Pregnancy and Postpartum Recovery

Compassionate, Personalized Care in Hudson, NY, New York City & Virtually

At Abby Paloma Acupuncture, Abby believes every parent deserves to feel supported, nurtured, and empowered in preparation for and after childbirth. Abby offers a sanctuary where you can heal, reconnect with your body, and find support throughout your pregnancy and during your all-important “fourth trimester.”
Whether you’re managing nausea or fatigue in your first trimester, seeking symptom relief as your belly grows, or preparing for labor during your pregnancy, Abby combines acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle changes to support you. And whether you’re recovering from a vaginal birth or a C-section, navigating feeding challenges, or simply seeking rest and balance after delivery, Abby will help you regain strength, replenish your energy, and support your postpartum recovery.

Supporting Your Pregnancy Journey

Acupuncture Menstrual Health

First Trimester: Weeks 1-13

The first trimester is a time of profound transformation. Your body is creating new life while adjusting to rapidly changing hormone levels. Many people experience fatigue, nausea, food aversions, breast tenderness, and emotional shifts during this phase.

How Acupuncture Helps:

  • Reduces nausea and morning sickness without medication
  • Supports healthy implantation and early pregnancy development
  • Alleviates fatigue and supports energy levels
  • Eases anxiety and emotional overwhelm
  • Helps prevent threatened miscarriage when combined with rest

Self-Care Focus: Rest as much as possible, eat small frequent meals to manage nausea, stay hydrated with warm fluids and ginger tea, and avoid cold raw foods.

Second Trimester: Weeks 14-27

Often called the “honeymoon phase,” the second trimester typically brings renewed energy and reduced nausea. However, new concerns may arise: round ligament pain, heartburn, constipation, back pain, and anxiety about the growing baby.

How Acupuncture Helps:

  • Relieves back pain, sciatica, and pelvic discomfort
  • Supports digestive health and reduces heartburn
  • Addresses anxiety and promotes restful sleep
  • Helps maintain healthy blood pressure
  • Supports optimal fetal positioning

Self-Care Focus: Begin gentle prenatal movement or yoga, practice pelvic floor awareness, connect with your growing baby through mindful breathing, and nourish yourself with warming, protein-rich meals.

Postpartum Acupuncture Hudson NY

Third Trimester: Weeks 28-40+

The final trimester brings physical intensity as your body prepares for labor. Common concerns include insomnia, swelling, carpal tunnel, breech presentation, anxiety about labor, and physical exhaustion.

How Acupuncture Helps:

  • Turns breech babies (ideally between weeks 32-36)
  • Induces labor naturally when you're past your due date
  • Reduces swelling in hands, feet, and ankles
  • Relieves carpal tunnel and nerve pain
  • Promotes cervical ripening and prepares your body for labor
  • Calms pre-labor anxiety and supports restful sleep

Self-Care Focus: Prioritize rest and sleep, walk daily to encourage optimal fetal positioning, practice breathing techniques for labor preparation, and stay warm.

Honoring the Fourth Trimester

The first six weeks after birth—sometimes referred to as the “fourth trimester”—are crucial for healing and replenishing energy. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this period is regarded as an opportunity to replenish blood and Qi, and to restore balance after pregnancy and childbirth. When new parents focus on rest, nourishment, and support, they reduce the risk of fatigue, mood swings, joint pain, and other postpartum challenges.

Postpartum Essentials

To make the most of your recovery, focus on three key elements:
  • Food: Eat warm, nutrient‑dense meals like soups, stews, and congee. Include protein and healthy fats to support milk production and hormonal balance. Avoid raw or cold foods, excessive sugar, and caffeine.
  • Rest: Prioritize sleep and limit external demands. Lean on your partner, family, and friends for help with meals, chores, and childcare.
  • Warmth: Keep your abdomen and lower back covered to maintain warmth. Warm baths and heat packs help soothe muscles and prevent “cold” from entering the body, a concept in TCM.

If you have any questions about whether or not acupuncture treats your condition, contact me here. 

Community and Support

Healing occurs most effectively when it is a communal effort. Accept support from family, friends, or professionals to ease the transition into parenthood. Emotional support is just as important as physical help, so be open about your feelings and allow others to offer comfort. Gentle self-care practices, such as abdominal massage, breathwork, and restorative yoga, can help you reconnect with your body and calm your mind.

