physiological level. This includes patterns that arise in your basal body temperature chart, how hormone imbalances may be impacting your individual cycle and body (ie what symptoms are showing up), any diagnosed medical conditions such as PCOS, POI,PMDD, and endometriosis to name a few. Symptoms and signs showing up throughout the cycle, and using a whole symptoms approach. We support the channels/vessels and organ systems involved and help restore balance in the body with gentle manipulation and support.

If you’re interested in seeing how Chinese medicine can support your journey, we are here and would love to work with you on this incredible journey!

Pregnancy is a long journey that brings joy and anticipation to the expecting parent. There are many milestones and hurdles along the way, one of which is understanding your baby’s position in the womb. Malposition in late pregnancy, such as breech (feet first), posterior (sunny side up), or transverse (sideways) can all lead to a lot of concerns and apprehensions as you are preparing for your baby’s arrival. Today’s discussion is about malposition and how East Asian Medicine can help optimize your baby’s position as you move closer to your due date.

A breech pregnancy occurs when baby’s head is positioned upward in the uterus, rather than facing downwards toward the birth canal. While uncommon, it may reduce the chances for a vaginal birth. This positioning can increase the complexity of labor and delivery, potentially necessitating a cesarean section if baby does not turn into a head down position by 38 to 39 weeks. Certain medical interventions are available, most commonly an external cephalic version, or ECV. While a version can be successful, it can be painful and create unnecessary stress for the birthing person and it can be helpful to consider other methods prior to an ECV. It is also helpful to combine the use of East Asian Medicine prior to having an ECV. Other alternative methods to help optimize baby’s position are acupuncture and moxibustion (moxa), specific exercises and stretches in Spinning Babies, pelvic floor physical therapy, and the Webster technique performed by chiropractors. Oftentimes we recommend a combination of each of these to help give baby the best chance to shift position. Each of these alternative methods are non-invasive approaches to help turn baby into the optimal position for delivery. In this blog, we will explore how acupuncture can offer support during a breech pregnancy.

Pregnancy can be accompanied by stress and anxiety, especially when you are being asked to shift your expectations and potentially change your birth plan upon discovering that your baby is not in a head down position. Acupuncture treatments are known to induce a sense of deep relaxation and tranquility, helping to provide a safe and calm space to process what you may be feeling while creating a more favorable environment for baby to adjust its position. Acupuncture also enhances the flow of Qi and blood in the body. When specific acupuncture points are targeted, it can gently encourage baby to move within the womb. By gently stimulating the uterus and surrounding tissues, acupuncture may facilitate baby in repositioning. Imbalances in the pelvic muscles and ligaments may also contribute to a breech presentation. Addressing these imbalances by targeting acupuncture points that correspond to the pelvis helps in softening tight muscles and encouraging proper alignment of the pelvis, creating more space for baby to turn head down.

Moxibustion is another technique that has been shown to increase the chance that a breech baby will turn to the head down position. It involves using the dried herb Ai Ye, or mugwort, to indirectly warm UB-67, an acupuncture point on the toe, to stimulate the baby to move. It is recommended to begin between weeks 34-35, for a minimum 30 minutes a day for ten days (15 minutes on each side). This is something that can be self-administered and done at home. Your acupuncturist can provide you with the tools to do this safely.

External cephalic version(ECV) is a medical procedure, and the most common intervention performed, to manually turn the baby from a breech position to a head-down position. Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with an ECV to improve its success rate and reduce discomfort during the procedure. Studies have shown that combining acupuncture with ECV may increase the likelihood of a successful version by 65%. However, it is important to keep in mind that these recommendations are only for uncomplicated pregnancies. If there are any complications such as abnormal amounts of amniotic fluid, fetal abnormalities, growth issues, vaginal bleeding, a bicornuate uterus, placenta previa, gestational diabetes, or hypertension, a different treatment plan may be needed. This is why it is of the utmost importance to consult your primary care physician and qualified acupuncturist prior to starting any form of treatment.

Acupuncture’s non-invasive nature, along with the potential benefits of relaxation, fetal movement stimulation, pelvic alignment, and complementing medical interventions, make it an excellent option for expectant mothers seeking additional support. As with any complementary therapy, it is essential to consult a qualified acupuncturist and inform your healthcare provider before proceeding. With proper guidance and care, acupuncture may serve as a valuable tool in promoting a breech baby’s natural repositioning, contributing to a smoother and more fulfilling birth experience.

If you would like to read more about the research surrounding moxa for breech care, head over to this link to read an exceptional article written by a fellow MAMPS graduate who is creating great work by reviewing up-to-date research on many important perinatal health topics.

Can Acupuncture or Moxibustion (Moxa) Help with Turning a Breech Baby?

If you are currently or about to start breast/chestfeeding or pumping, it’s possible you may be experiencing a sense of overwhelm as you are navigating the steep learning curve these new skills entail. And the expectation that you “should’ be able to master these skills overnight can give you an extra nagging feeling of not measuring up.  Have you considered how acupuncture and herbal medicine can help with issues such as clogged ducts, mastitis, low milk supply, and techniques to help you along the way?  

 
Everyone’s journey through feeding their baby will look different and there is no one single ‘right’ way. No doubt you have read books or articles about proper nutrition and feeding and have come up with your own individual plan or perhaps one has evolved through trial and error. Just remember, how you care for and feed your baby is a reflection of you and your family’s unique experience and story.  You are the author, and the story is still being written.  So, read on if you would like to learn some excellent ways you can prepare your body to ease you through the process.  

