Acupressure Atlas: The Map to Pregnancy Relief
This November, local Encinitas practitioners Dr. Maggie Dooner and Frances are joining forces to share their passions and support expectant mamas. Dr. Dooner, founder of Treehouse Acupuncture and a specialist in women’s health, collaborates with Frances, a devoted doula and the heart behind Frankie’s Collective. Together, they are illuminating the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine through their insightful Acupressure Atlas: The Map to Pregnancy Relief, offering valuable guidance for navigating pregnancy with confidence and grace.
In this blog, you'll discover the top five ways acupuncture can support mothers, insights on placenta development, techniques for encouraging a breech baby to flip, key meridians essential for pregnancy, and how ear seeds can enhance your labor experience. Dr. Dooner and Frances are committed to creating a nurturing space where women can connect deeply with their intuition and birth intentions, ensuring that every mama feels supported throughout her journey. Read on to explore how their combined expertise can help you discover the gentle power of acupressure with holistic support
Take a glance on Instagram to see how you can incorporate these practices for a better pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery with the specific acupressure points that you can easily incorporate at home, empowering you to navigate your pregnancy with confidence, grace and relief.
During Pregnancy
FT: What are the top 5 benefits of acupuncture during pregnancy?
MD: So, when it comes to acupuncture during pregnancy, one of the most common ways I support expectant moms is by helping them get ready for labor. Toward the end of pregnancy, we use specific points to gently promote healthy blood flow, relax the muscles, and even soften the cervix. We can help to support a smoother and more comfortable birth experience by encouraging labor to begin naturally when the body is ready.
Now, earlier in pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, acupuncture can be a game-changer for nausea and morning sickness. It really helps settle the digestive system, helping to ease any queasy feelings and making the experience a bit more manageable.
And stress relief! That’s another big one. Pregnancy is a major life transition, and acupuncture is amazing at supporting the nervous system. It helps shift the body out of "fight-or-flight" mode and into a grounded, calm state, which is incredibly beneficial for both mom and baby.
Then there’s sleep. Many pregnant women struggle with sleep, and acupuncture can be a huge help by relaxing the body and calming any mental restlessness. By addressing the root causes of these imbalances, we can often improve sleep quality.
And finally, I’d say, back pain and pelvic discomfort. As the baby grows, it’s common to feel strain from the added weight and shifts in posture. Acupuncture is wonderful here, too, as it works with the nervous system to release tension and relieve pain in these areas. So, all in all, it’s a pretty comprehensive support tool during pregnancy!
FT: Placenta Development is an extremely important part of early pregnancy although a healthy, developed, and well-positioned placenta will help nourish the fetus throughout the pregnancy. How can Chinese Medicine help?
MD: Absolutely! In Chinese medicine, the placenta is seen as a vital source of qi, blood, and nutrients for both the mother and baby. Acupuncture supports blood flow and qi movement to the uterus, creating an ideal environment for the placenta to thrive. Also, by enhancing the mother's overall health and strengthening her qi and blood overall, we are able to nourish the placenta, directly benefiting the baby.
FT: Another way Chinese medicine is used to benefit pregnancy is by helping to motivate a breech baby to flip its head down. What is moxibustion and how is it used to support this process?
MD: Yes! Moxibustion is such an amazing practice in Chinese medicine, and it's been used for centuries to help encourage a breech baby to flip. It involves gently warming specific acupuncture points using mugwort, which we call "moxa," to stimulate energy flow. In this case, we often apply moxibustion to a point called Bladder 67, which is located right at the outer corner of the pinky toe.
The soothing warmth and energy directed to this point help enhance the mother’s “qi” and “yang energy” within the uterus. This boost creates more space and encourages a natural repositioning, giving the baby an opportunity to turn head-down on their own. It's a gentle yet powerful way to support both mom and baby in a safe, natural way.
FT: What are the common themes / meridians that you treat during pregnancy?
MD: During pregnancy, I typically focus on the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney meridians to support both the physical and emotional health of moms-to-be. The Spleen meridian is all about nourishing blood and fluids, which are vital to keep both mom and baby healthy and thriving. Then there’s the Liver meridian, which helps with the smooth flow of qi—this can ease emotional stress, reduce irritability, and release any muscle tension that may come up along the way.
