Fertility, Pregnancy & postpartum

Gentle support through Chinese medicine at every stage from early pregnancy through to recovery after birth

Fertility & conception

Chinese medicine can support women who are trying to conceive — whether naturally or alongside IVF or IUI. Treatment focuses on the full picture: cycle regularity, hormonal balance, and overall wellbeing. For a more personal exploration of this topic, including case studies from my clinical experience, read my blog post here.

Support during pregnancy

Pregnancy brings profound change to the body. While this is a natural process, it can also come with significant discomfort — physical, emotional, and hormonal. Chinese medicine offers gentle, individualised support throughout pregnancy for a range of common complaints.

Conditions that can be supported during pregnancy include:

Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy
Fatigue and exhaustion
Pelvic girdle pain and lower back pain
Heartburn and digestive discomfort
Sleep disturbances
Anxiety and emotional changes
Oedema (fluid retention)
Breech presentation

All treatment during pregnancy is adapted carefully to the stage of pregnancy. Safety is always the first consideration.

Birth preparation

From around 36–37 weeks, acupuncture can be used to support the body's natural preparation for birth — promoting relaxation, softening, and readiness. This is sometimes called "pre-birth acupuncture" and is a well-established application within Chinese medicine obstetrics.

Postpartum recovery

The weeks and months after birth - sometimes called the fourth trimester - are a period of significant recovery. Chinese medicine has a long tradition of supporting women during this time, recognising postpartum as a critical window for restoring strength and balance.

Support can be offered for:

Physical recovery after birth (vaginal or caesarean)
Fatigue and depletion
Postpartum mood changes and emotional adjustment
Breastfeeding difficulties
Night sweats and hormonal fluctuations
Pelvic floor recovery (in collaboration with a pelvic floor physiotherapist)

Safety and approach

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine during pregnancy and postpartum are adapted carefully to each individual and stage. Treatment is always discussed in the context of your full medical picture, and collaboration with your midwife, gynaecologist or GP is welcomed.

Would you like to know more about support during pregnancy or postpartum recovery? Book a free 20-minute introductory call.

Read a case story in my blog: Pre-birth Acupuncture