Acupuncture during pregnancy

[PeggyL]

Hi all, has anyone tried acupuncture as a natural way to be induced, instead of having it done at the hospital? I've been having acupuncture for years and really rate it, in my first pregnancy, I also had a couple of treatments after 37 weeks for 'softening the cervix' which got me to 10cm really quickly and without any pain relief, son was born at 38 weeks and 6 days. I'm concerned about going overdue this time and would rather not have any medical intervention, has anyone got any opinion of being induced with acupuncture? Thanks

Hi there, with my last pregnancy I had the pre-labour treatments like you and also had a very quick labour and home birth. I did also try the acupuncture induction but it didn't kick start it for me. In the end he came on his own 16 days late! I think its always worth a try though. Good luck.

As an acupuncturist I consider it perfectly possible to help with the arrival of your baby. However it is very difficult to say if it has worked as you should go into labour anyway.

I personly would not do a treatment an till your due date. I would expect/consider the effects of the treatment to last about 36/48 hour hence one would leave a gap before repeating treatment.

A treatment should take about one hour(needles in).
It is considered safe and there are little in the way of side effects.
Go to a qualified Acupuncturist :- British acupuncture council member

Good luck with your choice
Andrew