One of the most challenging and rewarding times in a woman’s life is bringing a child into being and giving birth. Dr. Tracy has treated dozens of pregnant women and helped support them through labor preparation and recovery. Your hormonal fluctuations, discomfort, sleep cycle changes, and the changes to your body can be overwhelming. Acupuncture can do a great deal to help alleviate common pregnancy issues that most women have to live with until they give birth. If you have:
Breech Presentation: Moxabustion, is a TCM warming treatment, that involves burning an herb called Artemesia Sinensis. It has been used for a variety of ailments for thousands of years. By hovering the incense-like stick over certain acupuncture points, a therapeutic result is affected. This is also the case in the treatment of breech presentation. Dr. Hackett gives you comprehensive preparation on the use of moxabustion to help your baby turn on its own. It is best to start this treatment earlier in your third trimester rather than later. The package for this therapy includes a health review, an acupuncture and moxa treatment, and the moxa instruction for self-care at home.
Labor Preparation: Dr. Hackett studied with Claudia Citkovitz and Brooklyn’s Lutheran Medical Center (2013) to understand the best methods for assisting women to prepare for one of the most amazing experiences of their lives: childbirth. Usually starting at week 38, but even for those who are past due, acupuncture can be a powerful tool in helping mother and child meet the challenge of beginning the birthing process. The treatment is NOT an induction technique, but rather an encouragement of the body’s natural process. Each treatment plan is developed according to your particular presentation, which can include gentle massage techniques taught to your birthing partner to incorporate into your birth plan.
Along with the support mentioned above, prepare for your 28-week gestational diabetes challenge by keeping your glucose levels under control with safe nutritional supplements and simple dietary changes. Dr. Hackett recommends that you request fruit juice in place of the usual glucose dose (often made of HFCS, which is GMO) given at most exams.
Swelling reduction and pre-eclampsia prevention care are things Dr. Hackett help you with as well. If you can prevent gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia in your first pregnancy, you can more easily reduce your risks in subsequent pregnancies.
Acupuncture has been shown to help with hyperemesis gravis symptoms, so it is likely powerful enough to help with the other ailments you are suffering: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2913953/pdf/1741-7015-8-46.pdf
Dr. Hackett also recommends that you use homeopathics for cold prevention; gentle, pregnancy-safe herbs/foods for reflux and constipation. She provides safe and effective acupuncture for the treatment of back pain, sciatica, aching varicose veins, moodiness, and insomnia.
Aftercare: One of the most commonly overlooked, yet extremely necessary, aspects of fertility treatment is postpartum care. It is an extraordinary life change that you have just experienced. Your body needs to heal and rejuvenate. Acupuncture and moxabustion can help speed the healing process and encourage better abdominal tone. Acupuncture is also effective in helping encourage your milk production.
For centuries, Chinese and Pacific Island women have utilized a practice called “mother roasting”. It is a process of restoring a woman’s yang and essence after giving birth. The process involves keeping the new mother warm with moxa treatments and with specially prepared foods that gently nourish her and her newborn. This wonderful rejuvenation process can be recreated for you in your home. Inquire with Dr. Hackett to organize this with your doula and friends celebrating the new life you are welcoming into the world.
I can't thank you enough, Dr. Hackett. I was so afraid of going through labor for the first time. The labor prep acupuncture treatments, Reiki, and herbs worked seamlessly with my birth plan. I had a lot less pain and anxiety than I was expecting and my baby came faster than I was prepared for. I'm amazed. My midwife said the same. It had to be the treatments that made the difference.`` - Amanda S.