Acupuncture During Pregnancy: What's Safe and What Helps

You worked so hard to get here. And now that you're pregnant, you want to do everything right. You're careful about what you eat, what products you use, what medications you take. So when someone suggests acupuncture, your first question is probably: is this safe?

 The short answer is yes. Acupuncture is safe throughout pregnancy when performed by a practitioner trained in prenatal care. It's been used for centuries to support pregnant women, and modern research continues to confirm both its safety and effectiveness.

 But safety is just the starting point. Acupuncture can actually help with many of the discomforts that come with pregnancy, from the nausea of the first trimester to the back pain of the third, from anxiety about labor to preparing your body for birth.

 ​​This guide explains what acupuncture can do during pregnancy, what to expect from treatment, and how to use it to support yourself through each trimester. We've supported hundreds of women through pregnancy over the past two decades, and we know what helps.

 Is Acupuncture Safe During Pregnancy?

Yes. Acupuncture is considered safe throughout pregnancy by major medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which lists it as a reasonable treatment option for pregnancy-related conditions.

 The key is working with a practitioner who has specific training in prenatal acupuncture. During pregnancy, certain acupuncture points are avoided or used only in specific circumstances. A trained practitioner knows which points are appropriate for each stage of pregnancy and which to avoid.

 The points we use during pregnancy are primarily on the arms, legs, head, and ears, far from the uterus. They don't affect uterine tone or pose any risk to your pregnancy. The needles are thin, sterile, and single-use.

 Multiple randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have confirmed acupuncture's safety during pregnancy. A Cochrane review examining acupuncture for pelvic and back pain during pregnancy found no adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes. Research on acupuncture for morning sickness, published in The Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, similarly found it safe and effective.

 Many women prefer acupuncture precisely because it offers relief without medication. During pregnancy, when you're being cautious about what you put in your body, having a drug-free option for symptom relief can be a significant comfort.

 What Can Acupuncture Help During Pregnancy?

 Acupuncture addresses a wide range of pregnancy symptoms. Here's what the research shows and what we see clinically.

 Morning Sickness and Nausea

 This is one of the most well-researched uses of acupuncture during pregnancy. Nausea affects 50-80% of pregnant women, and for some it's debilitating.

 Acupuncture, particularly at a point on the inner wrist, has been shown to reduce pregnancy nausea significantly. A randomized controlled trial published in The Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found that acupuncture was effective even for hyperemesis gravidarum, the most severe form of pregnancy nausea.

 We often see women who've tried everything, ginger, vitamin B6, dietary changes, and found only partial relief. Acupuncture frequently provides the additional support they need to function. Many women notice improvement within hours of their first session.

 For more on this topic, read our article on morning sickness and acupuncture.

 Back Pain and Pelvic Pain

 As your body changes to accommodate your growing baby, back and pelvic pain are common. Your center of gravity shifts, your ligaments loosen, and your spine and pelvis bear increasing load. By the third trimester, many women experience significant discomfort.

 A Cochrane review found that acupuncture was more effective than usual care for pregnancy-related back and pelvic pain. Research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that women receiving acupuncture had significantly greater pain reduction than those receiving standard treatment.

 Acupuncture reduces pain through several mechanisms: reducing inflammation, releasing endorphins, relaxing muscle tension, and improving blood flow to affected areas. For many women, it provides relief when other options are limited.

 Fatigue and Exhaustion

 The fatigue of pregnancy, particularly in the first and third trimesters, can be overwhelming. Your body is working hard, building a placenta, increasing blood volume, and supporting rapid fetal development. It's exhausting even when everything is going well.

 Acupuncture supports energy by improving sleep quality, regulating hormones, and helping your body function more efficiently. Many women tell us they feel more rested after treatment, even if they're not sleeping more hours.

 Anxiety and Stress

 Pregnancy brings emotional changes along with physical ones. Hormonal shifts, uncertainty about the future, and the weight of responsibility can all contribute to anxiety. If you've experienced pregnancy loss before, fear about this pregnancy may be constant.

 Acupuncture helps regulate the nervous system, shifting your body out of stress response and into a calmer state. Research has shown that acupuncture reduces cortisol levels and activates the parasympathetic nervous system. Many women describe their sessions as the only time they feel truly relaxed.

 We don't just address the physical symptoms of pregnancy. We support you emotionally through a time that can feel overwhelming. Sometimes what you need most is an hour of quiet, in a safe space, where someone is taking care of you.

 Headaches

 Pregnancy headaches are common, especially in the first trimester. Hormonal changes, increased blood volume, and changes in sleep can all contribute. For women who typically rely on ibuprofen or other medications, pregnancy leaves them with few options.

 Acupuncture is effective for headaches, both tension-type and migraines. A study in the British Medical Journal found acupuncture to be as effective as prophylactic medication for headache prevention. During pregnancy, when medication options are limited, this is particularly valuable.

 Insomnia

 Sleep problems are common during pregnancy, from the discomfort of finding a position in the third trimester to the anxiety that keeps your mind racing at night. Poor sleep affects your energy, your mood, and your overall health.

 Acupuncture helps with insomnia by calming the nervous system and addressing underlying patterns that disrupt sleep. Many women find they sleep more deeply after treatment, even if they still have to get up to use the bathroom.

 Breech Presentation

 If your baby is breech (head up instead of head down) as you approach your due date, acupuncture combined with moxibustion (a warming technique using the herb mugwort) can help encourage the baby to turn.

 Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that moxibustion at a specific acupuncture point increased the rate of babies turning to head-down position. The treatment is typically done between 32-36 weeks, when there's still room for the baby to move.

