Prolonged Sitting During Pregnancy May Affect Placenta Health, Study Finds
A recent study has found that long periods of sitting during pregnancy could potentially affect placental health, which is crucial for the well-being of both mother and baby. (Source: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport)
Study Details
The Queensland Family Cohort study, conducted in Queensland, Australia, discovered that pregnant women who sit for extended periods may face risks to their placenta’s health, impacting fetal development. The research tracked 203 pregnant women, who reported their physical activity levels at 24 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Participants were divided into low, moderate, and high activity groups, with special attention to their daily sitting time. Sitting for more than 8 hours a day was considered excessive.
Key Findings
Using ultrasound technology, the researchers evaluated the health of the placenta, including its stiffness, thickness, and blood flow resistance. They found that overall physical activity levels did not significantly affect placental health. However, women who sat for more than 8 hours daily had stiffer placentas and altered blood flow, indicating potential functional impairment.
Importance
The placenta is vital for providing oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, acting as a crucial bridge between mother and baby. Any factor affecting placental health needs careful attention. This study highlights that excessive sitting could impair placental function, potentially impacting fetal growth.
Implications for Pregnant Women
It’s essential for pregnant women to maintain appropriate physical activity during pregnancy. This study emphasizes the importance of reducing prolonged sitting and encourages regular movement throughout the day to promote placental health and optimize fetal development.
Daily Activities and Exercise Recommendations
Dr. Richard Zeng from Melbourne’s Almond Wellness Centre suggests that healthcare providers should educate pregnant women about the risks of prolonged sitting. They should also encourage regular activity breaks and suitable physical exercises to mitigate these risks and support maternal and faetal health.
Daily Activities
Walking: Aim for 30 minutes of walking daily to stay active and relaxed. Morning or evening walks are ideal to avoid high temperatures.
Household Chores: Light housework, like tidying up or washing dishes, can help maintain activity levels. Avoid lifting heavy objects or prolonged bending.
Standing Breaks: Try to stand and walk for a few minutes every hour to avoid long periods of sitting.
Physical Exercise
Prenatal Yoga: Helps enhance flexibility and strength while reducing stress and anxiety. Consider joining a prenatal yoga class with an experienced instructor.
Swimming: Excellent for full-body exercise with minimal pressure on joints and the back. Slow swimming or water aerobics are good options.
Prenatal Pilates: Strengthens core muscles, improves posture, and balance. Seek guidance from a professional trainer.
Low-Intensity Aerobic Exercise: Activities like light jogging or stationary biking for 20-30 minutes, 3-5 times a week, keeping intensity moderate to avoid fatigue.
Acupuncture for Symptom Relief
Pregnancy Acupuncture: For symptoms like lower back, hip or pelvis pain, acupuncture can be an effective treatment option. It helps alleviate discomfort and promote overall well-being. Ensure treatments are performed by a licensed and experienced practitioner.
Precautions
Consult a Doctor: Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting new activities or exercise routines.
Stay Hydrated: Ensure adequate fluid intake during and after exercise.
Wear Comfortable Clothing: Choose suitable shoes and loose, comfortable clothing.
Listen to Your Body: Stop any activity if you feel unwell, dizzy, or fatigued, and consult a doctor.
Appropriate daily activities and exercise can help pregnant women maintain good physical and mental health, preparing them for childbirth and postpartum recovery.
As fertility/pregnancy acupuncture practitioners Almond Wellness Centre in Melbourne, we’ve had the incredible privilege of witnessing the profound impact acupuncture can have during the third trimester of pregnancy. This stage is like the grand finale before the big birthing show – a time of immense change, both physically and emotionally.
Let’s talk about how acupuncture becomes this magical, holistic support system that not only guides expectant mothers through the final stretch but also turns the birthing experience into something positively extraordinary.
Breech Baby:
Around weeks 34~35, we play the pivotal game of figuring out baby’s position. When things go breech or transverse, that’s when acupuncture and moxibustion take centre stage.
Picture this: a little bit of mugwort herb gently encouraging the baby to do a 180 and get into the head-down position. Studies have shown that this combo, recommended by the birthing experts, has promising success rates. In fact, a Cochrane Library research piece spilled the tea on moxibustion, revealing its potential to turn breech babies.
The outcome? Reduced breech presentations at birth. A win-win that potentially dodges more invasive interventions.
Getting Ready for Labor:
As you hit weeks 36-37, acupuncture treatments become a pregnant person’s best friend. It’s like giving your body a pep talk for the big day. These sessions aren’t just about getting the baby in prime position; they’re about triggering that natural oxytocin release and addressing any pregnancy discomforts like lower back pain or anxiety. Research is totally on board with this, showing us that this approach leads to reduced interventions and improved cervical maturity. It’s like giving your body a VIP pass to the birthing party.
