There’s something incredibly powerful about the journey into motherhood, an unfolding that starts long before the first scan or baby bump. For many women, the path to pregnancy begins with a longing, a hope, sometimes after months or even years of trying. It’s this whole arc, from the earliest days of conception and fertility support to the aches and emotional tides of pregnancy, all the way to birth preparation, that I feel deeply honoured to walk through with the women I treat.

Fertility and Conception: Laying the Foundations

Every pregnancy journey is different, but they often begin in a place of preparation, sometimes excitement, sometimes uncertainty. Whether a woman is trying to conceive naturally or going through assisted methods like IVF or egg freezing, acupuncture can help create the most supportive environment possible within the body.

By encouraging better blood flow to the reproductive organs, regulating menstrual cycles, supporting ovulation, and calming the nervous system, acupuncture helps rebalance the body and optimise its natural rhythms. Often, it’s about tuning into what the body is trying to tell us, whether that’s working through irregular periods, symptoms of PCOS, or the effects of stress on hormones.

But it’s not only physical. The emotional weight of fertility challenges can be immense. My role is also to hold space, somewhere women can exhale, feel heard, and come back to themselves during what can be an intensely emotional time.

Early Pregnancy: Calming the Storm

The early weeks and months of pregnancy are often painted in soft, glowing colours in the media, but the reality for many women includes waves of nausea, bone-deep fatigue, and heightened anxiety. Your body is doing something miraculous, but it can feel anything but magical.

Acupuncture can be a huge support in these first weeks, soothing morning sickness, improving digestion, helping with sleep, and reducing anxiety. It’s not uncommon for women to feel caught between excitement and overwhelm in those early days. Through acupuncture, we can support the nervous system, encourage rest and reduce symptoms that can make these weeks feel more manageable and even empowering.

Mid to Late Pregnancy: Treating the Aches, Pains and Everything In Between

As pregnancy progresses and your body continues to adapt, new challenges often arise. This is where acupuncture really shines. I regularly support women dealing with:

• Back pain and sciatica, common as the growing baby shifts your centre of gravity and puts pressure on the lower spine

• Carpal tunnel syndrome, caused by swelling and fluid retention, often leading to pain or numbness in the hands

• Swollen legs and ankles, particularly towards the end of pregnancy, due to the body’s increased blood volume and slower circulation

• Fatigue, the sheer energy required to grow a baby, can leave even the most robust woman feeling depleted

Acupuncture works by improving circulation, relieving pressure on nerves, reducing inflammation and gently encouraging the body back into balance. Treatments also help promote better sleep, reduce anxiety and support the emotional ups and downs that naturally come with these physical changes.

Pregnancy can be an empowering time, but it’s also demanding. Being able to provide women with space to rest, recalibrate and feel nurtured in their changing bodies.

Preparing for Birth: Encouraging Readiness and Confidence

As women approach their due date, treatments shift focus to birth preparation. This includes helping the body get ready by softening and ripening the cervix, encouraging optimal baby positioning and supporting the body’s natural processes.

I often use acupuncture to help women build energy and confidence for labour, reduce anxiety and alleviate late-stage physical discomfort. These treatments can also help regulate sleep and ease those final few weeks where emotions tend to be running high and sleep can be elusive.

One of the most fascinating and empowering parts of acupuncture at this stage is working with breech presentations. By using specific points, often alongside moxibustion (a form of warming therapy), we can encourage babies to turn head-down, optimising their position for a smoother delivery. The results can be remarkable and often offer women a non-invasive, calming alternative to other interventions.

My Philosophy: Walking With You

What ties all of this together is a deep commitment to walking with women, not in front of them or behind them. Pregnancy isn’t always easy, but when women are supported physically, emotionally, and energetically, the entire journey becomes richer, more connected and more empowered.

I don’t see acupuncture as just a tool for symptom relief (though it’s brilliant at that too). I see it as a way to create space for rest, for rebalancing, for coming back to yourself during a time that can feel incredibly transformative but also overwhelming.

Whether you’re just starting to explore fertility, navigating your first trimester, dealing with pregnancy-related discomforts, preparing for birth, or even working through the emotional terrain of pregnancy loss or disappointment, I’m here to support you with heart, skill and respect.