Pregnancy and the postpartum period put both body and mind to the test.
Below, you'll find a list of the different treatments we offer, depending on the stage of your pregnancy/post partum:
Your first trimester (up to and including week 13)
During the first trimester, manual care is not recommended, with the exception of acupuncture.
"Acupuncture can significantly reduce the digestive discomforts that can appear throughout your pregnancy, such as nausea, heartburn or constipation. These symptoms occur as a result of hormonal changes. According to Chinese medicine, these changes cause energy imbalances which induce these discomforts.
On the other hand, it can help with fatigue, insomnia, anxiety or even depression. Developing life is no picnic! Indeed, "feeding" the foetus can cause voids, particularly in the Kidney meridians. The diagnosis carried out during the session enables these voids to be identified, and acupuncture acts on the subtle rebalancing of the body to boost energy.
In addition, as your belly becomes rounder and heavier, it's very common to start suffering from back, pelvic, rib or sciatic pain. These are all symptoms of disrupted circulation of qi (energy) and blood in the meridians, or of an energy imbalance in the internal organs.
By stimulating the acupuncture points, circulation is restored, and pain is reduced or even eliminated. Alongside your acupuncture treatment, it's of course important to maintain a lifestyle that doesn't exhaust you. If you suffer from digestive problems, keep heavy meals, spicy, rich, fatty or fried foods, canned meats, chocolate, alcohol and soft drinks to a minimum. See your gynaecologist regularly and ask any questions you may have (there are no wrong questions)."
Extract from our articles Acupuncture and Pregnancy
Find out more about acupuncture here.
Many women are apprehensive about the bodily transformations associated with pregnancy. If this is your case, we aim to free you from anxiety and the weight of judgment, to help you regain confidence in yourself and your body with a gentle, kind look.
Find out more about sophrology here.
Your second trimester (from week 14)
The body changes throughout pregnancy, and seeks to adapt to these changes by adopting new postures, not always adequate, known as compensatory postures.
Massages will help you with specific problems or for relaxation.
They also improve recovery.
Find out more about therapeutic massage here.
More information on relaxation massage here.
"It is now possible to affirm that the development of the fetus is also linked to the mother's feelings.
A study published by The Conversation, conducted by two researchers at the University of Rennes, has shown that the mother's emotions and psychological state play a major role in the baby's development. In utero, the developing fetus learns about the outside world and shapes itself thanks to this bond forged from the moment of conception."
Extract from our article Microkinesitherapy, pregnancy and child...
Microkinesitherapy can help to eliminate disorders/blockages that our body has stored up following light or heavy trauma, and have a more serene pregnancy.
Find out more about microkinesitherapy here.
When pregnancy goes badly or doesn't go as planned (bedrest, diabetes, etc.), you can find yourself at a loss when faced with events.
We'll work with you to help you face pregnancy and its challenges as calmly as possible, helping you to relieve anxiety and pain and regain confidence in your bodily abilities.
Find out more about sophrology here.
Water retention affects most pregnant women, some as early as the second trimester, and more frequently in the third trimester. This natural phenomenon, mainly hormonal, has a significant influence on weight gain.
It generally affects the legs, but can also be troublesome in the hands. It causes excess tension in the tissues, aggravated during the summer months.
Lymphatic drainage stimulates the lymphatic system, helping to evacuate excess lymph and bring immediate relief. As lymph accumulates, it tends to gel due to the proteins present in the tissues.
This drainage also relieves stress on the venous system during pregnancy, and can prevent the appearance of varicose veins in predisposed individuals.
At the end of the session, it provides a sensation of well-being and lightness.
Sudden water retention may be a sign of hypertension, requiring medical supervision.
Find out more about lymphatic drainage here.
Your third quarter
As term approaches, the thought of childbirth can be a source of real anxiety for many women. Acupuncture can help you prepare both your body and your baby's.
Baby's position from the 34th week
With regard to the baby's position, stimulation of acupuncture points increases the baby's ability to move, to turn into the most favorable position for birth and to stay there.
