Along with all the excitement of pregnancy can come some unwanted symptoms like nausea or back pain. There are many solutions available, and acupuncture has been shown to be safe and effective for pregnancy complaints. Acupuncture has been used for over 2000 years to alleviate these conditions, as well as to promote easier labour and postpartum healing. One acupuncture offering guaranteed to bring a smile to your face is known within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as “Happy Baby” treatment. Here's why you should consider giving it a try!
Happy baby, happy mama!
The classic texts of Chinese medicine promise that if you needle the happy baby point in pregnancy, the woman will have a happy baby that sleeps through the night. Treatments given once a month during pregnancy promote good health for mother and baby. During the last month, treatment once a week can help prepare for the upcoming birth.
In TCM, "kidney" is a "zang" organ (one of 5 fundamental systems of energy) that governs birth, growth, reproduction, and development. Kidney jing (essence) is the foundation of the yin and yang for all of the body’s organs. Acupuncture points located on the Kidney meridian, such as KI 9, are often used by acupuncturists to tap into the Kidney energy relevant to many pre- and postpartum conditions.
The Chinese name for KI 9 means “guest house” or “building for the guest”. The true claim to fame for KI 9 is its traditional use as the “happy baby” point. According to Royston Low's Acupuncture in Gynaecology and Obstetrics, “Stimulating this point minimizes the transmission of toxins from the mother to child, increases the health of the baby and its resistance to disease and also tonifies the mother’s Q”. KI 9 is known to calm the mind, relieve anxiety and hypertension, and help to build blood. The TCM concept of “building blood,” in order to strengthen both baby and mother for postpartum recovery, is very important. “Strong blood” ensures good sleep and helps us wake feeling rested. It keeps us calm.
How Happy Baby Treatment is done
Zhubin (KI 9), the "happy baby” or "beautiful baby" point, should be needled at the end of third and sixth months of pregnancy to ensure a happy, healthy, and beautiful baby. KI 9 is one of 27 acupuncture points located on the Kidney meridian. It is located bilaterally on the medial aspect of the calf.
Acupuncture for the childbearing set
Along with Happy Baby Treatment, acupuncture can relieve many symptoms during and after pregnancy:
- Morning sickness and nausea
- Insomnia and fatigue
- Threatened miscarriage
- Headaches & migraines
- Sciatica and back ache
- Breech presentation
- Labour preparation – cervical ripening and labour induction
- Labour pain reduction
- Postpartum care – post-operative healing, depression, mastitis, vaginal discharge, insufficient/excessive lactation.
We all want to make the best health choices we can to benefit our baby. Pregnancy is an amazing motivational force for better living. You may find that you’re ready to eat better, live greener, and try new approaches to wellness like yoga, hypnosis, meditation, or acupuncture. There are multiple conditions that come together to make a baby happy, and Happy Baby Treatment may be one of them!
