July 2014

Acupuncture: Pregnancy Labour Induction

by Patricia Kowal, MAOM, Licensed Acupuncturist in Noosa

Ideallly acupuncture treatments commence as a pre-birth treatment and may be started from 36 weeks. If you are getting close to your 40 week due date then you may be switched to a labour induction treatment. If there is a medical condition or concern that presents potential harm or danger to you or your baby, acupuncture may be initiated earlier than your due date (as advised by your medical doctor).

Chinese medicine and labour induction

Certain acupuncture points are used that are known in classical Chinese medicine texts to gently stimulate movement in your body and in the activity of the baby. In general it's helpful to prepare your body for labour: relax muscle groups, ease tension that comes with an overdue pregnancy, calm the mind regarding the fears and stressors associated with the birthing process.

The number of treatments required to induce labour with acupuncture depends on your body and how far passed your due date you are.

Each woman is different, and every woman has had a different set of circumstances and medical situations during their pregnancy. It is possible for a labour to begin from six to twenty four hours after your acupuncture treatment. Four or five acupuncture points (depending on your body) are inserted and gentle pulsing of electric stimulation is used. You will lay down for approximately fifteen or twenty minutes with the needles in place.

Before having your baby, give yourself the chance to calm your mind and address your muscle tension. It is common to feel stress and fear as you approach your due date. Being overdue in your pregnancy may cause stress related symptoms such as: muscle tension, emotional worry and over thinking and fear. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, tension and stress can cause our circulation to constrict and not move as freely as it wants to. Helping to calm your mind and body may help to prepare you for the birthing process and help with addressing your anxiety or other fears that are commonly related to giving birth.

Chinese medicine uses diagnostic processes like pulse taking and symptom differentiation in order to ascertain what is the proper treatment for you. There is no physical manipulation of your belly or other part of your body. I encourage you to speak with your midwife and/or medical doctor about this option.

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Patricia Kowal is an AHPRA Licensed Acupuncturist, Chinese Herbal Practitioner in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast.

Disclaimer: please follow up with your practitioner if you are unsure or are having questions about the information contained in this material.

Reference:

Lyttleton, Jane, Treatment of Infertility with Chinese Medicine

Betts, Debra, "Inducing Labour with Acupuncture - Critical Considerations", Journal of Chinese Medicine, June 2009

Photo credits:

Photo top: Torsten Mangner via photopin cc

Photo bottom: Charlie Davidson via photopin cc