Acupuncture - how many times worked for you?

Hi ladies,

I am only one day overdue, but have decided to have acupuncture sessions to encourage bubs to come along.

Have had two already, but was wondering how many sessions other people have had before they went into labour?

At what frequency were you having the sessions and at how many weeks did you start?

I am not sure that the baby is enjoying the sessions (I get the distinct impression he/she isn't!). While it's happening he crawls up underneath my right hand rib as far as he can go. I thought this was encouraging the baby to come down?! I'm wondering if I should stop if the baby's not enjoying it. As soon as the treatment is over he wriggles back to the previous position.

With DD2, I went at 39 weeks, then again 2 days before I was due, and she was born a day early. I think it helped encourage labour to start. I had so much pre-labour prior to that.
With DD3, I went at 39 weeks, but it didn't agree with me and I ended up shaking and vomiting and almost passing out. DH had to come and pick me up and take me home. She was born 5 days later though on her own accord.
Good luck :)

I think it was three sessions, one every 3 or so days from 40 weeks. She was born at 40+10

I started induction treatment at 40 weeks. I had 4 sessions, after which I lost my mucous plug, and contractions started. DD wasnt born until 41w+1, but that was due to other reasons, so the acupuncture did get my labour going.

Sending lots of labour vibes your way hun x

The accupuncturist I see says most people have about 3 sessions, it only took 1 session for me - my waters had already broken though.

It took three sessions for me too. I had them two or three days apart, starting a week before my due date - and DD was born exactly on her EDD. The last session I actually started having mild contractions but I didn't realise that's what it was lol!

I started at 41 weeks, was booked in for 3 sessions and didn't go back for the third because I was busy having a baby!

I planned to start at 38, and keep going weekly until bubs was out.

Got the dizzy-wizzies at the first one though, so gave up altogether. Totally bummed.

I'd been having accupuncture from 25 weeks due to other pregnancy issues, but started a warm up to induction accupuncture at 38 weeks, and had my first proper induction session on my EDD, coupled with accupressure. My waters broke during the accupressure, just after the accupuncture, and DD was born 10 hours later.

I started labour prep acupuncture just before 37 weeks, had 2 sessions of that a week apart. Started labour induction points just before 39 weeks, another at 39 +3 and a third at 40 weeks. Went into labour at 40 +1.
After each induction session I felt contractions and it certainly moved bub down. I also give credit for my fairly fast 'first' labour to the preparation acupuncture.

As far as bub not liking it goes... I don't think babies like anything that disturbs their comfy living space. You are hoping for contractions and labour so don't expect bub to be happy about it. :)

I was also wondering this! I am thinking I might start at 37 weeks, we want her to hopefully be ready to come before christmas!!

I have had two sessions (one at 39+3 and one at 39+5) with electrodes. I have been in pre labour since 39 wks, and the acupuncture doesn't appear to have made a difference for me personally. At 40+2 my cervix was still closed.

I had it on the tuesday n thursday, then the electrodes on on the saturday and went into labour on the sunday, monday morning i was holding my darling!

I think it definitely did help bring my cervix down because i was high and hard before then!


Sent from my iPhone so sorry for the spelling and punctuation!!

I don't think that accupuncture works for me! I've had it for a number of issues and it never seemed to do anything for me. I had 3 sessions starting after 40 weeks and I gave up after the 3rd as there were no signs of labour being any closer, it was expensive and I didn't really enjoy it. DS was born at 41w 5 days - naturally, not induced. So while there are lots of positive stories out there, I won't be trying it again if this baby is overdue - waste of money for me!

P.S. I have a theory that accupuncture works by dealing with your stress/emotional issues and I'm naturally a low stress person and I have other effective ways of dealing with any stress, so that why it has not had any impact.

It also depends somewhat on the accupuncturist as well. Are they experienced in preg/labour specifically?
I had acupuncture throughout my pg for a few different things and started at 38 weeks with moxibustion as he was posterior. At 39.5 weeks started with electrodes and had 2 sessions of this. I went in to labour about 8 hours after the second session

I had 5 sessions all up from 38 weeks to 42! I never went into labour,(failed VBAC attempt :wall:) but after each session I had strong period pain cramping, and at 41+5 was 3cms dliated so I think it definitely was doing something. The guy I saw said roughly 3 sessions as well but I guess everyone is different. Hang in there Leesa!!

Thanks tanstar :)

I am hanging in there, trying my best too ;)

i think the key is to start early, i had one session at 30 weeks, then weekly from 35weeks, my waters broke 12 hours after my last session with electrodes at 40 weeks

Thought I should probably update, given I started the thread!

Turned out that after writing that thread, I didn't need another acupuncture session!! Bubs was born about 19 hours after writing my post, LOL! So I had two sessions, and while I wouldn't necessarily credit them with bringing on labour, they were fine to do, if a little awkward with bubs attempting to leave via my lungs and airways. I had been having pre-labour on and off during that week. So who knows!

Good luck leesa! I wonder if we went to the same person, given we're both in Adelaide?