 This doesn't work for everyone, and some babies have good reasons for their position. But it's a safe option to try before considering an external cephalic version or planning a cesarean for breech presentation.

 Labor Preparation

 In the final weeks of pregnancy, acupuncture can help prepare your body for labor. We focus on points that promote cervical ripening, help the baby descend, and support your body's natural readiness for birth.

 Research published in the Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health found that women who received pre-birth acupuncture had shorter labors and reduced rates of medical induction compared to those who didn't.

 We typically begin pre-birth acupuncture around 36-37 weeks, with weekly sessions until delivery. The goal isn't to induce labor before your body is ready, but to support your body's natural preparation so that when labor begins, it progresses smoothly.

 Postpartum Recovery

 Though technically not during pregnancy, acupuncture is also valuable after birth. It supports recovery from delivery, helps with milk production if you're breastfeeding, addresses postpartum mood changes, and restores your energy during a demanding time.

 Many of our patients continue with acupuncture after delivery, especially in the first few months when they're healing and adjusting to life with a newborn.

 When Should I Start Acupuncture During Pregnancy?

 You can begin acupuncture at any point during pregnancy. The timing depends on your needs.

 First Trimester

 If you're experiencing morning sickness, fatigue, or anxiety, starting early makes sense. Acupuncture is safe from the earliest weeks of pregnancy. Many women who conceived with our support continue seamlessly into prenatal care.

 If you have a history of miscarriage, early pregnancy support can help. We focus on calming the nervous system, supporting blood flow to the uterus, and addressing any underlying patterns that might affect pregnancy maintenance.

 Second Trimester

 The second trimester is often when women feel best, but it's still a good time to start acupuncture if you haven't already. Building a relationship with your practitioner and establishing a baseline of care serves you well as you move into the more demanding third trimester.

 If you're experiencing specific symptoms like headaches, round ligament pain, or anxiety, treatment can address these.

 Third Trimester

 Many women begin acupuncture in the third trimester, often because that's when discomfort increases. Back pain, pelvic pain, insomnia, and swelling are all common and all respond to treatment.

 Starting by 36 weeks allows time for pre-birth preparation. If your baby is breech, treatment for turning should ideally begin around 32-34 weeks.

 How Often Should I Get Acupuncture During Pregnancy?

 Frequency depends on your symptoms and stage of pregnancy.

 For symptom management (morning sickness, back pain, insomnia), weekly sessions are typical. For severe symptoms, twice weekly may be helpful initially.

 For pre-birth preparation, weekly sessions from 36-37 weeks until delivery is standard.

 For general wellness and pregnancy support without specific symptoms, every two to three weeks may be sufficient.

 We tailor the frequency to your needs and adjust as your pregnancy progresses.

 What to Expect from Treatment

 Your first visit includes a thorough intake. We want to understand your pregnancy history, current symptoms, overall health, and how you're feeling emotionally. If you conceived with fertility treatment, we likely already know your history, which gives us a head start.

 Treatment itself is gentle and relaxing. You'll lie comfortably, usually on your side or propped with pillows as your belly grows. Thin needles are placed at specific points, primarily on your arms, legs, and head. Most women find the sessions deeply calming. Many fall asleep.

 Sessions last about an hour. You should feel relaxed afterward, and many women notice symptom improvement within the first few sessions.

 We may also recommend dietary adjustments or supplements depending on your situation. Certain nutrients are particularly important during pregnancy, and addressing deficiencies can improve how you feel.

 What This Looks Like in Practice 

A woman had been seeing us throughout her pregnancy. She was 39 and had conceived through IVF after three years of trying. We'd supported her through that process too, and when she got pregnant, she continued with weekly acupuncture for general support.

Around 20 weeks, her back pain started. By 28 weeks, it had gotten significantly worse. She could barely walk by the end of the day. She was waking multiple times at night, unable to get comfortable. She was exhausted and anxious, worried about how she'd manage the remaining weeks, let alone labor and a newborn. 

She'd been told back pain was normal in pregnancy, which it is, but that didn't mean she had to suffer through it.

 We started with weekly acupuncture focused on her lower back and pelvis. We also addressed her sleep and anxiety, which were feeding into the pain cycle. When you're exhausted and stressed, pain feels worse. When pain keeps you from sleeping, exhaustion and stress increase. It becomes a loop.

 After her first session, she slept better that night than she had in weeks. After three sessions, her back pain had decreased significantly. She could walk without wincing. She could get through a workday without counting the hours until she could lie down.

 We continued weekly through the rest of her pregnancy. Around 36 weeks, we shifted focus to pre-birth preparation. Her anxiety about labor had been significant, and we worked on helping her feel more confident and more present in her body.

 She went into labor at 39 weeks. Her labor was straightforward, progressing steadily without intervention. She delivered vaginally after 12 hours.

 She told us afterward that the acupuncture had changed her pregnancy. Not just the physical symptoms, but how she felt about being pregnant. Instead of dreading each day, she'd been able to enjoy the final weeks. She felt prepared for labor instead of terrified.

 She came back for postpartum support, and later, when she was ready to try for a second baby.

 Read stories from women we've worked with →

 Your Next Step

 If you're pregnant and experiencing discomfort, or if you simply want support through this time, acupuncture can help. It's safe, effective, and offers relief without medication.

 We've supported women through pregnancy for over two decades. Whether you're dealing with morning sickness in the first trimester, back pain in the third, or anxiety throughout, we can help you feel better and enjoy this time more fully.

 Learn more about our Fertility & Health path or contact us at 212.432.1110 or info@fafwellness.com.