acupuncture to start labour?

[HardCheese]

Decided this merited a thread of its own. I told my midwife I definitely didn't want a sweep, and she suggested a couple of acupuncture sessions around my due date (as I'd rather avoid induction if I go way overdue). She said she'd seen it have some success in bringing on labour and is going to refer me to a midwife she knows who also practices acupuncture.

Has anyone had any experience of the effectiveness of this?

Yes - 2 lots within 3 days when dd1 due. Dd arrived day 4. Know someone else where kids arrived similarly quickly after .

Thanks, Gigondas - good to know it worked for someone, as I'm not entirely convinced by it as an idea. Can I ask whether you started it before your due date or left it till you were a bit overdue? Is having several sessions in fairly quick succession the key? (Also, where do the needles go? - I've only ever had acupuncture for a frozen shoulder!)

I had acupressure from an acupuncturist (needle phobe). I think it can be as effective as a sweep. Needles would go in lower back or inside lower leg or top of foot between big toe and 2nd toe. A good acupuncturist will 'read your pulses' and discuss the best plan for you.

The acupuncturist I used has had lots of success in bringing on labour. She also did a lovely post-natal treatment too.

I hope it works for you.

Thanks for that motherofsnortpigs. I have no problem with needles as such, as long as they aren't going anywhere 'delicate'. Though the only time I've had acupuncture I had quite a violent physical response to it afterwards - threw up and fainted on my way out, and gave the entire waiting room a major fright. But will take that in my stride if it helps labour get underway!

Actually, if you've had a strong response in the past, I'd be really hopeful for it inducing labour for you.

Yes. Used with my DD1. Had 2 sessions. Waters went 6 hours after second session and laboured well.

Don't think anyone can say it was the acupuncture that caused it, as baby will come when ready. But I think if baby is ready it can give it a kick start.

Now 20 weeks pregnant with second and will be doing it nearing due date again.

I had relaxation point between eyes, one between thumb and forefinger and one on ankle somewhere. At least this is all I can remember. Was 3 years ago!

Best of luck. Can't hurt to try!

Yes! After being induced with DC1 I was keen to avoid it a second time. Had first minor treatment at 40+3, then proper all-guns-blazing treatment at 40+9. Had treatment on Monday night, show plus latent labour on Tuesday morning, DD was born in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.

I'm 37 weeks with number 3 and will be doing it again for sure!

(also used it to rotate dd when she was breech. She went head down at 36 weeks.)

Excellent to have this thread! Acupuncture is great in naturally inducing. The points used are usually on your lower back, hands, feet and lower legs.

They have the function of ripening the cervix and stimulating the body's descending energy. Your practitioner may add a few other points too depending on how you're feeling - ie. maybe you're anxious or fearful.

Good luck ladies. Any q's just ask!

I had acupressure throughout my pregnancy and acupuncture go help get labour going. I don't know if it had any effect, but my waters broke early and I was on a 72 hour countdown to medical intervention if it didn't start naturally so I did everything. Curry, sex, ate 3 whole fresh pineapples, splashed clary sage oil everywhere, drank pints of raspberry leaf tea and had acupuncture. DD arrived one hour inside the 72 hour deadline.

Labour started about 12 hours after my acupuncture session.

Thanks, everyone. To those in the know, when should I book my first acupuncture appointment in relation to my due date, assuming everything continues normally - a week beforehand? Or wait till due date and then get busy with the needles? Or take midwife's advice nearer to the time? My priority is not being induced if I go to 42 weeks plus.

Hi HardCheese, take your midwife's advice but wait until your due date to have any induction acupuncture - then get busy with the needles!
And don't worry - it's ok to have acupuncture during your pregnancy as your acupuncturist will avoid the induction points.

I had my first session of acupuncture the day before my due date and the acupuncturist (v experienced Traditional Chinese Medicine practioner) said she was confident things would start within 24hrs. It was incredibly relaxing so was beneficial from that point of view, but nothing happened so I went back about 2 days later for another session.

This time I was exhausted after it, really wiped out, but still no signs of labour. I went back again for a 3rd time and went into labour about 12hrs later. When my labour started it was incredibly fast - less than 2hrs from the very first tiny twinge to DD2 being born. As DD1 took days, I think the acupuncture may have helped speed things up once it started.

BTW she did electro-acupuncture each time - basically using a TENS machine with the needles to provide extra stimulation. It was pretty strong (not quite painful) in the final session but I guess that was what got things going.

Has anyone looked into accupuncture for pain relief during labour?

I’m 38+4 do you think I should have acupuncture to start labour now or wait until next week ?