alternative and complimentary therapies in midwifery

2.  Tradition Chinese Medicine.
 Originated in China 4000 yrs ago.
 It is the harmony and balance of qi
(pronounced chee) in the body
 Qi is defined as the essence and the
basis of all life, or the vital energy. It
warms the body, keeps the mind
active, creates breath, expels the
baby during birth, and gives us each
a distinct personality.

3.  The general category of qi can be
broken in to Yin and Yang, which
represents the dualistic poles of
nature

4.  ACUPRESSURE

5.  Energy travels on defined pathways
throughout the body, called
meridians, and on each meridian, a
series of points corresponds to body
function and various organs.
 Practitioners of TCM believe that by
massaging or compressing a given
point, the body energy to that
corresponding organ or system can
be restored or changed

7.  It is the insertion of fine needle (32
to 38 gauge) in to the skin at
acupuncture points, which are
located along and independent of
the meridian system.
 . There are 12 major meridians
(Channel of energy flow), each
connecting to an organ and running
distally throughout the body.

8.  The depth of puncture varies
depending on the location and
treatment effect desired.
 Once placed the needles are retains
for a varied length of time, most
commonly between 15 and 45
minutes.

9.  Homeopathy is a system of healing
founded by Samuel Hahnemann, a
German physician, in the late
1700s.

10.  Homeopathic practitioners believe
that each client is a unique
individual, and care is directed to
create and prescribe a remedy
specific to that person.
 Although many standard remedies
exist, practitioners often blend
individual remedies based on the
client’s specific needs

12.  It is described as the therapeutic
application of essential oils through
the skin using the mediums of
lotions, creams, or baths or the
methods of inhalation or massage.
 As the oils are absorbed in the body,
there are pharmacologic, physiologic
and psychological reactions.

14.  It is a form of deep relaxation with
an alert mind producing alpha
waves.
 In this state critical faculties are
suspended and the subconscious
mind can be more easily accessed.

16.  Benefits of spiritual healing and
prayer include availability of an
increased support system and
community, increased self esteem
and self love, and increased
connectedness to the divine.
 Increased spirituality has been
associated with decreased maternal
complications in labor and delivery
and fewer neonatal intensive care

18.  Yoga provides structured exercise
that can increase strength, flexibility
and endurance, improved mental
attitude, increased self esteem,
better sleep, healthier eating habits
and better communication pathways
between body, mind and spirit.

20.  Herbs are medicine. They can have
side effects and contraindications.
Clients should be asked about their
use of herbs in conjunction with
standard pharmaceuticals. .
 Herbs can counteract or intensive
pharmaceutical effects and they can
be dangerous if taken in higher than
recommended doses.

22.  Adequate nutrition benefits the
human system on all levels.
 These include but are not limited to
normal organ development and
functioning, appropriate metabolism,
immune system response, optimal
energy, reproductive function,
functional repair of injury or tissue
damage, appropriate emotional
responses, and behavior

23.  Women seem especially sensitive to
the lack of micronutrients and
macronutrients in their diets, and
deficiencies can manifest as
hormonal changes or irregular
menstrual periods, as well as
affecting other endocrine functions

25.  The science of chiropractic focuses on
the relationship of the nervous
system to the mechanical framework
of body.
 Chiropractors generally manipulate
only the protruding parts of the
spinal vertebrae, but the focus is on
attaining a holistic balance of the
body.

26.  The following are the aims of
chiropractic treatment during
pregnancy:
 Improve spinal alignment and
stability of the pelvis.
 Minimize Musculo skeletal and
related discomforts.
 Optimize neurologic function.

27.  Improve posture.
 Provide better space and
environment for the baby.
 Reduce stress.
 Enhance self image and feelings of
wellbeing.
 Enable the body to work at its
optimum during and after labor.
 Accelerate postpartum recovery.

29.  The benefits of therapeutic massage
are vast and include physical,
emotional and mental effects.
 physical, emotional and mental
effects. Gentle massage can be
especially beneficial for women with
a high risk pregnancy complicated
by multiple gestations, preterm
labor, or both.

