First Trimester – Pregnancy Acupuncture

by Pregnancy SupportReproductive Health

First trimester of pregnancy

For some folks, the first trimester of pregnancy can be the most challenging. With symptoms ranging from extreme fatigue to debilitating nausea, and the sensitive (sometimes secretive) nature of this time can lead to feelings of isolation.

When I work with mum’s in their first trimester, having a safe container to speak openly about their experience is welcomed and often looked forward to.

Some commonly asked questions

How long is the first trimester?

The first trimester lasts from week 1 through the end of week 13 of pregnancy

What part of the baby is growing during this time?

Bones, hair and nails, digestive system, heart, brain, sense of taste and touch, muscle and white blood cells

Is it a Boy or girl?

You probably won’t know if you’re having a baby boy or girl for about 16 or more weeks, but sex is determined at the moment of fertilization.

Some common symptoms during the first trimester

Morning sickness: not all women experience their nausea or vomiting during the morning hours. Symptoms can be felt at any time of the day or night. Some women experience mild symptoms while some require medication to subdue vomiting.

Fatigue: a common symptom (your body is doing some pretty amazing things!) extreme fatigue should be check by your care provider.

Weight gain: if you are feeling more hungry and consuming more calories through the day, some weight gain is completely normal, a greater increase in weight will be noticed later in the pregnancy.

Tips to manage first trimester  symptoms

Rest- if you feel tired, sit down, take a nap, let your body rest. One of the most common complaints I hear in my clinic is about lack of energy in the first trimester, where working long hours, attending many meetings throughout the day, and maintaining our usual social and exercise schedule feels impossible. Listen to your body, yes exercise is important, and letting your body rest during this time is possibly more important.

Eat frequently- eating small meals or snacks consistently throughout the day can help with nausea and vomiting, mood changes and energy levels. Bland, easy to digest foods work well. Think plain crackers, congee, potato soup etc. Always a good idea to keep snacks in your purse, your desk and work and in the car.

Get acupuncture- acupuncture is extremely supportive and beneficial for symptoms like fatigue, nausea, stress/anxiety, mood swings, digestion, threatened miscarriage, etc.

 

 

Stefanie Miska is a Dr. TCM, a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist with a practice focus on reproductive care. Call 1 778 400 6360 to schedule a consult.

 

period

The Menstruation Phase Of Your Menstrual Cycle

by Menstrual CycleReproductive Health

What is happening when you are on your period?period

The first day of bleeding is considered day one of your menstrual cycle. On this day, the hormone progesterone plunges, which causes the uterine lining to shed, AKA “your period”

Each menstrual cycle starts with menstruation (the period). A period is the normal shedding of blood and endometrium (the lining of the uterus) through the cervix and vagina.

A normal period may last up to 8 days, but on average lasts about 3 to 6.

The first day of your period is the start of your menstrual cycle. The reason you might experience menstrual cramps during the first days of your periods is that the uterus lining breaks down and sheds. In order to do this, the muscles of the uterus contract (to help push the blood and tissue down) which can cause cramping.

You begin menstruation- old blood and tissue from inside the uterus is shed through the vagina

Why energy is lower on your period

During your first week, estrogen starts out at its lowest point and begins a steady climb. For the first day or so of this cycle week, the low level of this hormone combined with period-related aches and fatigue may make you a bit quiet and have you preferring to stay close to home.

This is why it is important to rest while you are bleeding. This can be counterintuitive to how society and your schedule is structured. While it may seem less productive for those few days while bleeding, if you allow your body space to rest during this time, your overall productivity will be greater.

What exercise to do when you are on your period

This is a great time to keep your to- do list short, and your calendar clear.

By honouring your body and its rhythms, unwanted symptoms tend to be less.

Simple and gentle movement like yoga, deep stretching, or a walk out in nature are great things to schedule during this time. Strenuous activity should be kept for the other few weeks of your cycle.

 

 

 

Book your consults by calling 1 778 400 6360 or if you are not local, we can connect virtually by booking your 15 minute here.

