Pregnancy is an incredibly special and influential time for our bodies. We are not only creating a baby, we are also going through profound changes that can ripple throughout our lives.

Having support during this time to help us navigate nausea, what to eat when, how to supplement for optimal pregnancy and development of baby, how to best care for and prepare our bodies for birth is invaluable for both mama and baby.

First Trimester

Baby’s most critical development happens during this time. Eating well, getting gentle exercise and rest and avoiding toxins are all very influential right now.

I encourage weekly acupuncture treatments during this time, which can bring ease to morning sickness, ensure optimal nutrition for baby’s development, and support emotional balance during this tenuous time of pregnancy.

Second Trimester

For many, this period is a time of more ease, perhaps a glow, and the beginnings of a bump. During this phase, I encourage treatments as needed to support such things as headaches, heartburn, leg cramps, back, leg or wrist pain and to support and guide the changing diet and nutritional needs of this time.

Third Trimester

This is a time when your body has grown a great deal, you may be feeling very full, have gained significant weight and are much more aware of baby’s movements and position. You may experience shortness of breath, frequent urination, swelling in hands and feet, varicosities, difficulty sleeping, back and hip pain, and emotions related to your upcoming birth. Later in this trimester concerns such as breech presentation, amniotic fluid balance, and it will be time for supportive labor preparation as well. I recommend weekly acupuncture treatments, which may also include bodywork and moxa, starting at about week 32-34. This can include support for breech presentation if needed, and studies show that labor prep acupuncture can help reduce the length of labor, prevent overdue births and accelerate cervical ripening and dilation.

Postpartum

This is truly your fourth trimester, and unfortunately is often not discussed and prepared for enough by doctors and healthcare practitioners. Our body has just accomplished a herculean feat, and has to transition immediately into nourishing baby, while we we are doing a lot of physical, and often emotional recovery. We have just moved through a rite of passage, and need support in gracefully opening into this next phase of our lives.

I offer in - home postpartum visits, including moxa, herbal therapies and massage. I recommend at least 2-3 visits, more if experiencing challenges with breastfeeding, sleeping, emotions or pain.

Pregnancy Packages