30.  Physically massage can reduce
cortisol levels and blood pressure,
increase the flow of lymph through
the body, and increase immunity.
 It can also stretch and loosens the
muscle, improve blood flow, facilitate
the removal of metabolic waste, and
increase the flow of oxygen and
nutrients to the cells and tissues

31.  Most important, massage stimulates
the release of endorphins and
decreases pain.
 On a mental level it increases
relaxation, reduces mental stress and
enhances clarity and clear thinking.
Emotionally massage satisfies the
need for human touch and caring,
which increases sense wellbeing and
reduces anxiety level.

32.  Osteopathy focuses on restoring and
maintaining balance in the neuro
musculoskeletal systems of the body.
 Osteopaths use arms and legs as
fulcrums to bend and twist the
body; this is called long lever
manipulation.

33.  The osteopath aims to preserve the
balance between joints, muscles,
ligamentous structures and nerves,
which allows the body to function at
its most optimal capability.

35.  It is a gentle hands on method of
evaluating end enhancing the
functioning of a physiologic body
system called the cranio sacral
system which is comprised of the
membranes and cerebrospinal fluid
that surround and protect the brain
and spinal cord.

37.  Stimulation of the Acupuncture
point P6 (Neiguan) has been shown
in multiple trials to be effective in
reducing nausea and vomiting. The
effects of the acupuncture calms the
digestive system, decrease fatigue,
expel Phlegm and decrease nausea
and vomiting.

38.  Sepia.
 Pulsatilla.
 Homeopathic
Ipecac.

39.  Guiding the
mother imagining
herself eating,
enjoying and
retaining familiar
foods in a relaxed
environment
where she feels safe
and secure.

40.  Cutaneous
application of wild
Yam cream.
 Dandelion Root
Tea.
 Ginner, Roseberry,
Fennel Lemon
balm infusions can
be helpful.

41.  Protein rich diet.
 Avoiding greasy
and fatty foods.
 Carbonated and
noncarbonated
drinks squeezed
with lemon, grape
and orange juices
may be helpful.

43.  Stimulation of acupuncture point UB
67, located on the lateral edge of
the small toe, with laser,
acupuncture, electro acupuncture or
moxibustion. The technique
moxibustion involves gently heating
UB 67 for 15 minutes once a day
for 10 days total.

44.  The homeopathic
remedy Pulsatilla
may potentially be
successful in
encouraging babies
to turn.

45.  Hypnosis has been
used to facilitate
both spontaneous
and external
version.

46.  AROMATHERAPY:
 Citrus oils,
including
mandarin orange
and grape fruit,
used in conjunction
with the massage
technique can
relive constipation.

47.  Life style changes
such as adding a
brisk walk each
morning can be
great boost to the
digestion as well as
promoting regular
bowel movements.
Many yoga
exercises may also
be beneficial.

48.  Herbs such as
dandelion root,
yellow dock, flax or
psyllium seeds, and
catnip can be use
full.

49.  Eating an
abundance of fresh
vegetables and two
pieces of fresh fruit
a day can add bulk
to the stool.
 Water is also very
important; a half
to a whole gallon
of water should be
consumed daily.

50.  Gentle abdominal
massage following
the root of the
large intestine in a
clock wise
direction, can help
stimulate
peristaltic
movement

51.  yoga should be
started before
conception or at
the beginning of
the pregnancy to
strengthen the
body in
preparation for
increased weight of
the baby in the
third trimester.
 Yoga can promote
good posture,
which can help
prevent sciatic
nerve discomfort
as well as back
pain.

52.  Topically, arnica
can be used to
relieve low back
pain. A warm bath
with Epsom salt
and aromatherapy
oils such as
Lavender,
Rosemary,
Chamomile can be
used.

53.  . Food sources of calcium include
milk, hard cheese, yogurt, leafy
green vegetables, almonds, sea
vegetables, and salmon and black
strap molasses. It is best to avoid
coffee, chocolate, cola, cocoa and red
meats.

54.  Massage and body work can also
treat low back pain. Most pregnancy
body workers have special pillows
that can accommodate comfort
positions for the end of the
pregnancy.



55.  It is excellent at correcting sacro iliac
problems and Sciatica. Manipulations
are used based on an accurate
diagnosis and mostly involve long
leverage therapies.