Acupuncture Labor Induction or Preparation?
As we inch closer to week 39 and beyond, acupuncture takes on a whole new role. If the body’s all prepped and ready, it can gently nudge labor along. We’re not talking about forcing things – it’s more like giving nature a little high-five when everything’s just right. And if conditions aren’t quite there yet, acupuncture’s got your back. It refocuses on positioning, cervical readiness, and oxytocin production, prepping the body for labor or easing the way into medical induction.
Labor Pain Relief and Contractions on Cue:
When labor finally kicks in, acupuncture waltzes onto the scene offering fantastic pain relief and boosting those contractions. While it’s not exactly the star of the show in Melbourne hospitals, acupressure techniques come in as the trusty sidekick. In our world as a fertility and perinatal care acupuncturists, we guide expectant parents in unleashing the power of acupressure points for pain management and labor support.
A Symphony of Birthing Support:
Acupuncture in the third trimester isn’t just about kickstarting contractions; it’s a whole symphony of support. We’re talking optimal positioning, cervical readiness, and a natural flow for the birthing process.
The stories of subtle shifts and profound transformations witnessed in pregnant patients undergoing acupuncture are a testament to the ancient wisdom packed into those tiny needles. Embracing acupuncture during the third trimester isn’t just about getting ready for labor; it’s about creating a birthing experience that’s nurturing, empowering, and uniquely yours.
Questions about pregnancy acupuncture? Curious to dive deeper?
Reach out, and let’s chat. Whether you’re in Melbourne’s northern or eastern suburbs, at Almond Wellness Centre, we’re here to support you on this beautiful journey.
Here’s to the magic of acupuncture and the extraordinary journey ahead!
Acupuncture and acupressure are both alternative therapies rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. They both stimulate specific points on the body to promote healing and relieve various symptoms. While acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points, acupressure involves applying pressure to these points with the fingers, thumbs, or other devices. When acupuncture is not available, acupressure is an alternative and convenient way to help nausea and sickness. This technique is often used for motion sickness, morning sickness during pregnancy, and nausea associated with chemotherapy.
In the context of nausea and sickness, there are specific acupressure points that are commonly targeted. Listed here are 5 best acupuncture /acupressure points for nausea and sickness.
1. ST36 (Stomach 36) or Zu San Li 足三里:
Zu San Li ST36
Location: Situated on the front of the leg, just below the knee and slightly towards the outside.
Function: This point is used for various digestive issues, such as stomach pain, cramping, nausea sickness and vomiting.
Technique: Locate the point by finding the muscle about 1cm lateral to the shin bone. Press the point and rub cross the muscle fibre, until you feel pressure aching sensation of the muscle. Keep the pressure and rub for about 5 minutes. Repeat 2~3 times if nausea /sickness is not relieve.
2. PC6 (Pericardium 6) or Nei Guan 内关:
Nei Guan PC6
Location: This point is located on the inner forearm, about two to three finger widths below the wrist crease, between the two tendons.
Function: Traditionally this point is used for all symptoms related to Heart, Chest and Stomach, such as stomach pain, nausea, chest tightness and palpitation.
Technique: Applying pressure to this point until you feel pressure aching sensation, for about 3~5 minutes. Repeat 2~3 times if nausea /sickness is not relieve.
3. LU10 (Lung 10) or Yu Ji 鱼际:
Yu Ji LU10
Location: This point is located in the middle of greater thenar eminence on the palm side of thumb.
Function: Traditionally this point is used for heat in the lung and digestive issues including nausea and abdominal pain, particularly in children. (it is also called “板门 Ban Men” – the “Wooden Gate” in Chinese infantile Tuina massage)
Technique: Applying pressure to this point until you feel pressure or aching sensation, for about 3~5 minutes. Repeat 2~3 times if nausea /sickness is not relieved.
4. LI4 (Large Intestine 4) or He Gu 合谷:
He Gu LI4
Location: Found on the back of the hand, in the webbing between the thumb and index finger.
Function: traditionally this point is thought to help with various ailments, such as headache, stress, nausea and stomach pain.
Technique: Locate the point in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone, find the muscle next to the bone and apply pressure across the muscle. Keep the pressure and rub for about 3~5 minutes. Repeat 2~3 times if nausea /sickness is not relieved.
5. CV12 (Conception Vessel 12) or Zhong Wan 中脘:
Zhong Wan CV12
Location: Located on the midline of the abdomen, about halfway between the navel and the lower edge of the breastbone,
Function: This point is believed to aid in digestion and alleviate nausea.
Technique: Using thumb or middle finger, applying pressure and rub in a circle motion for 5 minutes. Repeat 2~3 times if nausea /sickness is not relieved.
