Acupuncture

[MamaPan]

Hi All
Just wanting to know what experiences or info people have on using acupuncture in the last few weeks of pregnancy (say from 34 or 36 weeks). It has been recommended to me, for a range of reasons - pain relief in back, helping bring labour along and for relaxation internally and leading to shorter labours... so any experience, opinions, info would be appreciated!!
Also if anyone has used it earlier or whatever I am interested in hearing your experiences and views.
Thanks

[mbear]

Good thread pregpan - i will be watching with interest....im looking down this road too closer to EDD, but dont really know a whole lot about it.....

[~*Niadalla*~]

I am very temtped to give it a go over the next few days..... I will let u know if I do

[morv]

I can't tell you anything about acupuncture in the last few weeks but I have been having it for my pelvic pain. It is great for pain relief. I don't think that it really solves the problem but the pain relief is fantastic.

[Firstkid]

Hello!

I used acupuncture because I was overdue, and wanted to avoid an induction.

The day after the acupuncture, my waters broke, but there were no contractions, and no sign of labour. After 24 hours of waiting for contractions, I had to have an induction (my OB didn't want me to wait longer as there is a risk of infection for bubs once the waters break).

So using acupuncture to avoid an induction didn't work for me! And from other threads, I understand that a similar thing (waters breaking but no contractions) has happened to a number of people.

[MamaPan]

Well I asked my OB today and she said Acupuncture is perfectly safe at any stage, just go to someone who has experience with preg women!
She has recommended that I can go now for back pain if I like... and that around 35 weeks I could start for deep relaxation and labour prep and then around 39 wks they may start to do some of the pts they use to induce labour... she said that there are many studies that show benefits, she personally is not sure either way but it certainly wont do me any harm....
So i think I will go for it!

[Ginger]

does anyone know a good one in eastern suburbs of melbourne? sounds like a really good idea

[BellyBelly]

I have become unsure about acupuncture for induction after three of my clients had used it, waters soon ruptured (one in the office of the acupuncturist!) and no labour came on in a good time frame. Two of those ended up as c/s and of my clients only 3-4 have had c/s. So I have taken the stance of trusting that the woman's body will eventually labour and patience is the most important thing. It may have all been a coincidence, but our bodies are designed to labour eventually and I would rather them labour in their own time when the balance of hormones is perfectly right.

[MamaPan]

Yeah Kelly I have heard that about induction so I dont think I would use it for that... I am more keen for relaxation and mainly for this AWFUL AWFUL backpain I have at the moment which I think it may help with (cupping also possibly)...

Gracie - I do know someone in High St Armadale, a good friend of mine who does Chinese Med and Acupuncture etc - she actually specialises in women's health. If you want the details let me know.

[Meg01]

I started accupuncture last week - was intending it for induction purposes, eventually. Am almost 37 weeks now and don't want to go overdue because I'm aiming for a vbac. I'm a little hesitant now, after reading these posts. However, accupuncture for relaxation was brilliant. I was very sceptical of it, but loved it and the effects afterwards.