Morning sickness is very often one of the most uncomfortable and frustrating things about pregnancy, or at least the first trimester of pregnancy. More than two thirds of all women will experience some degree of morning sickness. Making the situation even more difficult is the fact that many of the medications, whether they are over-the-counter of they are prescription medications, have not been sufficiently tested to be safe for pregnant women. Even those medications that may be safe can still have a variety of undesirable side effects. Because of this, many women with morning sickness have turned to a variety of alternative therapies and alternative medications, including acupuncture.

Acupuncture has been used for centuries to relieve nausea and vomiting. Acupuncture intended to help with nausea or vomiting typically involves inserting a needle right around two inches above the wrist crease on each arm. This place is called the “PC6″ point. The insertion of the acupuncture needle is relatively painless. In addition, because the acupuncture point is nowhere near the abdomen or the uterus, there is no chance of the acupuncture procedure accidentally injuring your baby.

To be certain, acupuncture does not work for everyone. There are certainly other alternative therapies that may help with your morning sickness. If you can’t tolerate the idea of acupuncture, for example, acupressure may also be able to help with morning sickness. In fact, there are even several manufacturers that make acupressure wrist bands that will stimulate roughly the same area that acupuncture intends to deal with. Other potential solutions to morning sickness might include changes in diet to avoid fatty or spicy foods, making certain that you are hydrated, eating several small meals during the day instead of three larger ones, and the use of herbal supplements. In particular, ginger seems to be an especially effective supplement that helps many women with their morning sickness.

As with any alternative procedure, you should discuss getting acupuncture with your health care provider before you actually have the procedure. There may be specific reasons why, in your case, it may or may not be a good idea.

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