Acupuncture to induce labour

[diggingintheribs]

So it's my due date today and I am desperate to get this baby out! DS was 2 weeks early so I feel like I'm overdue already. The baby has been hurting me quite a lot when she moves and I am feeling really down. Poor DS has really been bearing the brunt of my exhaustion and emotions!

I've tried all the old wives tales - pineapple, curry, long walk etc - no joy

So tomorrow I am going for acupuncture and reflexology with a lady who tells me she has a very high success rate.

So my question is - has this worked for anyone or is it all a big con??

I paid about £80 and it didn't work for me. I had an induction date booked and I was trying to beat it. I had gestational diabetes though so the induction date was before my due date.

I'd still give a try - I think it can work if the body is ready. I was a couple of cms dilated even though not in labour and they found it easy to break my waters when I finally was induced and it didn't hurt a jot

Thanks! Will give it a go and hope she is ready.

My parents freaked out and are convinced I'm going to get hepatitis from the needles!

I tried it on my due date and it didn't work. I tried it again a week later and labour came on 12 hours later (I was told to expect it within 24 hours of the therapy). And my contractions were immediately every 3 minutes, lasting a minute. I think you have to be close to "ready" for it to work (which is why it didn't work for me first time) - or that could be me justifying 2 lots of £55 and labour within 24 hours of the second treatment was a coincidence! Whatever happens for you, good luck!

I had it two days before due date and went into labour that night. Paid about £30 I think. Didn't hurt at all xx

i had it a few days past due date. not only did it not work (ds2 finally arrived 14 days overdue) but he changed position from LOA to ROP within about an hour of it, grrrr, which i unreasonably blame on the acupuncture lady.

but good luck!

my first labour I had no warnings - my contractions started at a minute long every 5 mins.

I guess there is no way of telling if you are close or not!!

Well I'll give it a go - fingers crossed!!

xpost lady sanders

as long as she doesn't turn breech I'll take that risk as she currently swaps position every time i see a medical professional!!

I had it at 37 weeks as my waters head leaked and the hospital threatened me with induction. The midwife suggested it.

Had acupuncture at 5pm on the Thursday, felt a bit odd during that evenings last ante-natal class, went into labour that night and had an em cs at 10am the following morning.

It did hurt, but acupuncture always hurts me for some reason.

Thanks for telling me your experiences!

I'll let you know how I get on!!

I had reflexology at 11am on the Wednesday and DD2 was born at 3am on the Thursdayy after a 1hr10min labour. After my session she said she thought I was likely to go into labour within 24 hours. I am sure DD2 was ready anyway but I felt enormous amounts of love for her for weeks that DD1 was born on her due date in a short labour.

I'm having 3 sessions starting next week (36 weeks) and then a final "induction" session as I have gestational diabetes and they are planning on inducing me at 39 weeks. So I'm doing all I can to ready my body and also try to bring it on naturally....

Will be interested to hear how it goes for you. Good luck!

Well the acupuncture was fine. Refelxology hurt a bit.

When I came out they told me as my bump is high I will probably need more sessions and could give me 5 for the price of 4. I felt a bit about that and declined. If I don't go into labour before induction I will give it another go but with a different practitioner.

Been 3 hours since I left and feel no different but who knows what could happen!

Just an update!

Last night had 2 hours of contractions which eased off so I slept. mild pains this morning getting more severe now! Nothing like my first labour so far!!

Anyway, I'm not putting it down to the acupuncture!!

No reason to think acupuncture can work to induce labour.
Insufficent evidence to make a judgement.

And there are risks, although they should be small with correct practice.

I'd not go back for another treatment.