Complementary Medicine in Pregnancy & Lactation – Part 2: Acupuncture & Belly Binding

By Thanh Thanh Nguyen, M.S., dietetic intern

Hi hi! Welcome back to another segment on complementary medicine during pregnancy and lactation. Last time, we looked at some herbs and tea that might help with common pregnancy side effects. Today, we’ll be looking at acupuncture and belly binding - practices that date back centuries in many cultures around the world.

Acupuncture

Part of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture has been practiced for over 2000 years. It most often involves needles inserted at various locations (called “acupoints”) on the body. Each acupoint is believed to help with different health concerns or bodily systems. Nowadays, most evidence points to acupuncture being helpful for pain relief, especially joint pain. In 2000, a small survey of nurse midwives in North Carolina found that nearly one in five used, or recommended, acupuncture for pain relief or labor induction.

A systemic review synthesizing over 100 studies found that many soon-to-be parents turn to acupuncture for their health concerns, out of worry for medication use during pregnancy. Fortunately, the study found low risks of adverse events associated with acupuncture in pregnancy. The most common adverse event was actually needle pain.

Acupuncture is generally safe when used at appropriate acupoints and with sterile needles (as is the case with any practice involving needles!). One thing to be cautious of is acupoint SP6. This acupoint sits slightly above the inner ankle, and might increase risk of early contractions and miscarriage.

For parents-to-be planning to do IVF, acupuncture is considered to be generally safe. One small randomized controlled trial found a lower rate of pregnancy when acupuncture is done right before and after IVF embryo transfer, compared to when acupuncture is not done. If this applies to you, it’d be best to use caution and discuss with your healthcare provider.

If you are interested in acupuncture, make sure to seek out a reputable professional. In the U.S., acupuncturists are validated in most states by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine.

Belly binding

While most of the complementary medicine practices we’ve talked about applies more during pregnancy, belly binding is intended for parents after giving birth. The practice is traditionally done in many cultures, with the most well-known being the Malaysian bengkung belly binding. Done correctly, traditional belly binding is believed to help with postpartum healing, support the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, especially for diastasis recti recovery (when the muscles don’t close after birth). As it provides support for our torso, belly binding can also help parents maintain good posture. Aside from physical benefits, belly binding is also believed to help postpartum parents heal spiritually, as Ayurvedic medicine believes belly binding to help warm and nourish the air created in the womb after birth.

The specifics of belly binding varies between cultures. For bengkung belly binding, a specific technique is used to bound muslin cloth around the torso. The binding is recommended to begin 5 days after vaginal delivery, or 6 weeks after cesarian section, and to be continued for 10-12 hours/day, for 40 days or more. After 6 weeks, it is recommended to discontinue continuous belly binding to allow the muscles to regain strength.

Belly binding is not without risks. When bound too tightly, belly binding can impair breathing, or cause acid reflux. Nowadays, many waist trainers are also advertised for postpartum support. These are typically much more restrictive and tend to be made of latex. The material might increase water loss, which is the opposite of what you want to happen (generally, but especially during this period)!

The summary

Both passed down through generations, acupuncture and belly binding may offer many benefits. As with any procedure, though, it is helpful to seek out qualified and reliable professionals, whether you’re interested in trying either out for yourself, or just to better understand them and their place in their culture of origin.

Psst!

I am making an in-depth presentation on this topic for our Fully Nourished Pregnancy community next Monday, June 19! Fully Nourished Pregnancy is a group coaching program aimed to support you during this time of change. If you’re also struggling with insulin resistance, you can add on The Insulin Resistance Mini Course when enrolling in our coaching program.

If you’re looking for more individualized support, McKenzie offers nutrition counseling for both individuals and couples as they navigate fertility and pregnancy. She accepts BCBS insurance and is licensed to practice in multiple states.