Acupuncture at 27+ weeks - is it safe??

I'm booked in to have a session tomorrow but I'm suddenly very nervous about it and wondering if I should go.

I did acupuncture as part of my IVF cycle, continued through the first and half of the second trimester, gradually dropping from weekly, to f/nightly to monthly appts then stopped. My acupuncturist suggested I come back at about the 6 month mark for a one off session as apparently in chinese medicine this is an important time for the growing baby and a session now would be really beneficial for bub for the long term - now I dunno much about chinese medicine but I'll take his word for it!

But now thoughts of rupturing membranes, contractions, basically premature labour are running though my head (this is a pretty big fear of mine, have no idea where it has come from) and I just don't know whether to go or not!!

Anyone been at this stage of prg?

Hi Willow - you may have seen I have also done a post on acupuncture as this has been recommended to me for a whole range of reasons - back pain and app reduces labour times etc...
Anyway I havent had a lot of responses (yet :-)) but I have done some research and I think as long as you are going to someone reputable you should be ok, there are some points they use for inducing labour and others for other symptoms and treatments. That said I want to do some more research too before I go...
A good friend of mine is a chinese medicine practioner and acupuncturist (as well as western medical quals) - i would go to her but she is in Melb.. anyway I am speaking to her later and planned to ask what she would recomment so I will let you know what she says too.
I want to go now for this excruciating back pain I have and then later for internal relaxation and hopefully shorter labour...

Thanks pregpan, I'll go and read your post now, didn't see it before - whoops!!

I'd love to hear what your friend has to say. At this stage I'll be going to my appt and will discuss my concerns with him before we start - I'll be telling him to stay away from my 'uterus' and any other points that might be an issue!!

:hugs: Willow I as many others can relate to your fears...

I have used acupuncture in early pregnancy and then to induce labour. I was all fine with it and it helped to bring about my labour (I believe). I have also used moxa to turn my dd3 who was breech.

I think women are wise. If you are feeling nervous or afraid try and get in touch with why... I have a friend who is a natural therapist and she actually disagrees with acupuncture in pregnancy as she says it alters the energy flow through the chakras... Now, I don't know if that is so... Many women use acupuncture to good effect in pregnancy. But if it's going to make you feel nervous then perhaps wait... Think and reflect and make a decision in a few days.

Millions of chinese use it - the points to stimulate labour will not be used. However, during my last pregnancy I had weekly acupuncture and I actually found it quite stressful also. There were many what ifs... What if it does this... Does that... Much of this stems though from my fears and concerns.

This pregnancy I have chosen not to have acupuncture until I want to stimulate labour. Just because of my friend (don't you love the power of suggestion) and the fact that I don't want to fix something that doesn't appear to be broken.

I know this isn't very helpful Willow - I am just trying to be really frank about how I feel right now... :hug:

Hi Willow,
If you are going to someone reputable then you should be fine. Someone who knows what they are doing will know which points to avoid and which ones are fine.
HTH

Thanks Deb - that's what I am thinking - there's no real reason for this session. I am in no pain or discomfort and so far the prg is going well, particularly at this stage. I just don't want to mess with that in a way??

The problem I have is I've had to reschedule this appt so many times and missed about 3 in a row before I decided to call it quits and if I do it again tomorrow, I think I can pretty well say goodbye to this acupuncturist because he will be more than a little annoyed with me!!

I will see how I am feeling tomorrow, if still anxious I will cancel and blame work and he'll have to get over it! I just think the added worry at the moment will not do me much good emotionally and as there's nothing wrong physically, why do it?

If I were close to term or overdue I wouldn't hesitate but I'm a long way off that yet.

It sounds like you have come to a decision. If you choose to cancel - he will understand. I would just say I am truly sorry but I am feeling concerned... Or just blame work!
Thinking of you... :hug:

Willow if it doesnt feel right for you then def dont do it... you dont need the worry and if all is going well - then leave good alone!

Thanks girls.

I guess it may seem melodramatic to some but for me it comes down to this basic question - do I trust this guy 100% with my baby's safety and well being?? The answer is no, I don't. That's not a reflection on his professionalism or capability, but it's what my gut is telling me.

I will call and leave a message for him tonight saying I have reconsidered having a session at this time in my prg but thank him for all he's done in the last 6 months etc. If he doesn't understand, then I'd rather not go back and see him anyway.

I have booked in for acupuncture from 37 weeks, and the girl I am going to does more to prepare the body for labour for the first few sessions, and doesn't do any inducing methods until after 41 weeks.
So I guess there are different ways to do it, I suppose depending where the needles go etc.so speak to the person you are going to see and just clarify with them they are not doing anything to induce labour, and rather to prepare you for labour.

Hi all,

I am considering accupunture myself to help induce labour, but I would like to know if it is painfull and has it worked for anyone ?


dd7 dd9
edd 19/8/07

Mumofgirls I believe it worked for me and it didn't hurt at all!

Willow - what an assertive gutsy woman. I loved what you said... I am glad you are feeling at peace with your choice. That's wonderful... I always say it but us women are wise! When we listen to our little voice inside it never fails us... :hug:

Willow, I had acupuncture all the wall through my pregnancy starting with monthly, then fortnightly and then weekly as the pregnancy progressed. I saw an acupuncturist in Newcastle that specialised in womens health and fertility and she was wonderful. In the last week I had 3 sessions to try and get things going as my DS was 2 weeks over. My last session was on a Friday, I went into labour on the sat and DS was born Sun morn. I loved it and I believe it helped me relax and remain centred throughtout my entire pregnancy. It's up to you though, do what you feel is right for you and your baby.

Thanks for sharing your experience Krisp.

I just wanted to make it clear though that I am only 27 weeks so this session would not be to induce or encourage labour - and in fact that's what I'm concerned about!

Put it down to paranoia after losing my last baby, but at this point in my prg I think the worry it would cause me would outweigh the benefits.

Awww Deb - thank you. I don't think I've ever been called assertive before!

Well I think you were very assertive and I loved how you came to a decision that felt good for you... I understand exactly how that feels when you are not sure about something... It can be confusing and difficult...