#33 Dr. Debra Betts on Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth, Mentoring Midwives, and Clinical Research

Pacific Rim College Radio

Even if she stopped today, Dr. Debra Betts would be leaving behind a tremendous legacy that has greatly impacted the global treatment of pregnancy and childbirth with acupuncture. But, as this conversation indicates, Debra is neither stopping nor slowing down her research, teaching, and pioneering work in this specialty. As Debra indicates in the episode, just because women have been told that painful births, irregular periods, and menopausal symptoms are just a normal part of life, does not mean that they need surrender to this alleged inevitability and not make efforts to enhance their health and well-being.

Augmenting her nursing background, Debra graduated acupuncture college in 1989. Inspired by her pregnancy during her studies, Debra developed a strong interest in pregnancy and childbirth and over the subsequent 3 decades has emerged as a leading authority in the area. In 2006 Debra published The Essential Guide to Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth, a textbook that has become an invaluable resource around the world and has been translated into both French and German.

In this episode Debra walks us through her doctoral research in the use of acupuncture for threatened miscarriages and the general symptomatic relief that participants experienced. She shares with us her work in teaching acupuncture to midwives over the past 20+ years and her current and exciting project in Mentoring Acupuncture Maternity Peer Support (MAMPS) through which she and 4 other leading acupuncturists provide support for acupuncturists working with all levels of pregnancy. We also discuss her multi-year writing project that culminated in the publication of her textbook.

Debra seems to reside at the forefront of her industry and is currently working to revolutionize the training protocols to generate more accessible and positive treatment outcomes. All of us in the field of Chinese Medicine have likely benefited from Debra’s work. Perhaps this conversation will birth within you an interest in using holistic therapies during pregnancy and childbirth. Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Dr. Debra Betts.

Episode Links:

https://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/

https://www.mamps.org/

The Essential Guide to Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth by Debra Betts

Journal Articles by Debra Betts

Learning Links:

School of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at PRC

Online Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine courses at PRCOnline

Student Clinic at PRC