If you are post-term, acupuncture can be effective at promoting the onset of spontaneous labour.
Acupuncture points are used to help descend the baby into the pelvic area, to aid cervical dilation and to stimulate uterine contractions. Treatments can help prepare women emotionally, mentally and physically for the birth and stimulate the hormones needed to initiate labour. They can also calm fears and anxieties that can overwhelm women when they go past their ‘due dates’.
Additionally, acupuncture can be used for promoting optimum fetal positioning within the pelvis. It can also support energy levels and promote strength and confidence to ‘tip’ the body into birthing .
During your treatment, you, and, if possible, your birth partner can be taught how to use acupressure on the points which are used for encouraging the onset of labour. These acupressure points can be practiced at home and even (change to also) during birthing. This will help you build on the movement of the treatment, further encouraging your body to go spontaneously into labour.
Acupuncture used for encouraging the onset of labour is a natural treatment; it works with your body’s natural preparations for birth by encouraging your body to work optimally.
It can be helpful to have more than one session of acupuncture over successive days to encourage the onset of labour.
Acupuncturists are bound by their professional standards and code of ethics and cannot provide this treatment until a woman is at term i.e. on or past her due date.
If possible, please bring your midwifery notes with you to your acupuncture session.
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