When it comes to giving birth, our society has created this picture of pain, fear, and failure. In movies, unresolved birth trauma stories from our mothers, grandmothers, girlfriends, and fear induced tactics are used in the mainstream medicine. When we use Acupuncture for labor induction, we go beyond trying to start contracting the uterus. The process of labor is an elaborate orchestra of hormones dependent upon a sense of safety, support, education on the process, instinct and a trust. Whether the birth is planned to be at home, in a birth-center, free-birth, or in a hospital; it is important to feel seen, heard, supported, and give informed consent on every decision making process leading up to the birth and during.

It is important to start the Labor Preparation at 37 weeks pregnant. Here, we can safely prepare the body for labor with working on the physical, emotional, and mental levels. The benefits of using Acupuncture for labor preparation include: cervical ripening (4,5), shortening the duration of the labor process ( 4, 5) decreasing anxiety and fear, release past womb trauma stored in the pelvis, relax tension in the hips, lower back, and help increase uterine contraction through influence the umbilical artery waveforms (6). Normally, Acupuncture is performed weekly from 37 weeks till 40 weeks; then, twice per week till the labor starts. When we have an expecting mom coming in at 39/40 weeks with irregular contractions and practice contractions; we normally see increase in uterine contractions, more regular surges, more relaxation, and the birth to be smoother and shorter in duration. On average, we may see moms go into labor within 1.5 days after an Acupuncture treatment during the 39 to 41 week gestation week.

“Acupuncture with and without electrical stimulation was used to induce labor in 12 pregnant women. Their periods of gestation ranged from 19 to -13 weeks. This method proved simple and effective, yet painless, in both the early and late stages of pregnancy. The technique could induce and maintain an entire course of labor without complications; the success rate was 83%, and average induction-delivery time was 13.1 hours. Whatever the pattern of uterine contraction, the relation between the force of contraction and the degree of dilation of the cervix differed from that in Oxycontin-induced and spontaneous labor. The possibility of acupuncture stimulation transmitted from a neural origin is suspected. Further studies arc required to demonstrate this particular pattern of uterine contraction and the mechanism of acupuncture stimulation” (1).

Some of the most common Acupuncture points used for Labor Preparation include Spleen 6, 8, Large Intestine 4, Urinary Bladder 67, Gall Bladder 21, and others Acupuncture customized to the needs of the mom. These Acupuncture points have the main treatment action of descending downwards. This helps with the natural flow and contraction of the uterus and opening of the cervix. There are additional points to help lessen lower back pain during labor, relaxing the joints, opening the pelvis, and calming the nervous system down, so the natural physiological biology of labor can start and flow. “Acupuncture at points LI4 and SP 6 supports cervical ripening at term and can shorten the time interval between the EDC and the actual time of delivery” (5). “Our study indicates a positive influence of acupuncture treatment on umbilical artery waveforms when using a combination of SP-6 (Sanyinjiao) and LI-4 (Hegu) acupuncture points (7).

The general treatment flow of Acupuncture Labor Preparation includes a medical intake and questions, assessment of pelvis for tightness, alignment, and positioning of baby (with permission), tongue and pulse assessment, Acupuncture point selection, sometimes using Electroacupuncture on SP 6 and LI4, and Tui Na (Asian Body Work) to help open the channels to open the hips and support the labor. Every expecting mom will get a customized and detailed health plan to support the best possible labor and birth outcome.

Thank you for reading!

We are accepting New Patients, feel free to call 480.690.8933 to schedule your Labor Preparation Consult and Appointment.

Resources:

  1. Tsuei, Julia J. MD, FACOG; LAI, YIU-FUN MD. “Induction of Labor by Acupuncture and Electrical Stimulation”. Obstetrics & Gynecology: March 1974 – Volume 43 – Issue 3 – p 337-342

  2. Chi Eung Danforn Lim, Jenny M. Wilkinson, Wu Shun Felix Wong, and Nga Chong Lisa Cheng.The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.Nov 2009.1209-1214.http://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2009.0100 Published in Volume: 15 Issue 11: November 18, 2009

  3. Smith CA, Crowther CA, Grant SJ. Acupuncture for induction of labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Aug 15;(8):CD002962. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002962.pub3. Update in: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Oct 17;10 :CD002962. PMID: 23945980.

  4. Gaudet LM, Dyzak R, Aung SKH, Smith GN. Effectiveness of acupuncture for the initiation of labour at term: a pilot randomized controlled trial. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2008 Dec;30(12):1118-1123. doi: 10.1016/S1701-2163(16)34021-X. PMID: 19175963.

  5. Rabl M, Ahner R, Bitschnau M, Zeisler H, Husslein P. Acupuncture for cervical ripening and induction of labor at term–a randomized controlled trial. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2001 Dec 17;113(23-24):942-6. PMID: 11802511.

  6. Zeisler H, Eppel W, Husslein P, Bernaschek G, Deutinger J. Influence of acupuncture on Doppler ultrasound in pregnant women. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2001 Mar;17(3):229-32. doi: 10.1046/j.1469-0705.2001.00221.x. PMID: 11309173.