Acupuncture/ Acupressure for the Induction of Labor
Multiple studies have been done to study the effect of acupuncture on labor, rate of Cesarean rate, and rates of serious problems with the mother or baby. They have found evidence suggests that acupuncture at the end of pregnancy may help the woman's cervix become more ripe and ready to go into labor. There was no difference in number of problems experienced by those receiving acupuncture, sham acupuncture, or the control group. Acupuncture during pregnancy is considered safe. As explained on the website, EvidenceBasedBirth.com, “there were two recent systematic reviews that looked at adverse effects of acupuncture during pregnancy. One was done by Park and colleagues, and the other was done by Clarkson and colleagues, and these were both published in 2015. They state that most adverse effects are minor and are not related to the pregnancy. These are the normal side effects of acupuncture, that may include things such as fainting, a drop in your blood pressure, drowsiness, discomfort, localized bleeding, all of which are things that acupuncturists should be used to dealing with and managing in their clinical practice.”
Specific outcomes or timeframes can be difficult to predict for individual mothers-to-be when utilizing acupuncture at the end of their pregnancy. However, this method is becoming more and more popular as women with uncomplicated pregnancies seek to avoid medical induction. Acupuncture works with the body’s hormone balance as the woman’s body prepares for birth. As stated by Karen Pohlner on Pregnancy.com.au, “In order to induce labour using acupuncture a woman’s energy needs to be invigorated and moved downwards and outwards to allow her baby to be born. The baby also needs to be stirred from a relatively restful, nourishing, restorative (Yin) state to an active, moving, dynamic (Yang) state. This process can naturally take time depending on the readiness of both mother and baby. Generally, if a baby is mature, acupuncture will assist in promoting labour; if the baby is not ready, then induction will be difficult to achieve.
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Acupressure is another natural way to induce labor. When you receive pressure on the acupressure points, it stimulates the blood flow helping the baby move into the pelvis. It keeps your baby in the right position for labor, initiates contractions and dilates the cervix. There is also an additional benefit of acupressure for labor induction. It relieves labor pains and is free of side effects. Be sure to check with your health care provider to confirm their agreement that it is safe to use acupressure.
If you are way past your due date and are interested in Acupressure to help induce labor, the following 3 situations would signal the appropriate usage, as noted by Rebecca Malachi of Mom Junction:
1. When the due date has passed and the delivery did not happen yet
2. When you are in labor and require contractions to strengthen muscles
3. When the amniotic fluid breaks with a gush of fluid before the active labor commences.
After this approval is received, there are 12 acupressure points that can be utilized, ranging from the hands to feet to ankles and torso. The acupressure points can be used at any time during the delivery. It may be especially helpful for your partner to rub your feet during labor. For a detailed description of the 12 acupressure points, please click here
Tai Chi Acupuncture & Wellness Center is a clinic located in North Reading, MA and Medford, MA. We are designed to bring affordable, effective acupuncture to the North Shore. The North Reading Center is located 7.8 miles from Andover, MA, 16.0 miles from Bedford, MA, 14.1 miles from Beverly, MA, 10.7 miles from Burlington, MA, 9.9 miles from Danvers, MA, 3.9 miles from Lynnfield, MA, 4.6 miles from Middleton, MA, 9.8 miles from North Andover, MA, 9.4 miles from Peabody, MA, 4.9 miles from Reading, MA, 6.0 miles from Wakefield, MA and 6.2 miles from Wilmington, MA.
The Medford, MA Center is located 2.6 miles from Arlington, MA, 14.9 miles from Bedford, MA, 5.1 miles from Belmont, MA, 5.9 miles from Boston, MA, 12.8 miles from Brookline, MA, 4.1 miles from Cambridge, MA, 4.3 miles from Everett, MA, 3.9 miles from Somerville, MA, 4.7 miles from Stoneham, MA, 7.8 miles from Waltham, MA and 2.9 miles from Winchester, MA.