How to choose an acupuncturist?

[misscreosote]

Not sure whether I should post this here, in 'pregnancy' or 'health', but hopefully one of you lovely ladies might have an idea...

I'm 31 weeks, and want to try acupuncture to get labour started (went to 42 weeks and had to be induced last time, and am desperate to go into labour naturally this time so I can hopefully have my nice normal home VBAC). My midwife reckons its most successful if you have a few weeks of acupouncture before the due date, rather than just having a session at 40 weeks or whatever, so I want to book something up quite soon.

But how do I find a decent acupuncturist? I've got 3 choices:

• a lady my midwife has worked with before, about 30 mins drive away, but she doesn't seem to have the same qualifications as the ones below (but is a member of the Accupuncture Council)
• a local firm, so no travel, seems to have a degree in accupuncture
• another lady I found on the internet, who is about 20 mins away, and has done a certificate in obstetric acupuncture on top of degree etc, so seems pretty well qualified

So I'm not sure how important 'qualifications' are over recommendation, or if there is anything else I should be looking for. If anyone has any experience, would be much appreciated....
Thanks

Slightly different, but I'm also an alternative therapist (homeopath & hypnotherapist) and I'm not sure that being a member of the BAC would sway me. After a bit I have chosen not to renew my membership with my professional bodies. I'm perfectly entitled to join (and as I mentioned used to be a member), but it costs £400 per year and I really don't get much for that (insurance seperately costs much, much less) - hence I guess, that the acupuncturists you have come across could be in the same situ. I don't think qualifications alone necessarily make for a good practitioner and vice versa.

I think extra obstetric training counts for a lot, most complementary therapists have surprisingly little deep obstetric knowledge. So from your post I would go with either 1) the one the midwife recommends or 2) the lady with the extra obstetric training.

Other things that are similar that could help:

reflexology (look for someone who has done extra training especially the "suzanne enzer" maternity training).
hypnotherapy (look for someone who is also a HypnoBirthing practitioner - see www.hypnobirthing.co.uk for someone near you).

Also, read up on "due dates" (and how meaningless and inaccurate they are!) google "Mittendorf" and "gestation" and read up on the NICE guidelines for induction which say that if you refuse an induction (your decision should be supported) then you should instead be offered scans and CTG traces to ensure your baby's wellbeing. Remember an induction is an offer and not one you have to accept! there is probably a very good reason why your labour hasn't started (baby not ready = your body not ready) and so any way of starting labour (no matter how natural!) is forcing a process that isn't ready to start and that may not result in a good outcome!

HTH!

Thanks for that - I was erring towards the one with the extra obstetric training, so good to get your view... will give her a ring later I think.

Will also consider reflexology, good idea. Tried the hypnobirthing last time, and it all went out of the window as soon as the induction pain started, so not sure I'm in the right mindset to try it again!

Don't worry (but thanks for worrying!) - I have read more than I could possibly want to read about due dates and induction, both last time round and this time. Last time I was a bit bullied into it really, but DD was quite small and skinny for 42 weeks and wasn't moving much so was probably the right call - although it did all end in a crash C section and NICU (but both of us fine after a couple of weeks), so I'll never know if it was really the right thing to do. They did give me a scan after much arguing, but then there's not much you can do if they still recommend induction even after the scan's been done (whether they are doing it to fit their procedures or genuinely think that baby isn't doing too well - you can only go by their recommendation unfortunately). This time round I've got an independent midwife to fight my corner, so am much less stressed about having to put up a fight, and I'm never going to be induced again in any case!

Good luck!! don't write the HypnoBirthing off this time, inductions are a completely different kettle of fish to natural labour and just because it "all went out the window" with your induction doesn't mean it won't help you achieve a beautiful natural birth with normal levels of natural hormones!

Yup, another good point, cheers. If nothing else, the CDs got me off to a nice afternoon snooze each time I listened to them last time