Has anyone tried accupuncture to induce labour?

[octopussyintummy]

Just weighing up possible ways to bring on labour beside the usual rasp tea, sex etc - has anyone had accupuncture before or after their due date to kick start contractions?

yes and it didn't work. I had three sessions and it did help me relax and sleep well, but it didn't help start labour. I had sessions starting at 41 weeks if I remember well. I'm sure it does help in some cases.

I was 10 days late octopussyintummy. Had the acupuncture on tuesday afternoon and gave birth wednesday evening. I did though also do a spinning class wednesday morning after which my waters broke so who knows whether it was the acupuncture, the spinning or just that the time was right.
The acupuncture was enjoyably relaxing though I seem to recall.

no but my mw recommends it before trying other types of induction - nothing to lose

Is it your first pregnancy? I was overdue both times. With DS acupuncture didn't seem to have much effect but it may have as he came naturally in the end (after going 15 days over!). With DD I had acupuncture when 5 days past due date and having niggly pains. Went into labour within minutes and poor DH had to deliver our baby in the corridor - so proceed with caution!

Yes, and I had the baby later that same day (but I also had a spread and castor oil with orange juice!). It sounds a bit extreme but I was desperate. By my dates my ds2 was three weeks late but the hospital did not think so. He was a whopping 9.5 pounds!

I don't know that I would recommend castor oil but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Having said that I know it can give some people awful diarrhoea and nothing else!

i'm 5 days over due today. I had reflexology and moxibustion on Monday and had a few mild contractions. Was told to wait 3 days and if nothing happened they would try acupuncture and firmer reflexology. Went back yesterday and was surprised by how uncomfortable the acupuncture was not just the initial insertion of the needles, but the numbing feeling in my leg was scary and painful - wasn't prepared for this everything i read said it was relaxing! Nothing happened, not even mild contractions! Have eaten a whole pineapples, raw papaya, raspberry tea since 37 weeks, spicy food - none of it has worked for me, but i guess it's up to the baby when it arrives, i'm just hoping it is all helping to 'ripen' the cervix and make labour quicker....?!

I had very very strong contractions at 36 weeks after a trip to London, which i think was due to going up and down the stairs on the underground and the general fast pace of walking in the city. And my friend swears she went in to labour, a week early, on Sunday because she hosted a party and was on her feet all day and going up and down the stairs, so perhaps being active does the trick?!

yes i did but it didnt work for me, (though it cured my IBS!) i also tried reflexology which was lovely but also didnt work. i think maybe if your body is ready to go it might tip you over the edge into full blown labour.
good luck!

Thanks for all your thoughts - its my third baby - the first was an emerg section on due date - so would have been late and ds2 was 10 days late - I have accupuncture alot for my back and it works great - but when had it for morning sickness didn;t help at all. Reflexology sounds a good idea even if just relaxing - may look into it! Am going to a pamper evening tonight and there will be a reflexologist there - may quiz her a bit and see what she thinks.

LOL nationalvelvet! Wow - maybe should have dh on standby just in case!

Just be prepared octopussyintummy(because i too thought at the very least it would be a nice & relaxing!) that reflexology isn't like a relaxing foot massage, i think they have to use a lot of pressure for it to be effective. He also pummelled my calf and shin area and worked around my heal which can be a little uncomfortable - not painful, but not very relaxing!

The moxibustion is uncomfortable too as they burn the wand very close to your foot and it gets REALLY hot! also it gives off lots of smoke even with the extractor fan on.

Don't want to put you off - just want to make sure you're fully prepared, because it was all a bit confusing to me and i wish i'd known what to expect a bit more!

That sounds really painful

I hate to point out, but a baby is not overdue until you are 42 weeks pg .... term pregnancy is 37 - 42 weeks ...

Good luck!

I am NOT going two weeks past my due date - absolutely no way - would rather have elective section! Being late is like being on some chinese torture programme!

octopussyin tummy - it may well be that your body needs that extra time to make sure your baby is ready to come into the world ...

Good luck with everything!

I had it at 42 weeks and it didn't work.

I take it all back! i posted here this morning and said it hadn't worked.

I have just got back from the hospital - my waters broke at 5:30pm. Been monitored and told to come back in when the contractions become more regular!

I had the accupuncture yesterday at 3pm.

congratulations! yippeee

Had accupuncture when four days late. Show appeared 45 minutes after session, then contractions started. WOuld def recommend giving it a go.

I put the start of my labour down to a refleology session. As it works on the same basis as acupuncture (stimulating relevant pressure points) I'm sure acupuncture would also do the trick.

Plus if it does your state of mind good prior to the birth so much the better

Best of luck