According to Dr. Bob Flaws, one of North America’s
foremost experts on Chinese Medicine GYN OB, the prohibition against
treating pregnant women is to prevent unqualified and inexperienced
practitioners from intervening and potentially doing harm. Dr. Flaws states,
however, that practitioners who receive professional training from a TCM
specialist who is knowledgeable and experienced in Chinese Medicine GYN OB
can learn to treat problems in pregnancy safely, effectively and with
confidence.
For trained practitioners there are certain conditions in
pregnancy where treatment using some of the forbidden points and/or herbs is
warranted and even necessary. In particular, bleeding during pregnancy is always
serious and may indicate that the woman is at risk of loosing the fetus. But to
safely treat a woman in this condition, the practitioner must be able to make
the correct pattern diagnosis and know the appropriate treatment.
Dr Flaws gives the example of diagnosing and treating blood
stasis with blood quickeners.
According to Chinese OB texts, blood stasis is one of the
four basic causes of bleeding. If the total pattern (i.e., all the corroborating
signs and symptoms) indicates blood stasis, and blood stasis threatens the
viability of the fetus, then blood quickeners may be indicated. In this case
blood-quickeners are not toxic to the fetus and are in fact necessary to protect
and preserve the pregnancy. Blood quickening, according to the meaning of the
Chinese character sheng, refers to “bringing the blood back to life” and so can
preserve and promote life and birth.
It is critical, however, that the correct pattern
differential is determined. Conditions like myomas during pregnancy may or may
not indicate blood stasis or threaten the pregnancy. Simply the presence of a
myoma on an ultrasound does not equal blood stasis. The collaborating signs and
symptoms must be present to arrive at the diagnosis of Blood stasis and to
warrant the use of certain points and herbs.
Thus in order to treat a pregnant patient, you must ensure
that you are capable of making a thorough and accurate diagnosis of symptom
patterns and that you have the knowledge to prescribe the safest most effective
treatment. If you do not feel fully confident treating a patient then do both
you and her a favor and refer her to someone who does have the proper skill and
experience. As a practitioner you are obliged, above all, to “do no harm.”
However, with adequate training and experience you can develop the knowledge and
skill to treat conditions in pregnancy with confidence and success.
References: Chinese Medical Obstetrics by Bob Flaws Advanced
Training in Chinese Medical Gynecology - Complete Course by Blue Poppy