 

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Am I the right acupuncturist for you?

by Lifestyle

We are so glad you are here! By landing on this page you have taken the first steps on your wellness journey and we are honor to be a part of it.

When you are looking for the ‘right’ acupuncturist, there are many things to take into consideration:

Is this practitioner qualified & licensed to perform this modality?

You should always be seeking out a practitioner who has completed the required training and licensing in their modality, someone who is in good standing with their regulatory body.  All licensed acupuncturists in BC should be in good standing with the CTCMA .

Acupuncturists, herbalists and Dr’s of TCM have all completed thousands of hours of training, ranging from 3-5 years of school followed by rigorous national board exams. That is a lot of years and hours (over 3500) to be jammed into a weekend course for other non-licensed healthcare practitioners.  So, to be safe, it is always best to go with the best qualified practitioner in the field, and if you want someone using acupuncture needles on you, then the most qualified is a Licensed Acupuncturist

Is this practitioner qualified for the services you require?

Acupuncture is becoming more popular and more mainstream. As this ancient medicine becomes a household name, with it, more and more practitioners are using this modality in their other practices. Chiro’s, Physical Therapists (physios), Naturopaths and Medical Doctors can take elective courses to add ‘needling’ to their list of offerings.

This usually takes course over a weekend program lasting only a few hours. In comparison to the strict training in acupuncture school, this is very limited. It is always best to ask what training has been done to find out if it is best suited for your individual situation. It is our opinion that needling (acupuncture) should be done by a registered acupuncturist.

Does this practitioner have a specialty?

Legally in British Columbia, acupuncturists are not allowed to state that they specialize in anything. However, many will have a practice focused on a specific demographic. It is through advanced training and continuing education that practitioners narrow their focus of treatment.

That being said, if you are in pain, seeking out a practitioner that has trained more specifically in sport rehabilitation would be a good option. We have a special focus on digestive health, women’s health, reproductive health (including but not limited to painful periods, PCOS, endometriosis, fertility, pregnancy support)

Do you like this practitioner?

Often clients seek alternative modalities after not receiving the care they wish they had from their primary care provider. Past experiences with other healthcare practitioners have left them hopeless and frustrated. It is important that you feel safe and heard with your acupuncturist. It is also important that you feel comfortable talking with your acupuncturist and feeling free to ask questions Your acupuncturist is working with you to help you get the results you want. This is a joint partnership, and yes, that means you need to participate.

At Ritual Medicine Acupuncture healing is the ultimate priority, it takes both you, the client, and the practitioner to get the best results. That means, it is your responsibility to take your own health into your hands.

Are you ready?

If you nod your head yes to the majority of these statements, then you’ve found the right Acupuncturist in Victoria…

  • Your health is one of your top 3 priorities.
  • You are seeking a private, quiet, welcoming retreat to decompress and recharge with each acupuncture session.
  • You are eager to learn and implement new ways to help support your health.
  • You are willing and able to invest a minimum of 60 minutes per week to acupuncture therapy.
  • You are open to dietary and lifestyle modifications and herbal therapy.
  • You believe that stress, modern-day living, or past or present trauma could be related to your current state of health.
  • You are seeking long-term holistic wellness for mental, emotional, and physical health rather than looking for a quick fix or magic bullet.
  • You feel stuck, stagnant, or paralyzed in your life, and are searching for a means to move forward, gain momentum, and reignite your creative spark.
  • You believe that treating symptoms is only a “band aid” approach and is ineffective at attaining wellness.
  • You are open to address past and current emotional situations or trauma which could be impacting your health.
  • You are willing to address possible addictions (self-medicating, overeating, overworking, alcohol, etc.) that could be affecting your health.
  • You are seeking an Acupuncturist who focused on digestive health and women’s health. Your available times for treatment are compatible with Ritual Medicine Acupunctures office hours.

Does Ritual Medicine Acupuncture sound like a good fit for you?  If so, schedule today, and I look forward to joining you on your journey towards better health and happiness.