Occupy My Uterus

Traditional Chinese Medicine defines placenta previa as Sinking Qi. The objective of treatment is to raise Qi, promote a calm fetus and prevent or stop bleeding. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses two techniques in combination to treat the condition. The first is an herbal medicine, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, which raises Qi. This treatment is also used to prevent miscarriages. The second technique is acupuncture via Du 20 accupoint on the top of the head.

Betts, D. (2006).  Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth. Hove: The Journal of Chinese Medicine Ltd. // holistickid.com

I am treating Placenta Previa

Now I know what you must be thinking. You must be thinking I'm out my pretty little mind for considering paying someone to put needles in my head. Maybe that's actually what I AM thinking and not what you're thinking. But in either case, it's a safe therapy that can't do any harm. The problem for me wouldn't be so much a psychological barrier to alternative therapy. Rather, it would be the alternative cost. Sadly, my insurance doesn't cover Traditional Chinese Medicine. But it does cover addictive deadly narcotics and life threatening major surgeries. ;)

Viva la Résistance

I did find a possible place to start exploring acupuncture. Using my master Googling skills, I happened upon www.acuhealing.org which is apparently run by a M.D. who also practices Traditional Chinese Medicine. So I sent the clinic an email and I'll probably call them in the morning. Although I'm almost sure it's not in my budget, it can't hurt to check it out.

Nerdage: Placental Trophotropism and Dynamic Placentation

I learned some big words today: Placental Trophotropism and Dynamic Placentation.

Placental trophotropism refers to a phenomenon where there is dynamic migration of the placenta at its insertion through gestation. The placenta tends to grow in areas of good blood supply and nutrition and artophies in areas with poor blood supply and poor nutrition. Placental trophotropism is also the reason for placenta previa noted in an early pregnancy scan to resolve in certain cirumstances in a later scan. Trophotropism, also referred to as Dynamic Placentation, placental tissue can be compared to the tendency of a plant to lean towards the sun to get the light it needs to survive. Since the lower segment of the uterus is not as nourishing as the upper segment, the placenta will grow upwards to reach more nourishing tissue.

Farquharson RG, Stephenson MD; Early Pregnancy. Cambridge Univ Pr. (2010)
Baergen RN, Benirschke K.; Manual of Pathology of the Human Placenta. Springer Verlag. (2010)
Benirschke K, Kaufmann P; Pathology of the Human Placenta. Springer (2000)

I will refrain from the Freudian analysis...

Based on this theory, developed by Dr. Harris Finberg, M.D., logically one should be able to therefore "coax" the placenta in a desired direction by improving the quality and quantity of blood supply at the top of the uterus while simultaneously reducing the available blood supply to the bottom of the uterus.

Here fishy fishy fishy!!!

The interesting thing about this theory is that it gives some weight to the Traditional Chinese Medicinal approach to the condition, as well as, the requirement of Pelvic Rest.

The Traditional Chinese Medicinal therapy for placenta previa is to use acupuncture and herbs to stimulate blood flow to the top of the uterus. In addition, orgasm greatly improves circulation to the vaginal and cervical areas (I sure hope it does!). But doing this however, it gives the placenta a rich source of nutrients. By refraining from all orgasm, stimulation and sex; it doesn't just prevent the cervix from being aggravated, it helps reduce the blood flow to the area (often signified by genital arousal and overall warm fuzzy feelings that I will genuinely spite not having.)

*cough*

This is precisely how I envisioned pregnancy. #Fail

So I'm researching places that do acupuncture on pregnant women. I've yet to find anything in my area. But I'll keep looking. If you hear of anything, leave a comment.