is there anyone here who thinks its a bad idea to have reflexology/acupuncture/whatever to try to bring on labour?

[Tutter]

i.e. being of the view that you should just let the baby arrive when he/she is right and ready?

[meandmy]

iv heard its very good to keep you relaxed etc not sure id want touching whilst in labour etc

[Tutter]

not so much in labour, meandmy - i'm talking about having 'priming' sessions, aimed at starting labour

[lulumama]

IMO, and the small amount I know, you cannot do any harm, just baby won;t come if you and he aren;t ready for labour

[jofeb04]

Hiya Tutta,
I'm qualified in Reflexology, and I have worked with pregnant women to try to bring on their labour. I would only work with them after the 40weeks, and sometimes it "seemed" to work, other times it didn't.

IMO, it can help, if the baby is almost ready to come, but if the baby is still high, it is more than likely that it will not work.

[Pennies]

I hda accupuncture to bring on DD1 at 40+5. I had it on the Monday - contractions started that night BUT she was not born until the Friday, by which time I was utterly exhausted.

My own conclusion from this is that in my case the accupuncture did start labour but my body was not ready to go into labour and so it really prolonged the process.

I didn't do it again with DD2 and ended up being induced resulting in a 3 hour labour (too quick for any pain relief except G&A) from start to finish. I think I prefered the shorter option in the end as DD1's birth was so very very long and tiring, despite DD2's being very painful and sudden (and a breach delivery).

So, IMO yes it works if yo're absolutely ready to pop but I woldn't do it again.

[RBH]

I had acupuncture at 40+4 with dd2 who was then born at 41 weeks. No idea if the acupuncture helped get her to hurry up but it was lovely and relaxing! Mind you it was my dbs partner so it was free and don't know whether i would have bothered otherwise!

[Princesspowersparkle]

Hi Tutter- I'm planning on having reflexology next week, more to make my feet/ myself feel loads better then to bring on labour but if it happens, it happens!
I don't think there is anything wrong with trying things, as lulu says the baby will come when its ready, but at least you can feel semi productive in your final weeks. Gives you something else to think about.
Not long for you now either- are you considering trying anything?
X

[Tutter]

thanks all

hi pps - i had reflexology at 39+3 with ds1 and went into labour that night

am booked in for a session next tuesday (will be 39+2)

just had a chat with a friend who had both acupuncture and reflexology and feels that it was too aggressive - that her body wasn't ready (she did go into labour shortly afterwards but had a difficult labour ending in emergency section)

am, of course, hoping that ds2 decides the time is right before we even get to tuesday...

[Princesspowersparkle]

Hee- i'm trying to get an appt for one day early next week too for some reflexology but am hoping it will come this weekend.
Quite looking forward to it- never had reflexology before but sounds amazing!
Hope it works for you if LO hasn't arrived by then!

[Tutter]

you do realise i'll be most put out if you beat me to it, pps - as this is your first (i think?) you should be behind me i think...

[Princesspowersparkle]

How about the same day?? I can't wait any longer!!! Does tomorrow suit you??
Yes its my first- getting really impatient now!

[cornsilk]

I have never understood why women would want to bring on their labour. Just let your body get on with the job!

[Tutter]

cornsilk, first time round it was pure impatience to meet ds

this time it's mroe about practicalities. we don't have family locally so am concerned about the ILs ability to get here quick enough to mind ds - i had a fast labour with ds, plus i have to be in quickly for IV abs this time around. would be great if it could happen this weekend