Complementary therapies work with conventional medicine. However, alternative therapies rely on certain domains like homoeopathy or ayurveda for specific concerns, which can delay results or worsen the effect. Complementary therapies like yoga reduce stress, and acupuncture, along with medications, reduce pain. Some might misunderstand complementary therapies as natural. Natural medicines like herbal remedies can pose negative pregnancy outcomes if used without a doctor's help.
What is Complementary Therapy
Complementary therapies are non-pharmacologic practices integrated to support pregnancy. It includes yoga, meditation, massage, chiropractic, and energy practices. Complementary techniques together with conventional medicines can support symptoms like nausea, back pain, and anxiety. Conventional treatment includes pharmaceuticals, ultrasound, and blood tests.Complementary Therapies For Pregnant Women
Prenatal YogaPrenatal yoga has been a practice for hundreds of years in India. With gentle movements and poses, yoga helps build strength, ease discomfort, and promote resilience throughout the pregnancy. Following yoga practices consistently reduces stress hormones, shortens labour duration and reduces c-section risk. Every doctor out there suggests you integrate yoga practices into your daily life.
Prenatal yoga emphasises slow, supported moves and poses, pranayama, and meditation to increase blood circulation, flexibility, and pelvic strength. Research confirms yoga reduces preterm birth risk, eases nausea through vagal stimulation, and enhances maternal-foetal bonding. A 2024 study found that practising yoga movements increases the chances of vaginal birth and less labour pain. Here are a few recommended yoga poses and benefits:
- Child’s pose promotes abdominal relaxation and reduces fatigue
- Seated cat-cow pose improves digestion and spinal flow
- Leg-up-the-wall reduces swelling, water retention, and calms nerves
- Warrior pose strengthens the legs and pelvic floor for labour
- Goddess squat opens up hips and builds endurance
- Side angle pose eases back pain
- Supported squat mimics the birth position and activates the pelvic floor
- Butterfly pose opens the hips and stretches the perineum
Prenatal Massage
Prenatal massage uses massaging techniques to soothe the physical pain. Massaging reduces cortisol levels, eases back pain and may shorten labour duration. Prenatal massage includes light stroking (effleurage), kneading (petrissage), and gentle rocking while side lying with pillows under the belly for support and to prevent vena cava compression. This massage focuses on pressure points to promote circulation, lymphatic drainage, and muscle relief. Prenatal massage avoids deep pressure, direct abdominal massage, and reflexology points. Studies show prenatal massage reduces depression and anxiety risk, back pain, and excessive fetal activity. With prenatal massage, pain perception is reduced, enhancing positive labour outcomes. Here are some massage techniques used in prenatal massage:
- Neck and shoulder effleurage releases tension from posture changes
- Foot and leg drainage reduces swelling and boosts circulation
- Low back petrissage reduces sacroiliac strain
- Hip and glute massage prepares the pelvis for labour
- Sacral pressure promotes oxytocin and reduces labour duration
- Perineal glide may reduce tears
Prenatal acupuncture includes inserting sterile needles at meridian points to stimulate the body’s innate homeostatic responses to ease nausea, back pain, and insomnia. Acupuncture, a practice followed for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine, promotes qi flow, endorphin release, and autonomic balance. Acupuncture activates brain regions involved in pain control and vagal tone, leading to a cortisol drop and oxytocin release.
Mind-Body Therapy
In mind-body therapy, you train thoughts, breath, and sensation to regulate the HPA axis and reduce cortisol spikes. It includes mindfulness-based stress reduction, yoga nidra, autogenic training, and biofeedback. Mind-body therapies ease stress, anxiety and depression. It also shortens labour duration and reduces labour pain. Mind Body Therapy includes:
- Body scan to address tension and release distress
- 4-7-8 breathing technique for vagal activation
- Loving-kindness meditation for self-compassion
- Progressive relaxation to release tensed muscles
- Hypnobirthing for reducing pain perception, anxiety, and labour duration
It's a non-invasive method to reduce musculoskeletal issues caused by pregnancy shifts. It uses gentle spinal adjustment and mobilisation to restore alignment, reduce pain, and regulate pelvic function. Prenatal chiropractic techniques reduce labour durations and cesarean risks. It also reduces intrauterine constraint and eases labour. Chiropractic techniques include:
- Webster Technique: Focuses on balancing the pelvis and relaxing the pelvic muscles, which helps reduce Intrauterine constraint
- Gentle Adjustment: Using hands or an Activator, adjusting the spine and pelvis to restore movement
- Soft Tissue Therapy: It addresses tight muscles in the back and pelvis areas to alleviate discomfort
Reflexology applies pressure to specific points to promote relaxation, improve circulation, and relieve symptoms. The feet, hands, and ears have reflex points that correspond to organs and systems in the body. Applying gentle pressure to the reflex point helps reduce labour pain and duration and increases birth satisfaction.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is commonly used to promote relaxation and sleep. Essential oils added to inhalers or diffusers, regular neurotransmitters, reduce controls and enhance relaxation. Below are some essential oils that support pregnancy symptoms:
- Lavender and bergamot promote relaxation, calmness, and sleep
- Peppermint and ginger ease nausea
- Frankincense helps in grounding
- Lemon and eucalyptus reduce fatigue
Before starting any therapy, consult a doctor and ask for recommendations. You should consult an experienced, trustworthy practitioner to minimise risk. These natural, non-invasive methods are most effective when used alongside medications. Relying on these methods alone may not work.
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FAQs on Complementary Therapies During Pregnancy: Holistic Support to Ease Pregnancy Discomfort
- What positions to avoid in the first trimester?
You should be very careful during the first trimester, as any small mistakes can disrupt fetal growth and lead to miscarriage. During the first trimester, avoid doing yoga that strains your back. Poses include cobra, locust, closed tests, deep backbends, boat pose, and crunches should be avoided in the first trimester. You should also avoid headstands, prolonged standing or sitting, slouching, and sleeping on your stomach. - Can I do planks while pregnant?
You cannot do traditional planks during pregnancy, as they can strain your abdomen and risk diastasis recti. Knee planks, side planks, and incline planks are safe during pregnancy. If you feel discomfort while doing the plank, stop it and do other exercises. Growing a belly can make planking difficult. - What areas cannot be massaged during pregnancy?
If you are doing a prenatal massage, you should avoid messing up the abdomen, inner thighs, chest, and pressure points on the inner ankle and between the thumb and index finger. These areas canriskyrous when pressure is applied. Massaging the pressure points can induce labour.
