Pregnancy & Labor Preparation Acupuncture in Centennial, CO
Support every stage of pregnancy—gently and naturally.
With the news of a baby on its way, it’s natural to have both excitement and anxiety. As you plan for the months ahead, make sure to promote your health and well-being with acupuncture during pregnancy or post partum.
Your body knows what to do—but sometimes it needs a nudge. At Hawthorne Acupuncture in Centennial, we offer prenatal acupuncture to help prepare for labor naturally. Our treatments are designed to support cervical ripening, optimal fetal positioning, and smooth uterine contractions in the weeks leading up to your due date. Whether you’re planning for an unmedicated birth or want to reduce the need for induction, we tailor your sessions based on your body and baby’s timeline—always with safety and comfort in mind.
Acupuncture in Pregnancy: Why Start Early
Can I start acupuncture as soon as I find out I’m pregnant?
Yes! Acupuncture is safe throughout all stages of pregnancy—including the first trimester. Starting early can help reduce:
Morning sickness and nausea
Fatigue and low energy
Anxiety and mood swings
Insomnia and sleep disturbances
Early aches and pains
We use gentle, proven techniques to help you feel more like yourself—while supporting your body and baby as they grow.
What Do We Treat During Pregnancy?
We treat a wide range of symptoms and conditions across all three trimesters, including:
First Trimester (Weeks 1–13)
Nausea and vomiting
Fatigue
Emotional stress and anxiety
Headaches
Threatened miscarriage (in supportive care only)
Second Trimester (Weeks 14–27)
Back pain, neck pain, hip pain
Round ligament pain
Heartburn or reflux
Constipation
Sleep problems
Third Trimester (Weeks 28–40+)
Sciatica and pelvic discomfort
Swelling in hands/feet
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Breech presentation (with moxibustion, ideally around week 33–35)
Labor preparation from week 36 onward
Specific Pregnancy Issues?
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Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also bring unexpected aches and pains in your low back, mid back, and hips. Fortunately, there are noninvasive therapies such as acupuncture and cupping that provide safe relief from pregnancy-related pain. We use some of the same tools and strategies as our pain and performance patients. At Hawthorne Acupuncture, we understand the importance of finding safe solutions for pregnancy-related pain. Our office provides personalized care to help ease your pregnancy aches and pains by using both acupuncture and cupping treatments. We also offer helpful exercises and stretches that you can do at home to manage your discomfort. Say goodbye to pregnancy pain! Get in touch with us today to learn how our acupuncture and cupping treatments can provide you with safe noninvasive relief during pregnancy. We look forward to helping you enjoy your pregnancy with more comfort and less aches and pains.
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Acupuncture can be a powerful tool for stress relief during pregnancy. It can help prevent burn out, reduce anxiety, promote better sleep, and alleviate fatigue due to hormonal changes. By calming down the sympathetic nervous system and decreasing stress hormones like cortisol, acupuncture helps soothe the fight or flight response that is often triggered by stressors in life. Acupuncture treatments also support improved circulation of blood and oxygen throughout your body which can lead to enhanced energy levels and improved overall well-being. With stress relief, acupuncture can help make pregnancy a more enjoyable and comfortable experience. This systematic review shows that there is “high level of evidence” that acupuncture can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression during pregnancy.
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Our team of acupuncture and herbal medicine professionals will create a personalized treatment plan to help you increase your milk supply. Our acupuncture treatments are combined with electroacupuncture, where low-voltage electricity is added to acupuncture needles to make the experience more comfortable.
Don’t worry if you’re struggling to breastfeed — we can help! Contact us today to learn how acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and herbal medicine may be able to safely increase your milk supply. We look forward to helping you enjoy breastfeeding with more confidence.
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Postpartum hormone balancing is an important step in ensuring that a woman’s hormones and overall health remain balanced when transitioning to motherhood. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be used to regulate and balance hormones, especially during the weaning process from breastfeeding.
Through acupuncture treatment combined with Chinese herbal medicine, the body’s natural ability to regulate itself can be supported. This helps correct irregular periods or PMS symptoms while also aiding in restoring fertility if trying for another baby after weaning off of breastfeeding.
Acupuncture treatments regulate hormones by stimulating endocrine cells in the uterus, ovaries, and other locations throughout the body including glands such as the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Chinese herbal medicine helps regulate hormones by nourishing the body and addressing symptoms such as stress, fatigue, or anxiety that may be contributing to an imbalance.
With postpartum hormone balancing using acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, women can rest assured that their bodies are returned to balance in a natural and safe way. This will ensure fertility later on when looking to conceive another child.
