Acupuncture for
Postpartum Recovery
Mamas need care too. That sentence is so important, I’m going to repeat it: mamas NEED care too. We often spend a lot of time preparing for our ideal birth, but don’t give as much thought to what happens after that.
The truth is that the postpartum weeks and months are a tender, vulnerable time. Both your body and mind have already run a marathon, and now they have to run a second one (while not getting very much sleep!)
In our productivity and hustle focused culture, the emphasis is on getting back to normal as fast as possible. Get back to work! Get back to exercising! Get back into your favorite jeans! But this shortcuts the very necessary biological need to rest and restore during the postpartum phase. When you don’t get time to rest and be nurtured after having a baby, you might find yourself struggling to recover physically, emotionally, or both.
Unfortunately, the reality is that sometimes you have to get back to “normal” quickly, due to a lack of paid leave or family or community support. And sometimes even with time off or support, things still feel harder than you can manage. This isn’t because you’re doing anything wrong. It simply means you need some help restoring your body’s healing responses and resources so you can truly enjoy your new baby!
Parenting a newborn is not necessarily easy by any stretch of the imagination, but it doesn’t have to be grueling. If you need care and nurturing during your postpartum phase, I’m here to help.
Songbird’s safe, effective blend of acupuncture and other holistic therapies works for many common postpartum issues, including:
Extreme fatigue
Insomnia, even if you’re exhausted
Difficulty with physical recovery from vaginal or surgical birth (prolonged bleeding, pain, etc.)
Postpartum mood issues, such as depression or anxiety
Difficulty breastfeeding
Mastitis
Postpartum Acupuncture FAQ
Q: How do you help me recover? I use gentle acupuncture to support nervous system recovery and increase your healing response (especially if there’s postpartum pain or injury). In some cases, I may recommend an herbal or supplement prescription to help you feel better faster. If you’re breastfeeding, I choose options that are safe for both mother and baby. Finally, I’ll offer very simple, manageable nutrition and lifestyle support so you have tools to use long-term.
Q: How long does “postpartum” go on? Am I too late if my baby is older? Postpartum is often defined as the “fourth trimester,” or the three months after birth. But our bodies don’t do math! Newer research suggests that postpartum mood issues can occur at any time in the first two YEARS after birth. If you have a baby or toddler, and you’re not feeling like yourself, I’m happy to help.
Q: If I don’t have child care, can I bring my baby with me? Newborns or babies who are not yet mobile are welcome in the office as long as your appointment is scheduled at a time that I’m able to accommodate that need. If you need to bring your baby, please contact me directly to schedule.
Q: How often do I need to come in? Your first treatment can be scheduled as early as 6 weeks postpartum. At your initial visit, we’ll discuss your symptoms and goals and decide on a treatment plan. I often recommend people come weekly for 4-8 weeks as an initial stage of treatment, but I may suggest a shorter or longer duration depending on what your needs and resources are.