Alternative Health Blog

Acupuncture has become a regular component for couples undergoing fertility treatments using in-vitro fertilization. There is no downside to trying the ancient Chinese therapy, and a new study affirms that idea and then some.

Recent research following 370 women undergoing in-vitro fertilization or IVF showed that acupuncture was unexpectedly linked to a higher rate of pregnancy in the control group (the placebo involves using needles but not in the correct energy or “chi” meridian locations and not actually entering the skin) than the women undergoing acupuncture. Both groups increased pregnancy rate: The control group improved success by 55 percent while the acupuncture group attained 43 percent success.

On the plus side, acupuncture has been documented in studies to reduce both nausea and back strain in pregnant women. But the new study once again points to an emotional element to becoming pregnant that suggests thinking positively has important effect.

More news for expectant couples: A new study from Brazilian researchers shows that women who take water aerobics class during their pregnancy (hey, future dads, feel free to take the class with your wives for support and keeping connected during anxious times) experience less pain during delivery than women who pass on aquatics.

Only about a quarter of expectant moms taking water aerobics asked for pain medications during delivery compared to two-thirds of women who did not take similar classes. The results, published in the journal Reproductive Health, makes it clear that exercise in the pool is a positive thing for women with uncomplicated pregnancies. 

"We've shown that the regular practice of moderate water aerobics during pregnancy is not detrimental to the health of the mother or the child," co-author Rosa Pereira, lead researcher at the University of Campinas in Sao Paolo.

Pereira and colleagues suggested that regular water exercise for expectant mothers can ease swelling and help prevent becoming overheated. Water aerobics appears to be a safe strategy for expectant mothers, they added, since

Physical activity that is rigorous either in its intensity, duration or frequency is associated with low neonatal birthweight."

Bob Condor blogs for Alternative Health Journal every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.