Acupuncture During Pregnancy
Though my clients are always overjoyed to be pregnant, pregnancy can come with anxiety, uncomfortable or undesirable symptoms. In many cases, acupuncture and my naturopathic support can ease these symptoms so you can feel rested and calm again.
Here's how I can help you:
Initial 15-minute consultation – free of charge
If you would like to find out more about acupuncture or working with me, please book a 15-minute consultation by phone, Zoom or in the clinic. In this appointment, we will briefly discuss how I can help you, and you’ll be able to ask questions about me, my process and the benefits of working with me.
Most people attending this 15-minute consultation go on to work with me. In this case, the next stage is an in-person meeting or Zoom call.
In-Depth Consultation
We start with an In-Depth 90-minute consultation which includes acupuncture. We go through your history and health during your pregnancy so far as well as any previous pregnancies. This appoitnment includes an acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture treatment continues – Acupuncture appointments last up to 50 minutes
Acupuncture treatments build upon each other, so your treatment continues with weekly acupuncture for the next four weeks.
Acupuncture during the first trimester: I recommend weekly acupuncture until you are 13 weeks to support your body with maintaining pregnancy, help alleviate uncomfortable early pregnancy symptoms such as nausea and fatigue, and support your mental well-being.
Acupuncture during the second trimester: – If you are feeling well, I recommend a monthly maintenance treatment.
Acupuncture during the third trimester: You can continue with monthly maintenance treatments if you are feeling well. If you are experiencing pain, your baby is not in an optimal position, or if you have other symptoms, we will discuss the therapy which will be best for you.
Pre-birth acupuncture: I offer a course of three pre-birth acupuncture treatments at 37, 38, and 39 weeks to help prepare your body and your baby for birth.
Acupuncture induction: If you do not go into labour spontaneously, I offer an acupuncture induction from 40 weeks.
Postnatal acupuncture: I recommend a monthly treatment during your first year after childbirth to help you to recover and thrive.
Investment: Please contact me for your personalised plan.
We started trying for a baby in 2020 and couldn’t believe that I got pregnant straight away, however, I sadly miscarried a few weeks later. Following that, we’d been trying for around 8 months before I came to see Valerie. I was feeling quite obsessive and lonely with the whole process.
It’s been a long journey since then but I’m now 17 weeks pregnant following our second IVF transfer and we are so excited. I feel relieved, thankful and am enjoying each milestone of pregnancy.
Valerie has supported us with advice and regular acupuncture sessions. These sessions quite quickly lengthened my luteal phase and I found them very relaxing. I also noticed improvements in my energy. I think the most valuable thing over the past 2+ years has been having an ally to navigate the fertility system with, which can feel so overwhelming.
She has advised us on what to push for or do ourselves, from tests with our GP, referrals for additional tests that are not covered by the NHS, IVF and supporting my husband with his varicocele removal. Our funds are limited, and she really helped us to prioritise and persevere through the NHS system.
She’s helped me to feel in control and like we were doing all we can at each stage, despite it being a long process.
Thank you Valerie!
Jess, Bristol
I first approached Valerie after becoming concerned about my short cycle lengths and how it could be impacting our attempts to conceive.
Following an in-depth consultation, Valerie provided insightful advice on my diet, supplements, lifestyle plus some handy tips and tricks. No question was too silly.
After working hard to make some big changes alongside weekly acupuncture sessions, my cycles adjusted and I’m pleased so say I’m now 16 weeks pregnant. Like many women, getting to this point has not been straight forward for me and the amount of information out there is overwhelming.
I decided to build a team of support and I have found working with experts like Valerie to be invaluable. I’m very grateful to her and would recommend her services to anyone who needs help navigating their way through the fog.
Freya, Bristol
Back in December, before working with Valerie I was feeling a bit lost and quite low in energy. I definitely recognized that I didn’t physically feel in a great place. Now, I feel more confident and could not be happier with the outcome we have had post treatment. Acupuncture has really been a game changer for us as we have achieved a pregnancy and are now in our second trimester. The most helpful part has been knowing that we are working with an expert in the world of fertility which can be a bit of a rabbit hole. It has been really helpful to have a plan and be guided through the process. We cannot thank you enough for getting us to this stage and we are so grateful for all your help.
Adam, Bristol
“I suffered from morning sickness. None of the usual stuff worked, but it was definitely better after my sessions”
J.P. Bristol
“I contacted Valerie when I was a few months into my journey to conceiving, having had a miscarriage six months previously. I really appreciate the thorough consultation Valerie did with me and my partner and her friendly, practical/ realistic and non-judgemental approach. I then started having weekly acupuncture sessions with Valerie and found out I was pregnant within the first month of these sessions. It was incredibly reassuring having Valerie as support through this time. From the simple aspect of having someone to check in with each week in relation to what I was feeling and experiencing and to give advice on diet and symptoms such as nausea; to the more therapeutic aspect of receiving acupuncture treatment helping to maintain/balance my energy, alleviate fatigue/ nausea and general aches and pains. During this time, I also had Covid and a cold and felt immediate improvements to reduced breath capacity/ blocked sinuses after acupuncture treatment with Valerie.”
Helen, Bristol
“I first went to Valerie after my frozen embryo transfer was cancelled due to my uterine lining not being thick enough. The fertility clinic didn’t give any further advice on how to improve the situation for the next cycle, so I was looking for some outside help.
Valerie was really helpful and asked a lot of questions at our first appointment to really understand my situation and general health. She recommended a couple of supplements and gave some advice about diet as well as the weekly acupuncture. The acupuncture helped me to relax. Especially with a new job which was stressful, it was important to take some time out.
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Alison W, South Glos
“I’m now 21 weeks pregnant and so happy to get success with our first embryo transfer, as it had already been a long journey to get to that point. I would recommend acupuncture with Valerie to anyone going through fertility struggles to get the mind and body as ready as you can whether trying naturally or with fertility treatments.
After a couple of months, I was ready for the transfer, and the nurse said my uterine lining looked top quality. Valerie went out of her way to provide acupuncture before and after the transfer, which was midday on a Sunday. It gave me a lot of reassurance and was really helpful to help me relax after the stress of the transfer, as well as having someone knowledgeable to talk to.”
Alison W, South Glos
Further investigations and treatment
Depending on your situation, you may need blood tests, scans and further investigations from medical professionals. I may also recommend supplements. I will discuss the benefits of these and relevant costs with you before booking anything or referring you anywhere.
Payment information
I ask all clients to pay online in advance of appointments. Please let me know if you would like to discuss payment by instalment. Options are available to pay weekly, monthly or in full up front, just let me know what works for you.
Cancellation Policy
I ask for a week’s notice to cancel booked session. If you cancel a session with less than a week’s notice and we can’t find another mutually convenient alternative time that week, you will be required to pay for the missed session.
4-week plan:
If you have a pre-booked holiday during your 4-week plan, you can defer up to one weeks’ worth of appointments to the end of your plan. You will not receive any refunds for rearrangements made less than 7 days away from the date of your initial appointment(s).
If I have a pre-booked holiday, I will let you know when you book. If this isn’t possible, and I take a holiday during your 4-week plan, I will add missed appointments to the end of your plan.