Labor Preparation Acupuncture: What to Expect
Starting around week 36, we recommend acupuncture 1–2 times per week to help the body prepare for birth. These treatments focus on:
Softening and ripening the cervix
Promoting optimal fetal positioning
Encouraging gentle uterine contractions
Calming the nervous system
Supporting natural oxytocin production
This is not about forcing labor, it’s about helping your body do what it’s naturally preparing to do, more efficiently and comfortably.
If you go past your due date, we often recommend more frequent sessions (every 2–3 days) to support spontaneous labor and avoid medical induction.
What People Are Saying
I truly can't say enough wonderful things about Cheryl, Elizabeth, and Maggie. I was referred to Cheryl by a close friend for fertility treatment after experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss, and from the very first visit, I felt completely supported and cared for. Cheryl’s deep knowledge, clear explanations, and compassionate listening made me feel like I had an entire team genuinely rooting for me.
After becoming pregnant, I continued seeing Cheryl for support with general aches and pains, and later for labor preparation as my due date approached. The level of care, professionalism, and warmth I received throughout my journey was exceptional.
Labor went as smoothly as I could’ve hoped for—I was even able to be induced without the use of Pitocin, which felt like a huge win. I am beyond grateful for Cheryl’s guidance and would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking thoughtful, effective care.
— L.G.
I saw Cheryl during my pregnancy journey! I'd absolutely recommend her and her services to anyone about to go through the labor and delivery. She was a huge part in my amazing labor story!
—B.S.
I can not begin to describe how amazing my experience was with Cheryl was l at Hawthorne Acupuncture. My midwife told me that I would need to be induced at 39 weeks and that terrified me as I wanted to go into labor naturally without inducing. She told me to try Acupuncture at 37 weeks. I had never done Acupuncture before and was a bit nervous. When I called to set up an appointment Cheryl, she got right back to me and we chatted a bit on the phone. She was able to get me in the very next day. When we met I explained my situation, and she quickly put my mind at ease and we began the treatment. Her energy was so positive and reassuring. It was such a relaxing experience, and afterwards I felt so relaxed and peaceful. The next day I could feel the baby was dropping. I saw her two more times that week with the idea that we would need to ramp up treatments the following week to try and get things moving. I didn't have to do that because my water broke two days later. I am so greatful I found Cheryl and she was able to get me in so quickly. I truly believe without her I wouldn't have had the positive birth experience that I was able to have. If you are looking at getting ready for childbirth I highly recommend seeing Cheryl to start your journey.
—D.G.
“Hawthorne Acupuncture is the best! Cheryl really listens to your needs, talks you through her process and is very supportive. I visited for prenatal care and labor prep and would absolutely recommend Cheryl and the Hawthorne team.
—S.D.
FAQs
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized acupuncture as a safe and effective treatment for pregnancy-related conditions. If you are looking for pregnancy acupuncture, it is important to seek an acupuncturist that specializes in fertility and pregnancy. Acupuncture works to stimulate the body’s energy pathways and has been used by women throughout pregnancy to provide relief from pregnancy-related symptoms such as nausea or insomnia. However, certain acupuncture points should be avoided during the first two trimesters of pregnancy in order to reduce the risk of miscarriage or pre-term labor. In the third trimester, treatments can focus on preparing for labor, aiding with discomfort and swelling, and supporting healthy fetal position.
Acupuncturists who work with pregnant or lactating women will be knowledgeable about herbal formulas that are safe to take during pregnancy and when breastfeeding. It is important to seek out an experienced pregnancy acupuncturist to ensure the highest levels of safety and effectiveness for you and your baby. Knowing this, you can confidently choose an acupuncturist who specializes in fertility and pregnancy for optimal health and comfort throughout pregnancy. If you enjoy research, here is a systematic review on adverse events while doing acupuncture on pregnant women. In this review, the rate of serious events, such as miscarriage is actually lower than the average rates of miscarriage without acupuncture.
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IYes! Early treatment can help with fatigue, nausea, and hormonal support, and it sets the tone for a healthier pregnancy.
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We recommend beginning around 36 weeks, continuing once or twice a week until you go into labor.
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Acupuncture doesn’t "force" labor, but it supports the body’s natural readiness by relaxing the mind, ripening the cervix, and helping baby engage in the pelvis.
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This depends on your goals and how your body responds. Many patients start early and come in weekly or biweekly, increasing frequency as labor approaches.
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Yes. We use moxibustion therapy between weeks 33 and 36 to help encourage baby to turn head-down. We’ll also teach you how to safely use it at home.
Why Choose Hawthorne Acupuncture
Dr. Cheryl Kujawinski, DACM, L.Ac., has over 15 years of experience supporting women through pregnancy, both naturally and with IVF. Her care is individualized, trauma-informed, and rooted in both science and ancient medicine.
5 star rated in Centennial
Board certified and trauma informed
Safe, gentle, trimester specific treatments
Holistic plans that treat your whole body
HSA and FSA accepted, superbills available for insurance.
