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| Home > Acupressure and pregnancy > Acupressure for inducing labor
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| | Acupressure for inducing labor
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 Scientific evidence proves that natural labor induction with acupressure is safe and effective. Stimulation of specific acupressure points starts labor in up to 93% women within 48 hours, sometimes in 25 minutes. Labor acupressure starts your labor by stimulating contractions, helping your the cervix to dilate and getting your baby to descend. Research shows that labor acupressure significantly shortens the delivery time. Women who use labor acupressure have two hours shorter delivery than in average. There are points labeled "forbidden to use during pregnancy". These are points that can be used to induce labour. Due to this effect they should not be used with any strong pressure during pregnancy. It is possible to practice locating these points prior to labour.
With acupressure, also known as pressure point massage, pressure is applied to specific acupoints. During labor, points on different parts of the body are used to promote relaxation and relieve pain, such as the point ho-ku on the back of the hand between the thumb and index finger. Sometimes acupressure is discussed in childbirth classes. As with other natural methods of pain relief, it`s best to practice accupressure before actual labor begins.
During the third trimester, acupressure can also help to encourage a head down position for the baby so as to ensure a smoother birth. Stimulation of specific acupressure points is also widely used for inducing labor of full time pregnancies, because it triggers womb contractions. These and some other acupressure points can also be used during childbirth in order to encourage womb contractions and thus assist the labor.
Most women need some form of pain alleviation in case of severe pain during labor. Many people, however, don`t want medication during labor for a variety of reasons, and acupressure provides a viable option to pain-relieving drugs. Acupressure can significantly ease the stress and reduce pain of childbirth without causing any side effects of drugs. In many cases, acupressure can at least reduce, if not compensate, the amount of anesthesia used in an epidural procedure, in which medication is administered into the spine. In addition to relieving pain, acupressure has been shown to shorten labor and combat exhaustion by increasing your energy.
Two to three days prior to the due date, bl 32 and this buttock point can be used along with some sacral massage, utilizing strong downwards strokes to and around the buttocks. The aim of this is to help free up the pelvic energy to encourage an optimal labour.
Waters breaking
If your waters have broken and labor is not progressing, you can use bl 32 and sp 6 to help establish labor.
Inducing labour
There are two points on your body that will cause uterine contractions. They are always warned against during pregnancy, though they are widely believed to be another labor inducing method that will not work if you are not already ready to deliver. These points are about four finger-widths above the inner ankle on your calf, and in the webbing between your thumb and forefinger. You will know when you`ve found the spot because it will be very sore. You rub your calf, or pinch the webbing on your hand, in a circular motion for 30-60 second at a time, taking 1-2 minute breaks in between.
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