

Pregnancy Acupuncture
There is no greater privilege than treating a pregnancy mum-to-be with Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine as the baby is also the patient and also benefits. Anecdotally, patients who have regular treatment throughout their pregnancy compared to a previous pregnancy where they haven’t received Acupuncture, report fewer pregnancy symptoms, positive birth experiences, fewer interventions, calmer babies and better breastfeeding.

Why One Acupuncture
Alison had regular Acupuncture throughout all but one of her pregnancies and knows that it really supported her through serious medical complications. She sees her positive experience repeated now in her own clinic and with the mums and their babies she has helped throughout their pregnancies.
Alison’s commitment to working with pregnant women led her to train as a Doula with Michel Odent, one of the world’s leading experts [http://www.midwiferytoday.com/bio/default.asp?name=odent]. She has attended many births as both a Doula and Acupuncturist and counts these as some of the most incredible experiences. Time constraints means she regrettably no longer offers this service, but she still offers her knowledge and experience to her patients, especially for those undertaking Pre-Birth Preparation. [link to section below]
As part of her commitment to increase awareness and improve clinical practice, Alison created and is Chair of ACT Berkshire, a regional network of Traditional Acupuncture professionals with special interest and post-graduate training in Fertility & Pregnancy. [http://www.actberks.org.uk/alison-savory.html]. Representing ACT, Alison and her colleagues have provided professional training to midwives at a local hospital on Acupuncture in Pregnancy. ACT seeks to foster closer ties with Health Professionals in this area.
What you receive
- one-to-one care with a calm space to relax and review your complete medical and personal history, so together we can identify likely causes and how best to help you
- A full Chinese-Medicine based diagnosis -of your total health and also how it relates to your pregnancy
- Unique treatment plan, tailored at every treatment to how you are
- Diet and lifestyle advice based on your diagnosis
- Free access to the clinics lending library of pregnancy-related books
- Self-support: advice on energy exercises, self-massage, acupressure
- Optional cross-referral to trusted other therapists, if appropriate
- Optional cross-referral to trusted other therapists, if appropriate
- Pregnant patients receive top priority for clinic appointments with an out-of-hours service available if needed
- Pre-birth Preparation includes private tuition for both partners (optional) of birth positions, (from 35 weeks to term)
- Birth-fit Programmeas part of weekly birth-preparation treatments (from 35+ weeks), private tuition for both partners (optional) of acupressure points for pre-and labour, birth positions, advice on a positive birth experience. More details here.

How we Treat

Is it Safe?

What we Treat
Threatened and/or recurrent miscarriage
Morning Sickness incl. Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Depression & Anxiety
Insomnia
Piles & Constipation
Migraine & Headache
Postnatal Depression (PND)
Sinusitis
Acid Reflux
Musculoskeletal Pain (incl. Back/sciatica, Pelvic pain, Joint pain)
Musculoskeletal Pain (incl. Back/sciatica, Pelvic pain, Joint pain)
Premature Labour
Breech Presentation
Prebirth Preparation
Onset of Labour
Postnatal Support including "Mother roasting", lactation support.
Birth-Fit Programme
At One Acupuncture® the Birth Fit Programme recommends weekly treatments from 35+ weeks. There is no extra charge for this service. Patients and their partners receive a private coaching session on important acupressure points to use in pre-and during labour as well as support and insights into creating an optimal environment for a positive birth, all rooted in Alison’s training with Debra Betts [see link at bottom section], a leading maternity acupuncturist and her training and experience as a birth doula/acupuncturist.
Regular treatments in the weeks leading up to the birth can be given to harmonise energy and to focus on the process of labour. For example, it is thought that acupuncture can help to support the ligaments and sinews as they stretch to widen the pelvis, helping to soften and ripen the cervix, which helps the baby descend into the pelvis in the optimal position, as well as boosting your energy reserves. This is an important time for treatment.
important time for treatment.
InNew Zealand in 2004 a studywasdone, led by Debra Betts, looking at 169 women who received pre-birth acupuncture given by midwives. Compared to local population rates there was an overall:
• 35% reduction in the number of inductions
• 31% reduction in the epidural rate
• Compared with midwifery only care a 32% reduction in emergency caesarean delivery
• 9% increase in normal vaginal births
It was also noted by the midwives involved in the study that they observed a trend in the women who received pre-birth treatment to respond particularly well to acupuncture induction, further reducing the need for medical induction.
Depending on the mothers condition a 40 week treatment may be recommended and encouragement of onset of labour can be undertaken with acupuncture from week 41+, bearing in mind that 40-42 weeks is a normal window for natural onset of labour.
Onset of Labour
Postnatal Support including “Mother roasting”, lactation support.

A summary of the professional postgraduate courses Alison has attended relating specifically to Pregnancy Care. You can find a complete list of courses taken, here.
Course Title (lecturer)
Acupuncture in Pregnancy (Dr Debra Betts)
Pregnancy Care for Specific Conditions (Dr Debra Betts)
Confidence in Maternity Acupuncture (D Betts)
Step Further in Obstetric Acupuncture (Sarah Budd)
Fertility & Obstetric Clinical Skills (ACT Berkshire)
Treating Pregnant Women (Rebecca Avern)
Obstetrics (Jani White)
Obstetrics (Jani White)
Doula Training (Michel Odent)
Pregnancy / Postnatal (6 weeks)
General factsheets (not specifically pregnancy-related) on:
Nausea & Vomiting / Insomnia (not Pregnancy-related specifically)
Interesting Articles & Press
Debra Betts, PhD: Dr Betts is highly regarded as a leading international expert on pregnancy acupuncture, having trained and led a midwifery acupuncture team in New Zealand as well as publishing one of the seminal texts in this area. Alison has trained extensively with her. She generously provides a wealth of useful information including an app, DVD and guidance on Acupressure in Labourand Alison shares this with patients in her PreBirth Preparation sessions. Click here
NCT: National Childbirth Trust. Alison was active in her local NCT for a decade, including being Co-Branch Co-ordinator.
Tommys: Fund research into pregnancy problems and provide pregnancy information
Pregnancy Sickness Support:
Miscarriage Association:
Pelvic Pain UK:
PANDAS: Pre and PostNatal Depression Advice and Support
TAMBA: Twins & Multiple Births Association.
ARC: Antenatal Results and Choices
Positive Birth Movement:
Kicks Count:
Baby Buddy: Free app.
PREGNANCY Testimonials
“I went to see Alison at her clinic through recommendation. Before visiting Alison, I spoke to her on the phone for an initial consultation, this was so I was aware of she was going to do & to understand the whole concept. Any doubts had at this stage were diminished as Alison explained everything fully and felt confident enough to visit her. I was 33 weeks pregnant when I first visited Alison. my first visit, straight away she made me feel at ease, and advised of all the treatment she was going to do thoroughly… I found Alison to be very professional as well informative in regards to her line of work I went away from my first appointment feeling very relaxed, refreshed & had an amazing nights sleep for the first time in my pregnancy. I saw Alison on a weekly basis for the next 5-6 weeks for pre-birth acupuncture before going into labour at 39+3 weeks. I thoroughly recommended Alison & acupuncture as a complimentary treatment whilst on my ante-natal NCT course, and would also recommend it to anyone who is looking for treatment…
With the prebirth acupuncture as well as early stage labour treatment from Alison, I honestly believe that I had an amazing short labour (27 minutes for established labour), I know that when me & my husband try for baby number 2. the first person I will be calling is Alison. Thank you Alison for helping me through the late stages of my pregnancy, for being amazing at what do & for really making a difference… A very happy proud mummy…”