In an Italian study of 260 primiparous women with a breech presentation at 33 weeks' gestation, 130 were treated with Chinese medicine for a period of 7 days, and 130 formed the control group. In the first group, 75.4% of babies turned over, compared with 47.7% in the control group.
Other studies have shown that the best time to turn the baby into a breech position is at 34 weeks, before he or she is too big. So don't wait until the 38th week to come for acupuncture. Maximize your chances.
Birth preparation from 37 weeks
From the 37th week of pregnancy, it is possible for the patient to undergo prenatal acupuncture treatment once a week in preparation for childbirth. The aim of prenatal acupuncture is to increase the efficiency of labor by reducing its duration, and also to reduce the risk of medical interventions and Caesarean sections during delivery.
One study showed that the average length of labor for women giving birth for the first time was 8 hours and 2 minutes for the 70 women in the control group, compared with 6 hours and 36 minutes for those (70 women) who had received prenatal acupuncture treatment.
Some acupuncture points relax the cervix and pelvis, while others can help induce labor. Most women notice an increase in uterine contractions after 1 or 2 prenatal acupuncture sessions. For these reasons, prenatal acupuncture is only performed from the 37th week of pregnancy.
Extract from our articles Acupuncture and Pregnancy
Find out more about acupuncture here.
Sophrology can help you to experience childbirth by vaginal delivery or Caesarean section with calm, confidence and serenity, using breathing exercises to relax and loosen muscles.
Find out more about sophrology here.
Your postpartum period
In many Asian countries, the month of rest following childbirth is considered extremely important in helping mothers to make a smooth physiological and psychological transition.
In fact, the 30-day period (some texts speak of 100 days [4]) following childbirth requires the body to be toned in order to replenish the blood and energy lost during pregnancy and childbirth.
Acupuncture, combined with Chinese herbs and a suitable diet, enables the new mother to quickly regain her energy levels, while avoiding unpleasant symptoms such as post-partum depression, often referred to as "baby blues".
In addition, Chinese medicine can help resolve other problems that may arise in the period following childbirth, such as persistent uterine bleeding, uterine cramps or insufficient lactation.
Alongside the acupuncture treatment, it's imperative that the mother has sufficient time to rest, while maintaining an appropriate diet and exercise regime. Let's not forget that the mother has to recover from childbirth and a nine-month pregnancy, which takes time.
Extract from our articles Acupuncture and Pregnancy
Find out more about acupuncture here.
It may be advisable to start massaging your scar to avoid adhesions between 4 and 5 weeks after delivery, unless it is still red or the pain is acute and requires consultation with your doctor.
During your 30-minute localized scar massage, you'll learn how to massage the scar yourself, if you wish.
We use shea butter for the massage, for its nourishing and whitening action.
Find out more about scar massage here.
It's not always easy to reconcile your life as a woman with your life as a mother. Sophrology offers you the support you need to evacuate anxiety and negative beliefs, as well as boosting your self-esteem and improving your ability to think positively about these different roles.
Pregnancy, childbirth and the post-partum period can sometimes disrupt a woman's sexuality. There can be many causes: hormonal, psychological, physical and completely natural. We can help you rediscover your sexuality by helping you to let go of your fears and negative thoughts, while stimulating desire.
Find out more about sophrology here.
And finally, welcoming a child into your life is not always easy, so sophrology can also help you if you're dealing with attachment disorders or the baby blues.
In such cases, it's not uncommon to feel guilty, lose self-esteem or even sink into depression, to the point where you can no longer care for your child. Our aim is to help you regain your self-esteem, calm your anxieties and, above all, reassure you of your abilities as a mother and your ability to create a serene bond with your child.
Find out more about sophrology here.
Medically assisted procreation
Sophrology can also be of great help when it comes to medically assisted reproduction. A tailor-made protocol can then be proposed to help the woman cope better with the situation, while freeing herself from stress and anxiety. We'll also look at exercises to help you manage anxiety and pain (both physical and psychological), and trust your body's abilities.
Find out more about sophrology here.
If you have a specific question, please contact us using the link below:
Thank you for reading.