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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Acupuncture to 'get things going'?

20 replies

Lalalax3 · 29/08/2014 22:04

Has anybody had any experience of acupuncture in the last few weeks of pregnancy to get things started down there? I'm v skeptical about 'natural' medicine generally, and think homeopathy is nonsense, but I've heard really positive things about acupuncture, and a few friends have sworn that it got their labours going.

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Showy · 29/08/2014 22:06

It doesn't work. Only chemical induction works and not even all the time.

Twittwooo · 29/08/2014 23:51

I think some people are more receptive to acupuncture than others. I had acupuncture when I was 2 weeks overdue and went into labour 4 hours later. I have since had acupuncture from the same practitioner for a different thing and it also worked really quickly. So, for me, I think it worked but as I was so overdue anyway it's hard to know if it was the acupuncture or whether I would have gone into labour then anyway. I'd say it's worth a try (and I found it really relaxing!).

SuperMumTum · 30/08/2014 06:23

I had a horrible reaction to it and wouldn't do it again - sweats, shaking, lightheaded - but I have a friend who swears by it and started having contractions in the car on the way home from the appointment.

Glastokitty · 30/08/2014 06:43

It didn't work for me. But then I virtually needed dynamite to get my son out.

LIG1979 · 30/08/2014 07:42

I had it at 10 am and was calling the hospital by 1pm - dd was born at 9.30pm. I was 38 weeks and thought dd was showing no signs of wanting to come out so thought it would be fine to start on the points that could trigger labour.

It could have been a coincidence though. (only got one experience to base it on.)

mckenzie · 30/08/2014 07:48

I'm with LiG. I was 7 days over due, had acupuncture on Tuesday afternoon, did a spinning class on Wednesday morning, DD was born Wednesday evening.
Obviously I'll never know whether the acupuncture did the job but I found it a nice relaxing experience anyway.
Hope it all goes well for you mrsgembles.

Showy · 30/08/2014 08:17

In no research has it ever been shown to work.

Of course, coincidentally, some people will have acupuncture and then a baby (hours later, days later) and will claim the two are causally linked. But remember for every woman claiming it worked, there are hundreds for whom it didn't and all actual evidence shows no link at all.

If I say "I ate 9 Jaffa cakes and went into labour that night at full term", would you think it was the Jaffa cakes or a natural conclusion to a full term pregnancy?

Missus2ndwife · 30/08/2014 08:27

Clearly this is a very personal opinion. I have had acupuncture in the past to help with sciatica and it definitely worked. I am now having acupuncture to help with SPD and again, I do feel it is helping me be more mobile. Saying that, it doesn't work for everyone.

I will be trying acupuncture to bring on labour vs being induced. What's the worst that can happen?

nc060 · 30/08/2014 09:52

I haven't tried it for labour although due today so may well yet) however have used it for other issues in the past and found it amazing! Make sure whoever you use is qualified though as anyone can set up with ni qualifications(my aunt does acupuncture alongside her work as a physio) and was shocked wheb she was doing the course to hear you do not need to be qualified to set up shop!

ohthegoats · 30/08/2014 17:56

I've used it for other things and had some success (hayfever mostly). I'm 36 weeks now, I'm starting the reflexology and acupuncture next week. Nothing to lose apart from the cost... and some of that is counteracted by both being a nice relaxing experience.

Original poster

Lalalax3 · 30/08/2014 18:05

My waters broke at 11 this morning. Could be coincidence, of course...

OP posts:

redexpat · 30/08/2014 20:10

Showy ive heard that acupuncture is the only alternative therapy that is proven to work? Obviously not in all cases, but neither does conventional medicin.

mckenzie · 30/08/2014 22:26

Are you still on line MrsG or are you otherwise engaged?

fishfingerSarnies · 30/08/2014 22:33

I'd recommend it I had two sessions and came away with good strong contractions if my dd was going to come out naturally at all I'm convinced the acupuncture would have done it.
Though they do recommend you do it throughout your pregnancy for best results.

TongueBiter · 30/08/2014 22:35

I'm surprised at anyone having acupuncture to start labour at 38 weeks! Or any professional doing it

pinkfizzsparkles · 30/08/2014 23:36

You're considered term at 37 weeks. I am booked in to have acupuncture at 38 weeks too. Some midwifes will do sweeps from 38 weeks.

pinkfizzsparkles · 30/08/2014 23:44

fishfinger how were your 2 sessions spaced out? We're they the day after each other?

ohthegoats · 30/08/2014 23:52

Medical bods induce on some seemingly arbitrary reasons at 37 or 38 weeks, don't see any harm in having a go myself!

Missus2ndwife · 31/08/2014 10:56

My consultant told me she induces from 37 weeks for us (me) older mums.
My acupuncture will be changing focus from then on

squizita · 31/08/2014 11:34

I'm older and high risk. Had a bit of a 'maybe induce' scare (fundal height appeared to have severely shrunk but it was naughty baby scrunching up her legs) but then it was reprieved completely to 'let's do a sweep at 40 weeks'.
I guess it depends on how cautious the consultant is.
Mine is of the opinion if movement reduced or I was in pain I'd be in like a shot with my hospital bag (she is right) so she felt I could just plod along another fortnight.

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