Pre-conception and child birth

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are ideal drug-free treatments for pre conception, pregnancy, childbirth, and post partum. Used by a skilled practitioner they are safe and have no harmful effects for mother or baby. They can be used safely and effectively alongside orthodox care.

Such an approach provides flexible and tailored healthcare, which allows each woman to be in control of her own experience and follow her own body's needs. All these treatments can help to make pregnancy, childbirth, and post partum a much happier and more comfortable experience.

What happens during a treatment?
What antenatal ailments can be treated with Acupuncture?
Is it true that Acupuncture can induce labour?
Are there other labour- inducing therapies that don't involve needles?
Can Acupuncture provide pain relief during labour?
What therapies can I use after the birth to restore balance?
What is the cost of treatment?
How can I make an appointment?
Where can I find books, websites and research?
What do Jo's clients say?

What happens during a treatment?
One of these therapies or a synthesis of techniques may be used in any one-hour treatment session with Jo. Chinese herbs can help you to recover from post partum bleeding.

What antenatal ailments can be treated with Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is extensively used in pregnancy management to treat back pain, nausea, vomiting, headaches, migraine, constipation and dental pain. Other antenatal ailments, which can be successfully treated with Acupuncture, include hyper emesis, sciatica, varicose veins, haemorrhoids, constipation, heartburn, carpal tunnel syndrome, oedema, abdominal pain, skin problems, anxiety and breech presentation. It is also highly effective in treating the side effects of becoming a non-smoker.

Acupuncture needles bear little resemblance to those used in blood tests. They are much finer and produce a very slight dull or tingling sensation. All needles are sterile and individually wrapped.

Is it true that Acupuncture can induce labour?
Women are often afraid of the threat of surgical induction and see it as the start of the 'slippery slope' to a caesarean section. At least 3 to 5 Acupuncture sessions of 1 - 1½ hours are necessary to obtain effective results, although sometimes, just one session can be enough. An Electro Acupuncture machine is attached to the Acupuncture needles via wires. This treatment maximises the stimulatory effects on the uterus.

Are there any other labour-inducing therapies I can have that don't involve needles?
For women who are afraid of needles, an Aromatherapy massage using thumb pressure on specific labour- inducing Acupuncture points.

Can Acupuncture provide pain relief during labour?
The ear auricle contains a complete set of Acupuncture points, which when stimulated can produce rapid relief from acute pain. Auricular Acupuncture is ideal for pain relief during labour as the woman can be as mobile as she likes. The needles are attached to an Electro Acupuncture machine, to provide extra stimulation. This machine is controlled by the patient, which empowers her to manage her own pain. Attending a birth can sometimes be impractical however, so only a few women can be supported at any one time. (You are welcome to speak to Jo regarding her schedule.)

For those who fear needles, ear seeds can be taped over the Acupressure ear points and stimulated by applying finger pressure. This treatment is ideal for those who wish to remain at home as long as possible during labour.

What therapies can I use after the birth to restore balance?
In traditional Chinese Medicine, childbirth is a very important stage in a woman's life, and it is thought that a woman's vital energy can be improved after having a baby. Acupuncture can be a great help in re-balancing your health after the birth.

Postnatal conditions successfully treated with Acupuncture include: haemorrhoids, perineal pain, stasis of urine/inability to micturate, backache, breast engorgement, mastitis, anaemia, post natal depression, back pain, shoulder pain, constipation, pain and flatulence following caesarean section, prolapse, insufficient lactation, tiredness.

Acupuncture is usually combined with Chinese herbal therapies, which are very effective at replenishing the bodies' energy after birth. Alternatively, Reflexology with essential oils, and/or Aromatherapy massage may be used to help re-balance a woman's health after the birth.

What is the cost of treatment?

**All treatments/consultations are one hour in length

- For Chinese herbal medicine estimate around £12-15 per week in addition to the treatment charges above.
- Out of clinic hours one - hour embryo transfer treatments are £75 each (subject to availability).

How can I make an appointment?
Phone Jo on 020 8374 4566 for an appointment at her clinic in Highgate, North London.

What do Jo's client say?

Getting ready to conceive
I have been seeing Jo regularly for about 3 years. Although I started going to her mainly to help me deal with work related stress, her inspired and individually tailored approach - using a combination of massage, aromatherapy and Reiki - gently initiated a much deeper process of healing and release.

I'm convinced that she was instrumental in helping me to unblock physical, mental and emotional issues so that I became ready to conceive. During my pregnancy, Jo provided an oasis of calm in what was otherwise a very stormy time! Mainly using Reflexology, she provided nourishment and attention to my deeper self as well as my changing body. Her treatments and prescriptions of Chinese Herbal Medicines helped me to replenish my energy after the birth (breech, at home, no complications whatsoe