Course Overview

This course examines the maternal physiology of pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum and the associated events and disorders in terms of both Western and Chinese physiology. Clinical insight is provided with 49 genuine cases addressing both proactive care and active are discussed.

It covers:

1. Maternal adaptation in pregnancy: cardiovascular, hormonal, metabolic etc.
2. The pulse in pregnancy
3. Contraindicated acupuncture points and herbs
4. Morning sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum, gestational diabetes, insomnia, fatigue, prolapse, carpal tunnel, eczema, dry stools, anxiety, threatened miscarriage, vaginal discharge, bowel obstruction
5. Physiology and stages of labour. Lie, position, presentation, cephalo-pelvic disproportion, malpresentation: Breech and posterior position
6. Preparation for labour, cervical ripeness, Bishop score, acupuncture assistance, pre-eclampsia
7. Use of acupuncture in the preparation for labour; Overdue or unestablished labour
8. Time-frames of labour. Support in childbirth to optimize labour outcomes. Facilitating labour with acupuncture. Agpar score.
9. Physical and physiological changes in the puerperium; Involution, genitourinary recovery, pelvic floor, bone density, breasts, hematology, cardiovascular, renal, metabolic and hormonal changes; Postnatal depression and psychosis
10. Recovery from miscarriage; Non-healing episiotomy wound; Postpartum haemorrhage; Anxiety, dizziness, fatigue; Poor milk supply, nipple thrush; Prolapse; Haemorrhoids, Postnatal depression

Course Objectives

• To understand Chinese and Western medicine views of maternal physiology and adaptation to pregnancy, the problems that can arise and the treatment options of Chinese medicine using genuine clinical cases with a focus on individualised treatment
• To understand the physiology of labour, the relevance of lie and position, risks and complications, treatment for malposition and overdue dates, and the principles of childbirth support to optimise outcomes for mother and child using genuine cases.
• To understand stages of the puerperium and their significance including involution, haemorrhage, recovery of organs and tissues, bone density, cardiovascular, renal, hormonal and metabolic changes, haematology and psycho-emotional issues.
• To understand Chinese medicine treatment options for mild postpartum problems as well as more serious problems such as persistent postpartum haemorrhage, failed healing of episiotomy wound, prolapses and postnatal depression using genuine cases.

Course Outline

0 hrs - 15 minThis course examines the maternal physiology of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum and the associated events and disorders. To provide clinical insight, 49 genuine clinical cases addressing both proactive care and active are discussed.

15 min - 1 hrsMaternal adaptation in pregnancy: cardiovascular, hormonal, metabolic and other changes. The pulse in pregnancy and contraindicated acupuncture points and herbs are discussed in depth. Relevant Chinese medicine female physiology is explained.

1 hrs - 2 hrsChinese medicine treatment of morning sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum, gestational diabetes, insomnia, fatigue, prolapse, carpal tunnel, eczema, dry stools, anxiety, threatened miscarriage, vaginal discharge, bowel obstruction (17 genuine cases).

2 hrs - 3.5 hrsPhysiology and stages of labour. Lie, position, presentation, cephalo-pelvic disproportion, malpresentation: Breech and posterior position (8 cases).

3.5 hrs - 4 hrsPreparation for labour, cervical ripeneness, Bishop score, acupuncture assistance, pre-eclampsia Use of acupuncture in the preparation for labour (2 cases); Overdue or unestablished labour (6 cases).

4 hrs - 4.5 hrsTime-frames of labour. Support in childbirth to optimise labour outcomes for mother and child. Agpar score. Facilitating labour with acupuncture (easing back pain and nausea, regulating contractions to ease pain and increase efficacy. (3 cases).

4.5 hrs - 5.5 hrsPhysical and physiological changes in the puerperium; Pro-active care. Involution, genitourinary recovery, pelvic floor, bone density, breasts, haematology, cardiovascular, renal, metabolic and hormonal changes; Postnatal depression and psychosis.

5.5 hrs - 7 hrsRecovery from termination and miscarriage; Non-healing episiotomy wound; Prolonged postpartum haemorrhage; Anxiety, dizziness, fatigue; Poor milk supply, nipple thrush; Prolapse; Haemorrhoids Postnatal depression.