Acupuncture to Treat Morning Sickness

Updated on September 17, 2008
M.L. asks from Los Angeles, CA
11 answers

Hi Moms,

Thanks for all the support and input from past posts. I am still trying to find some relief for my constant morning sickness. I'm looking into acupuncture and my ob/gyn recommended two people ...Tara Perry and Don Ha ...both in the Santa Monica area. Wondering if anyone had any experiences with acupuncture and whether or not it worked for them? Is it covered by insurance, pain factor, and how many treatments were necessary? Thanks for any input.

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M.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

I think acupuncture is great. I go weekly to get treated for various things...allergies, digestion problems, sometimes pain. I had reflux when I started (about 2 years ago) and after about 6 weeks, the heartburn was gone. Of course, once in a while if I eat fried food or such, I do get heartburn but it's not all the time. (Fried food is just bad for you anyway.) I believe it will definitely help your morning sickness. I don't know those two dr's, mine is in Encino. As for insurance, you need to check with your's, some companies cover it, some don't. Mine covers 80%, 52 visits per year. There is very, very little pain too. Once in a great while, if i'm being treated for pain, the needle stings a little bit, but only for about 30 seconds and then it's gone. If you can take the pain of childbirth, you can do this. The number of treatments depends on your body, but at least a few to be sure. Each treatment can take from 30 minutes to an hour which gives me a chance to have my "power rest."
Good luck.
M.

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A.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Acupuncture does nothing but releive pain. What does your Dr advise.

Mother of 4 adults, A.

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J.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

I saw that someone mentioned Mark Fishman...he is wonderful. I have gone to him for over a year for various treatments and have had very good luck. He has worked with me on his fees, so give him a call. He works on Saturday afternoons, which is great for me, since I work Monday through Friday.
Good luck.

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C.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

I used Laurie Binder in Santa Monica for my morning sickness-she is amazing and also a nurse. In both her roles she specialized in issues around pregnancy.

Really she is amazing.

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H.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi M.,
Susan Minich in Burbank is wonderful. She is on Victory in the Burbank Healing Arts Center and her number is ###-###-####. Good luck to you:)

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L.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

hi! i had acupuncture to treat morning sickness. i was lucky because my mid-wife at kaiser had just become certified in it so she did it for me at the hospital and i was completely covered by insurance. i'm not sure if that situation was unique or not though.

the treatment works pretty well, it does not hurt at all and is very relaxing. she would put the needles in and have me lie in a darkened room for 30 minutes. afterwards i would feel a little gurgling in my stomach and be hungry. she said that was good because it was moving the chi to that area. the nausea was lessened for a couple days, but it does come back after that short amount of time so i did it once a week.

for best results, i would say have it done every 5 days if possible.

you should definitely try it and see how you feel!

my midwife has her own private practice (in burbank i believe?) and i can give you her info if you'd like. her name is susan minich and she's really wonderful.

good luck!

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P.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi M.,
First of all, congratulations!
I used an acupuncturist to help me get pregnant, and then continued to use her for the first 3 months of my pregnancy. (once a week) It was great. She helped tremendously with my morning sickness, and I really believe that it made my overall pregnancy much easier. My insurance didn't pay for treatments, but most acupuncturists will work with you on price, if they know you don't have insurance.
Please feel free to email me if you want recommendations on acupuncturists.

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L.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi M.,
Congrats on the pregnancy. I love acupuncture! It saved me from asthma and many times when my back went out. I would definitely recommend it.

I use Dr. Xiuling Ma on Robertson near Olympic. ###-###-#### - www.acuherbsonline.com. If you look at her website you will see her experience with pregnancy. She is wonderful. I did not know her when I was pregnant but would have gone to her if I had.

Acupunture does not generally hurt. You barely feel the needles going in. Once in a while you may have a slight pain - this is usually when the needle hits a good spot that needs to be fixed. It is very relaxing and you can sometimes feel the energy flowing through the needles. I usually fall asleep and it feels like I've slept all night. You usually have the needles in for around 1/2 an hour but it really depends on your situation and what the doctor thinks you need. You may need a few sessions to start then you can do maintainence once in awhile - again it depends on what the doctor thinks you need.

I hope this helps. Definitely check it out. It even helps with hormones changes (it stopped my PMS completely).

Good luck!

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H.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have had quite a few acupuncture treatments for various things and have always found it to provide relief and help with whatever I have been suffering with. I don't know the practitioners you have listed, but I do know a couple of other practitioners. It helps to look around and find the right practitioner for you because no matter what the treatment, if you don't get on well with the person giving it, you will not feel relaxed and will not have the same benefits as if you were.

Other possible ideas for dealing with morning sickness are small amounts of high protein foods often throughout the day (a handful of almonds kept near by for those just before you would normally start feeling ill moments). Often an empty stomach is what begins the process of feeling nauseous. A friend of mine kept peppermint oil next to her bed and would take a sniff first thing in the morning. Ginger tea can be helpful once the nausea has begun to alleviate the symptoms. Ginger chews can be helpful as well.

Also, I would recommend that you ask the acupuncturist to give you a quick lesson on acupressure for yourself so that you can press on the appropriate point if you begin to feel ill.

With many blessings,
H. S.
www.birthingspirit.com/journeys

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S.R.

answers from Austin on

Love love love acupuncture and my acupuncturists! Try Ganit Kriel or Bryan Abel. ###-###-####. business is called Thumos health center. They have 3 offices in which they can see you. Pacific palisades, santa monica, and beverly hills. They work with infertility doctors. My OB recommended them. I like the palisades office best because its their primary office. The other 2 locations are actually located in OB/GYN 's offices. Good luck!

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D.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

I am an insurance agent, you need to find out if these people are on the list for such treatment, or you will just be reimburse RRC and submit your own claim if not.
Called super bill and you will then pay the dif.
Now there are many to pick from and the cost do vary.
I have a client who will work with you with the fee.
In westwood, Mark Fishman ###-###-####
Also: just an extra, I offer my clients a referral list of such alternative treatments with discounts. The list does not end. If you are interested call me or email
###-###-#### ____@____.com

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