Hijama During Pregnancy: What We Do and Do Not Do

The short answer

We do not perform wet cupping during pregnancy. Not at any stage, not on request.

Please speak to your physician first about anything you are considering while pregnant. When you have recovered, we would be glad to welcome you.

That is the whole policy. If that is all you came for, you have it. The rest of this explains the thinking, because sisters ask us, and because a one-line "no" tends to sound like we have not thought about it.

Why we say no rather than "it depends"

Hijama is a traditional practice and a personal wellness choice. It is not medical treatment, and we do not present it as one. That cuts both ways: it means we are not going to make medical claims about what hijama does, and it also means we are not the right people to be weighing up a decision about your pregnancy.

Your physician is. We are not going to put ourselves between you and that conversation, and we are not going to let a booking slot be the reason you have it late.

So the answer does not move with the trimester, and it does not move because you have had hijama before. It is simply not something we do while you are pregnant.

If you are already booked and you find out you are pregnant

Tell us. That is all you need to do.

We ask screening questions before any session — that is a thing we do on purpose and have written about separately — and pregnancy is one of the things those questions are there to catch. But you should not have to wait for the question. If you know, say so when you book or at any point before the session, and we will move you.

Nobody is going to be made to explain themselves. It happens, it is normal, and rebooking is not a problem.

What sisters usually do instead

Most come afterwards. There is a separate piece on hijama after childbirth, including the timing sisters commonly choose — the short version is that many wait until they have recovered, commonly after about forty days, and we will guide you gently on that.

If you are not pregnant and you were reading this to check before booking, the ordinary rhythm is on the how often should you have hijama page: once every three months for most people.

What a session looks like, when the time comes

So you know what you are booking into later:

• You are seen by a woman practitioner, in a private, sisters-only room.
• Your hijab and modesty are respected throughout, and only the area being treated is uncovered.
• Every session uses single-use, sterile cups and blades.
• A session for sisters is two hours, for both wet and dry cupping. Appointments are unhurried, so the time is yours.
• You will feel a firm pulling sensation from the suction; in wet cupping the small points are very superficial. Mild soreness afterwards is normal.

We are inside the HAWA Fairfax Community Center at Fair Lakes, Room 401a on the fourth floor, with free parking on site. We are by appointment only.

When you are ready

Book a time on the appointments page whenever you are. If you are not sure whether the timing is right yet, book anyway and tell us in the notes — moving an appointment is easier than talking yourself out of one.

Hijama is a traditional practice and is not a substitute for medical care. If you are pregnant or managing a health condition, please consult your physician first.