- Always tell the practitioner if you are pregnant or could be pregnant.
- Do not use herbs, supplements or strong manual techniques casually during pregnancy.
- Heavy bleeding, severe headache, chest pain, breathlessness, fever or reduced fetal movement require medical assessment.
Pregnancy changes the safety conversation
A practitioner should know how many weeks pregnant you are, whether the pregnancy is high risk, what medicines or supplements you use, and whether you have high blood pressure, diabetes or bleeding. Acupuncture point selection, heat therapies, herbs and manual techniques may need modification or avoidance.
Symptoms that need obstetric assessment first
Persistent bleeding, fluid leakage, severe abdominal pain, new severe headache, visual changes, sudden swelling, fever, chest pain, breathlessness, fainting or reduced fetal movement should not be managed as routine “imbalance”. Contact your maternity team or emergency services as appropriate.
After birth
Postpartum recovery involves sleep disruption, feeding, bleeding, wound healing, mood and physical recovery. TCM conversations can focus on comfort and general wellbeing, but new heavy bleeding, fever, worsening wound pain, severe headache, chest pain, breathlessness or significant mood symptoms need medical review.
Herbs and breastfeeding
If breastfeeding, tell the practitioner. Substances taken by the mother can sometimes reach breast milk. Avoid assuming a traditional product is automatically suitable for breastfeeding. Coordinate with a doctor or pharmacist when medicines are involved.
Make the plan simple
Prioritise rest where possible, adequate food and fluids, follow-up appointments, support from family and early help when symptoms are worrying. Complementary care should fit around these basics, not replace them.
This guide is general education, not a diagnosis or personal treatment plan. Persistent, severe or rapidly worsening symptoms should be medically assessed.