Pregnancy and Postpartum

In the critical first trimester, weekly treatments are essential to ensure the well-being of both Mom and Baby. By closely monitoring your condition, Dr. Rozen can identify potential weaknesses in the pregnancy and provide appropriate treatments, addressing issues like nausea, fatigue, constipation, bleeding during pregnancy, and threatened miscarriage. Thanks to her personalized care, miscarriage is incredibly rare among her patients.

During the "golden period" of the second trimester, the nausea subsides, your energy levels improve and while a bit heavier, you remember what it was like to feel like you again. During this phase, Dr. Rozenn is there to support you. Some patients experience back problems, continuing nausea or fatigue. According to your condition, she may recommend Structural Treatments to help your body handle the baby's weight and alleviate discomfort in your low back, shoulders, and neck. She may prescribe specific treatments for lingering  nausea, fatigue, constipation and mood issues. She is here to help you.

Typically, at about the 28th week of pregnancy, women undergo a glucose tolerance test to monitor blood sugar levels. Dr. Rozenn offers specific acupuncture treatments to promote blood sugar stability, in addition to dietary and lifestyle guidance. Treating blood sugar instability, or at its most extreme presentation, gestational diabetes, is an important component of your care. 

At week 32 she will request that your baby’s position be checked. It is very important that we ascertain the Baby’s position, because if Baby is breech, this is the time period in which to change Baby’s position! Utilizing treatments that have been published by the Journal of the American Medical Association, in addition to hip/pelvis alignment through Structural Acupuncture treatment, Dr. Rozenn can assist Baby in finding the right head down position. She may also work with other pregnancy specialists to facilitate Baby’s turn depending on Baby’s specific needs.

Pelvic Pain and Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction: Dr. Rozenn has experience treating pelvic and pubic symphysis pain both prior to and post birth. The pelvic bones may not automatically return to their pre-pregnancy position, leading to varying degrees of discomfort and outright pain and immobility.

Starting at week 36, Dr. Rozenn typically begins the “Pre-Birth” acupuncture series for most of her patients. This Pre-Birth series stems from an extensive study in Germany in which midwives employed acupuncture treatments during the last four weeks of pregnancy. The results of the study yeilded incredible results including: shortened labor, reduced Western interventions and improved Mother’s experience.

As the due date approaches, Dr. Rozenn will closely monitor you. She will have an open dialogue with you about facilitating the onset of labor via acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture is not a modality capable of "induction". Induction is a Western technique. However, she can promote the onset of labor if Mom and Baby are ready. Most importantly, she aims to give her patients in this vulnerable situation the tools they need and the courage they require to give birth as close to their birth plan as possible.

Through your fertility and pregnancy journey, Dr. Rozenn will build a relationship of trust and support with every patient, extending from before pregnancy through the postpartum period and beyond. With her expertise and compassionate care, you can experience a smoother, more fulfilling pregnancy journey.

Deemed the 4th trimester, welcoming a new life into the world is a beautiful journey, but it comes with its own set of challenges for both Mom and Baby. Dr. Rozenn understands the postpartum issues you may face and is here to provide compassionate care and support during this delicate phase. Some common postpartum challenges include:

• Back Pain: Postpartum back pain can manifest as neck, upper back, mid-back, or lower back pain, and may involve sciatic nerve pain, tailbone, sacroiliac joint, pubic bone, and lower vertebral pain. No matter the expression, Dr. Rozenn can help you resolve your discomfort. You do not have to live with this pain.
• Insufficient Lactation/Mastitis: Breast milk is closely connected to the resilience of the mother following labor. Classical Chinese medicine theory provides many tools to boost Mom’s resources, improve her recovery and increase her vitality after birth, resulting in the most abundant milk supply possible. Also, blocked milk ducts may cause discomfort or even infection! If quickly addressed, the beginning of mastitis can averted through acupuncture and the application of poultices.
• General Fatigue and Malaise: Recovering from birth, sleep deprivation, and the demands of caring for a newborn can lead to fatigue and exhaustion. For over two decades, Dr. Rozenn has helped women though this difficult postpartum phase. While fatigue is common, there are things you can do to shift the trajectory and recover your energy.
• Depression/Anxiety and Feelings of Overwhelm: Postpartum emotions can range from mild anxiety and overwhelm to deep depression and anxiety. While serious postpartum depression should be addressed by a mental health specialist, acupuncture and East Asian medicine can provide the support needed to get you back on your road to health after delivery.

 

While many Western practitioners regard Cesarian Sections as a routine procedure, this surgery may not feel so comfortable to Mom. This is a serious abdominal surgery! Additionally, C-section scars that do not heal well can result in unexpected and unforeseen health consequences such as back pain and even migraines. The good news is that Dr. Rozenn is experienced in helping Moms recover from this surgery and it’s potential sequele. 

No matter what your postpartum recovery may look like, Dr. Rozenn will prioritize your path to full recovery. She may prescribe herbal formulas to assist in enhanced lactation, mood stabilization, and pain relief. Acupuncture and moxibustion is critical in providing this support.  Additionally, Dr. Rozenn can teach family, friends, and support persons the ancient techniques of “Mother Roasting” (or Mother Warming by moxabustion) to further support Mom during this precious time.

 

Postpartum care is crucial for your well-being and that of Baby. Dr. Rozenn is dedicated in helping you navigate the postpartum period with grace and support, ensuring that you experience a healthy and fulfilling post-birth journey.