Complementary Therapies and Maternity Care

Chapter 38 Complementary Therapies and Maternity Care


Women may request the presence of a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioner at the birth. They should ensure that the therapist has a thorough understanding of pregnancy physiopathology, the conventional maternity services and has personal professional indemnity insurance cover.


When a midwife wishes to incorporate some aspect of complementary medicine within her own practice, she must continue to work within the parameters laid down by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (UK).



Acupuncture


Acupuncture is based on the principle that the body has Qi or ‘energy’ lines, called meridians, flowing through it from top to hand or toe. Most of these pass through a major organ, after which the meridian is named. There are 12 major meridians, and 365 points on these in total. These points can be stimulated to release and rebalance the energies, either by the insertion of acupuncture needles or by other means. Sometimes thumb pressure is applied to the points (called acupressure, or the similar practice of shiatsu, the Japanese equivalent); on other occasions, heat is applied via moxa sticks (e.g. moxibustion for breech presentation). Alternatively, suction can be used if the points are covered with special cups (cupping). Acupuncture needles may also be stimulated by mild electric pulsations; this is similar to transcutaneous nerve stimulation, which is used for pain relief in labour.


Certain acupuncture points are contraindicated during pregnancy as they may trigger contractions. Some antenatal conditions respond well to acupuncture or acupressure, including many of the physiological symptoms of pregnancy. In labour, acupuncture may facilitate progress and ease pain, anxiety and tension.



Homeopathy


Homeopathy uses minute, highly diluted doses of substances that, if given in the full dose, would actually cause the symptoms being treated. Most homeopathic medicines are in tablet form but they do not work pharmacologically and will not interact with prescribed drugs, although certain drugs may inactivate the homeopathic tablet. Homeopathy is not, however, completely harmless.


Only one remedy should normally be taken at a time. Studies into the use of arnica (arnica montana) have been inconclusive but it has been found to be useful in postnatal trauma management.

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Related posts:

  1. The Placenta
  2. Trauma During Birth, Haemorrhage and Convulsions
  3. Obstetric Emergencies
  4. Problems of Pregnancy

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Jul 11, 2016 | Posted by in MIDWIFERY | Comments Off on Complementary Therapies and Maternity Care

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