Growing and birthing a baby takes an incredible toll on your body and many of your resources (qi and blood!) go to work to simply sustain your own maternal health.  So, it is essential to ensure your body has the added reserve of resources to produce milk. In Chinese Medicine theory, it is understood that milk is made from the blood.  It is critical to build and strongly nourish blood, both throughout your pregnancy and postpartum.  Qi helps keep blood flowing smoothly and ensures circulation is optimal, so we want to nourish and move qi as well in late pregnancy and postpartum.  Look over the list of foods suggested here and consider how you can incorporate as many as possible into your diet. Make a list and plan some menus. We suggest eating dark leafy greens, sea veggies, trace minerals, bone-in meats, or fish (always organic), grains including oats, millet, barley, and sweet rice.  Legumes are another great food source to nourish the blood and qi: *adzuki, chickpeas, lentils, mung beans, soybeans, *peanuts. Papaya (especially green), one daily if possible, would be excellent.  Sweet potato or Chinese yam, fennel and fennel seed will also increase the supply.  Add these herbs as you cook- basil, marjoram, dill, anise, caraway, turmeric.  Additional ideas include gelatin (from grass fed source), coconut water, and coconut meat.  It is also important to consume ample amounts of fluids by drinking 8-12 cups of water daily. Incorporating soups, stews, and porridges into your diet will also aid in fluid intake.  Herbal infusions are also beneficial during this time and some we love are nettles, red raspberry leaf (which supports the uterus after birth), mint rose, and barley.  We also need qi, or energy to express the milk so (good news!) slowing down and allowing yourself to rest will absolutely benefit lactation. 

In the early days of breast/chestfeeding and pumping, sore nipples are a very common concern (not to mention, really painful!). It is important to find the cause, but there are some things you can do in the meantime to give yourself some relief. A warm soak with Epsom salts or warm compress is like a spa for painful nipples! You can dissolve half a teaspoon of sea salt or Epsom salts in eight ounces of warm water, place the solution in a glass, and invert onto your nipples for about two minutes, five to seven times a day, after pumping or nursing. This should be followed by applying a nipple butter, we like Earth Mama’s. It contains herbs such as calendula and mango seed that moisturize the skin and decrease inflammation. 

Engorged breasts are also normal in the early days of starting breast/chestfeeding or pumping as your milk supply is establishing and increasing.  Nursing on baby’s cues and allowing baby to empty the breast before switching sides is helpful.   Making sure baby is nursing well will minimize engorgement too.  It is also essential to determine if there are any anatomical conditions present that may prevent baby from fully latching or from fully emptying the breast.  Previous breast enhancement, or reduction in mom can have an impact.  Your lactation specialist or pediatrician can help support you in addressing any anatomical issues that may arise.  Importantly, if engorgement is present and does not subside, be aware that it may lead to clogged ducts. A clogged duct may show up as a tender area on the breast, a milk blister, pain during let down, and relief after feeding. Teas that promote healing, pain relief, and circulation are chamomile, ginger, marshmallow root, slippery elm, and burdock which are all safe while breast/chestfeeding.  A warm Epsom salt soak quickly reduces swelling and inflammation to release the clogged duct. This can be done by mixing two teaspoons of Epsom salt into eight ounces of warm water and soaking the breast. There are also multiple acupuncture points that you can apply pressure to in order to address painful breasts such as Small Intestine 11, Small Intestine 1, Conception Vessel 17, and Pericardium 6 (locations can be found on acumeridianpoints.com). Please note: If your breast is red, if you have a fever or chills, body aches, or flu symptoms, contact your health care practitioner immediately.  Flu-like symptoms, in addition to redness and pain at the breast, may be mastitis which must be treated immediately and often requires medical treatment and medication. 

There are many herbs that can help boost milk production. Ba Zhen Tang, or 8 treasure decoction is one of our very favorites to replenish blood, qi, and jing (our prenatal qi). These are vital to promote healing postpartum and address milk production. Motherlove’s More Milk Plus herbal blend contains fenugreek, thistle, nettle, and fennel seed to support milk supply along with the teas listed above.  There are multiple acupuncture points that you can apply pressure to stimulate milk production. These points include Gallbladder 21, Stomach 36, Small Intestine 1, and Conception Vessel 12.  And, finally, we hate to sound like a broken record, but we will because it is so important: drinking an abundance of fluids is essential and listen to the hunger cues; it can be helpful to remind yourself to eat each time you nurse or pump.   

If you are nearing the end of your breast/chestfeeding journey and need to stop milk production, there are many herbs that can help. Sage, peppermint, and parsley leaves are all anti-galactagogues and make great teas for this purpose. 

Breastfeeding and pumping are often a very challenging aspect of motherhood and so, along with the increased fluid intake, we insist that rest is also so very important during this time. And not just physically but for your mental health!  We know it is hard to get, especially when there are other children in the house. But sleep deprivation is a maddening cycle that leads to frustration which leads to… ah(!), you already know!!  If you are fortunate enough to have a strong community of friends and helpers, let them help! Accept all the help. Step out of your comfort zone and, dare we say it, ask for help! Get the rest! 

Be encouraged that you are not alone. There are many resources available. And we are here to support you.  We hope you will put some of these suggestions and techniques into practice, little by little. Every moment of overcoming an issue you face leads to gaining greater confidence and assurance in your journey.