Acupuncture Treatment for Depression During Pregnancy: Conceptual Framework and Two Case Reports

Severe depression is common during pregnancy. It is associated with more negative pregnancy outcome and is a risk factor for postpartum depression. Treatment options available for depressed women during pregnancy are limited. Preliminary data suggest acupuncture as an effective treatment for depression. This article presents a systematic and standardized approach to acupuncture treatment, and its implementation is demonstrated using two case reports selected from a larger pool of participants in an ongoing study testingthe efficacy of acupuncture in treating depression during pregnancy. Baseline characteristics and outcome are presented from the integrated perspective of Western psychiatry and Chinese medicine.