Acupuncture

Hi,
Has anyone tried acupuncture to bring about labour. I am getting close to my due date and no signs yet, just wondered if acupuncture would be worth a go.

Cheers Jules:)

I have, and I know a few others have as well. I found acupuncture to be fantastic but I can't say it "brought on" labour. I do think it shook the tree a bit. The Chinese proverb is that if the fruit is ripe it will fall from the tree in regards to babies being ready for birthing and the acupuncturist I saw said she can't guarantee but she can shake the tree.

For me, everytime I had a treatment something happened, either the baby engaged (as I got off the table) or I would have practice contractions for a few hours afterwards. I found the treatments helped me prepare mentally and physically for labour as they stimulated the uterus and muscles to help strengthen everything for labour.

I used to recommend it a great deal, but last week I had yet another client whose waters broke soon after acupuncture but with no labour (last one ended up with a c/s as I think another did too). So there was the induction pressure and also some have had positional issues as often happens when waters break early / first. So I am a little more hesitant to recommend it, it may be co-incidence, but there have been a few now.

Our bodies are designed to labour eventually. It may not be as soon as we hope or like, but trust your body will labour and your baby will know the journey. Perhaps go the massage which is great at relaxing you and know plenty of women who have gone into good labour from that alone.

I just had my second lot done today. My midwife has said that what she is doing isnt to bring about labour, but just to prepare things and get the energy flowing. I have 4 sessions in total. She did mention that there is a point on the little toe that she can also use which has brought on labour for a few woman, but she is very respectful of using these points. Cant say I feel anything from what she is doing but would recommend it.

I had acupuncture at 40+6.
The acupuncturist said similar things to EJ's post above, that there were different points for different things regarding labour (I can't recall exactly) and asked which ones did I want stimulated etc.

So that was on the thursday, I did not get to go back as I was given a sweep on the friday, and induced on the Sunday morning. BUT, my waters did not break of their own accord, I had ARM when I was about to push.

Hi there. I asked my DH what he though as he is an acupuncturist. Acupuncture for labour stimulates the hormones that bring on labour but may not necc bring on actual labour. Personally when I was in my pre-labour stage and having lots of irregular contractions, even acupressure brought on really strong ones within 10 mins but they still didnt regulate until my waters were broken. DH said that women should realise firstly that acupuncture is a form of intervention and secondly it won't force your body into labour.
Don't get me wrong, I had acupuncture when I was full term. I remember exactly what it was like waiting those last few weeks. My bub was still a week over. :) good luck!

Hi Ladies,
Thanks for your replies, Kelly my friend had acupuncture a few weeks ago and ended up going in labour and having a really long labour so that got me thinking whether it is worth a go or not. Think I might try the more natural methods first and just be patient!!.
Cheers Jules::)

All the best Jules! Like I say it could be co-incidence, one woman's waters broke after the session when she sat on the couch of their waiting room, and others not long after the session. But if your body isn't ready to labour - what next? The drip if you don't want to put up a huge fight.

Trust that your body will labour eventually ;)

Kelly - your comments are really interesting because that's exactly what happened to me!

I went for acupuncture as I was overdue and my Ob was threatening to induce me. The day after my acupuncture appointment, my waters broke but there was no sign of labour. So eventually I had to be induced with the drip because there was a risk of infection for bubs. So much for avoiding an induction!

Not sure I'll go for acupuncture again!