Note on Effectiveness
It’s important to note that while many people find relief from symptoms through acupuncture and acupressure, scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness can be mixed. Some studies suggest that these techniques may have a positive impact on certain conditions, while others may not find significant benefits.
If you’re considering trying acupuncture or acupressure for nausea or any other health issue, it’s advisable to consult with qualified practitioners from renowned practice like Almond Wellness Centre. They can provide guidance based on your individual health needs and ensure that these complementary therapies are used in conjunction with, not as a substitute for conventional medical care.
As acupuncturists at Almond Wellness Centre in Melbourne, we’ve seen how amazing pregnancy can be. It’s a journey full of joy and sometimes a few challenges. One such challenge is a breech presentation, where the baby is in a bottom-down position. This happens often during the second trimester. While most babies naturally turn head-down before labor, some don’t. This can make birth harder and increase the chance of a caesarean section.
Discovering the Power of Moxibustion
A recent study published in the Cochrane Library explored moxibustion. This traditional Chinese medicine technique might help turn breech babies. Moxibustion involves burning a herb called Artemesia spp. near an acupuncture point on the little toe. This creates a warming sensation that stimulates the uterus. The mother or a trained family member can administer this technique. The goal is to encourage the baby to move into a head-down position before birth.
What the Study Revealed
The study looked at 13 different studies involving 2,181 women and their babies. It found that moxibustion, used with usual care or even sham moxibustion, likely reduces the number of breech babies at birth compared to standard care alone. However, the data on whether moxibustion reduces the need for external cephalic version (a procedure to manually turn the baby) was limited.
Interestingly, moxibustion did not significantly reduce the number of caesarean sections. But it probably reduced the use of oxytocin, a hormone used to induce or strengthen contractions during labor. There was limited evidence on how moxibustion affects the timing of membrane rupture and the acidity of umbilical cord blood.
Researcher’s Conclusion
The study found moderate-certainty evidence that moxibustion, combined with usual care, likely reduces the chance of a breech position at birth. Its impact on the need for external cephalic version remains uncertain. Moxibustion seems to have a minimal effect on caesarean section rates. More investigation is needed to understand its influence on other factors, such as premature rupture of membranes and umbilical cord blood acidity levels.
Almond Wellness Centre Melbourne
At Almond Wellness Centre, we’ve been integrating acupuncture and Chinese medicine with infertility treatments for over two decades. We are proud of our ongoing commitment to helping pregnancy-related symptoms through these ancient practices.
Taking Care of Yourself After Baby – Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Can Help!
Hey new moms, after giving birth, your body and mind need some extra TLC.
We get it – That’s where Chinese medicine and acupuncture come in, offering a helping hand during the postpartum period. Let’s break down how these ancient practices can make a difference:
Bouncing Back Physically
Chinese herbs and acupuncture aren’t just for pain relief; they’re your buddies in the physical recovery game. They help manage those post-birth aches, reduce inflammation, and get your body back on track. Imagine them as your postpartum superheroes!
Emotional Pick-Me-Up
Hormones after childbirth can play tricks on your mood. Enter Chinese herbs and acupuncture, swooping in to balance those hormones, kick stress and anxiety to the curb, and give your emotional well-being a boost. It’s like a mood makeover!
Breastfeeding Support
Got questions about breastfeeding? Chinese herbs and acupuncture might have the answers. They can lend a hand in boosting milk supply and making breastfeeding a success. No wonder studies show that acupuncture can up the milk game!
Recharging Your Batteries
Postpartum life is a real energy-drainer. But fear not, because Chinese herbs and acupuncture are here to recharge your batteries. They tackle fatigue, support your body’s natural healing, and help you regain that post-baby pep.
Meet Almond Wellness Centre
At our acupuncture clinics in Melbourne, we’re all about tailor-made care. Whether it’s suggesting herbal goodness or crafting acupuncture treatments, we’ve got your back. Plus, we’re not just about needles – we’ll throw in some diet tips and lifestyle advice to make sure you’re on the path to a healthy postpartum recovery.
Still wondering if acupuncture and Chinese medicine are your postpartum pals? Everyone’s different, and we get it.
Ming Ho, 1 Tsai-Chung Li, 2 and Shan-Yu Su 3. The Association between Traditional Chinese Dietary and Herbal Therapies and Uterine Involution in Postpartum Women. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;
Wei Li, 1 , 2 Ping Yin, 1 Lixing Lao,corresponding author 3 , 4 and Shifen Xu. Effectiveness of Acupuncture Used for the Management of Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Biomed Res Int. 2019; 2019: 6597503.
Shuaishuai Wang etc. Efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine Zengru Gao to promote breastfeeding: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018
