Clinical Challenges in Pregnancy

This class addresses eight major disorders or complications of pregnancy for which Western medicine has little recourse.  For each of these conditions, acupuncture and its associated methods for patient self-care in many cases not only relieves immediate distress, but also sets the pregnancy back on a healthier course, potentially reducing interventions and improving outcomes in the third trimester and during labor.  

Nausea, vomiting and fatigue are not only unpleasant; when excessive they also pose immediate danger to the pregnancy, as well as signaling possible maternal immune resistance to implantation of the placenta.  Poor placental implantation can increase likelihood of preeclampsia and small-for-dates babies.  Chinese medical differential diagnosis and treatment identifies patients at higher and lower risk for these challenges, and provides options for treatment and self-care throughout the pregnancy that may improve perinatal outcomes.  Threatened miscarriage is another commonly occurring situation for which Western medicine has little clinical care to offer, despite considerable insight into underlying mechanisms.  It is well demonstrated that weekly supportive care improves outcomes, while there is some evidence that patients are both happier and healthier when that supportive care is acupuncture.

Other conditions for which acupuncture seems to offer considerable benefit when added to available Western options, are also discussed as follows:

•  Itching during pregnancy (PUPPPS rash; intrahepatic cholestasis)

• Oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios

• Preeclampsia and gestational hypertension

• Intrauterine growth restriction (small-for-dates babies)

• Premature labor onset (premature contractions; premature prelabor rupture of membranes)

• Labor preparation, for prevention of prolonged pregnancy

Acupuncturists taking this class can expect to understand how these complicated Western pathologies relate to alterations of Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang, in which they are already expert. Midwives or other obstetrical providers not licensed to perform acupuncture will find clear guidelines for home self-care and/or acupuncturist referral, as actively useful alternatives to ‘expectant management’.