Common Postpartum Concerns

Abby Paloma Acupuncture supports a wide range of postpartum concerns:
  • Mood changes, including depression, anxiety, and irritability.
  • Fatigue, anemia, and dizziness.
  • Pelvic floor pain, prolapse, and uterine cramping.
  • Low milk supply or mastitis.
  • Insomnia and night sweats.
  • Cesarean section recovery and scar healing.
  • Postpartum thyroid issues, hair loss, and digestive upset.
  • Hemorrhoids, sciatica, and joint pain.
  • Diastasis recti and other musculoskeletal discomfort.

patient PRAISE

I never had cramps my life until a year ago. They were so bad I thought I had endometriosis or something seriously wrong. After undergoing a round of ultrasounds with no abnormalities and an "it is what it is" diagnosis from my OB, I knew I needed a better path forward. After seeing Abby consistently for 2 months, my cramps completely dissipated. I have now been working with Abby for 6 months and I have been cramp free and have had a significant reduction in migraines overall. I couldn't imagine keeping up with my lifestyle as a constantly traveling career gal without her intervention.
R.D.
Prior to seeing Abby, I had not had a normal period since I was about 15. And when I came to her, I had not menstruated in six months. I got my period about a week after our first session. Ever since, I have gotten my period without fail every 28-30 days.
Kristin M.
A few years ago I started feeling more emotional and had more pain before and during my menstrual cycle. I had never had to take painkillers to cope with the pain, but I know so many women who do, so I thought it was normal. Working with Abby has completely removed my pain and mood changes. I can’t tell you how empowering it is to not blame your period for your feelings. 
Anita M.
As I approach my mid 50’s, I have begun to have pre-menopausal signs. Sometimes, I came to Abby feeling bloated and concerned that I’ll skip another period. And for each time I came in feeling that way, I left feeling less bloated and I inevitably got my period within a few days after the session. This is great, but the other real win is the ease I am now starting to feel around the shift. Thanks to Abby’s encouragement, I don’t feel much, if any, anxiety leading up to this new phase of life.
Lynn H.

Acupuncture for Postpartum Recovery

Acupuncture encourages the uterus to contract, reduces excessive bleeding, relieves back and pelvic pain, supports lactation, and calms the nervous system. Treatments also help digestion, stabilize hormones, and promote restful sleep. Many parents begin acupuncture within the first week postpartum; if you had a C‑section, acupuncture can start once the incision has healed. We may incorporate techniques like ear seeds, moxibustion, and gentle abdominal massage to enhance recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need postpartum herbs if I feel fine? Yes, replenishing Qi and blood helps prevent future depletion and supports long‑term hormonal balance.

When can I start acupuncture? Many begin within the first week after giving birth. Treatment frequency depends on your needs—pain relief, lactation support, or mood balancing.

Can acupuncture help with postpartum depression? Acupuncture can help regulate hormones and reduce stress, but should be part of a broader support plan that includes mental health care.

How long is the recovery period? Everyone heals at their own pace. Many people feel stronger within six weeks, but complete recovery can take several months to achieve.

Can I use herbs or acupuncture after a C‑section? Yes. You can use herbs and nutritional support immediately. For acupuncture and herbal baths, wait until your doctor confirms the incision is healed.

Enhance Recovery with the Postpartum Herb Bundle

The Postpartum Herb Bundle is a carefully curated collection of herbal remedies designed to nourish and support you during the fourth trimester. Formulated by Dr. Abby Paloma, the bundle includes five essential preparations:

  • Postpartum Bone Broth Herbs: A therapeutic blend to enrich bone broth, supporting tissue repair and replenishing minerals depleted during pregnancy and birth.
  • Postpartum Nourishing Tea: A warming tea that replenishes vital nutrients, sustains energy levels, and promotes relaxation.
  • Mama’s Milk Tea: A traditional blend of galactagogue herbs to naturally encourage a healthy milk supply.
  • Healing Herb Bath: A restorative soak to reduce inflammation, soothe soreness, and support physical recovery.
  • Mama’s Belly Oil: A nourishing botanical oil for gentle belly massage, supporting skin elasticity, healing, and emotional connection.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

The fourth trimester is a sacred time. With the proper support, it can also be a deeply restorative one.

Whether you’re seeking acupuncture, herbal guidance, emotional support, or simply a place to rest and be cared for, Abby Paloma Acupuncture is here for you. Our Hudson and New York City clinics offer warm, welcoming spaces where your postpartum healing is honored with compassion, clinical expertise, and traditional wisdom.

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Serving Hudson, NY, New York City & virtual clients nationwide

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