The Kidney meridian is especially important because it’s closely connected to reproductive health. It supports fertility, the baby’s development, and boosts the mother’s overall vitality. So by focusing on these three meridians, we’re really helping the body feel balanced, nurtured, and prepared for all the changes that pregnancy brings.
FT: How can ear seeds be beneficial to get prior to due date / to have during labor?
MD: Ear seeds are fantastic! They’re these tiny beads that we place on specific points in the ear to gently stimulate acupuncture points, and they’re incredibly useful for managing pain and reducing stress, especially during labor. For instance, we can use points like Shenmen, which helps calm the mind, the Uterus point to encourage contractions, and the Endocrine point to balance hormones. Altogether, these points can ease discomfort, reduce anxiety, and even support a smoother labor process. They’re also completely non-invasive and really simple to use, making them an amazing natural tool to have during the birthing experience.
FT: How often should someone come to see you?
MD: How often you come in really depends on where you are in your pregnancy and what your body needs. Early on, I might see you every week or two to help with things like morning sickness, stress, or any other symptoms you're dealing with. As you move into the second trimester, we might space it out a bit—maybe every 2-4 weeks, unless something specific comes up. Then, as you get closer to your due date, especially around 36 weeks, I usually recommend coming in once or twice a week to help get everything ready for labor and make sure things are progressing smoothly.
FT: Delayed Labor… Any Insight?
MD: From a Chinese medicine perspective, delayed labor can sometimes happen when there’s a bit of imbalance with qi and blood, or when emotions like stress or fear are blocking the flow of qi. Acupressure and acupuncture can really help by working on points like Spleen 6 (Sanyinjiao) and Large Intestine 4 (Hegu), which can encourage labor by moving qi and blood, softening the cervix, and helping the body relax. We can also focus on emotional support with points like Heart 7 (Shenmen) to release tension and let labor progress naturally. Sometimes, adding moxibustion or ear seeds gives a little extra boost, too.
Postpartum
FT: What are the top 3 ways to nourish and replenish your blood: nutritionally, supplements etc:
MD: Nourishing and replenishing your blood is so important, especially postpartum. First, I’d say focus on iron-rich foods like grass-fed beef, dark leafy greens, and beets—they’re great for building blood. Second, cooking with herbs like dang gui (Chinese Angelica) and goji berries can really help with blood nourishment. If you find you’re not getting enough iron through your diet alone, beef liver supplements are a fantastic option. They’re rich in bioavailable iron, B vitamins, and other nutrients that are amazing for building blood and boosting energy. Staying hydrated and eating warm, cooked foods like soups and stews also keeps your digestive system strong, which is key for making blood.
FT: Do you have any tips to support milk production postpartum?
MD: Supporting milk production is all about nourishing your body and reducing stress. Eating warm, nutrient-rich foods and staying hydrated is key—think about enjoying things like bone broth, oatmeal, and herbal teas like fenugreek or fennel. Be sure to rest as much as you can and enjoy plenty of skin-to-skin contact with your baby, as this absolutely helps with milk flow. If you need a little extra boost, herbs like moringa can do wonders. Acupuncture is also great for stimulating milk production. We love using points like GB21 (on the shoulder), ST18 (on the chest), and SI1 (on the pinky) to help get things flowing and ease tension. And if you can’t make it in for an appointment, you can easily stimulate these points at home with some gentle pressure!
FT: Mental Health benefits of acupuncture postpartum?
MD: Acupuncture can be such a valuable support for mental health in the postpartum period. Many new moms go through a whole range of emotions, and acupuncture is amazing for easing anxiety and lifting low moods that sometimes come with this big life transition. By helping balance hormones and supporting neurotransmitters, it can really improve your mood and give you a greater sense of well-being.
It’s also fantastic for promoting relaxation, which reduces stress and makes daily challenges feel a bit easier to tackle. For new moms struggling with sleep, acupuncture can also enhance sleep quality, which can make all the difference in feeling more refreshed and energized. Plus, it boosts endorphins, giving you a more positive outlook and emotional resilience. So overall, acupuncture is a holistic, natural way to support mental health during this time, helping new moms take care of themselves as they settle into their new roles.
Written by Dr. Maggie Dooner and Frances Tharp