Acupuncture in Labour Induction
Can Acupuncture Help With Labour Induction?
Yes! At Twelvem Acupuncture, we are able to help many women seeking to avoid medical intervention and who prefer to use a more natural and drug free alternative to induce their labour. It is important to understand that acupuncture can be very effective, however, if your baby is not ready to come out, or your body is not ready yet, your labour may not progress.
Why Should I Induce My Labour Using Acupuncture?
In many cases, interventions with synthetic oxytocin are required to induce labour, however, it may have potential adverse effects on the mother and the fetus, such as uterine tachysystole and impairment of fetal heart rates.
According to studies*, although necessary in some cases, the use of synthetic oxytocin may be harmful to the mother and baby: “The results of this study show that the use of oxytocin in labour stimulation can be detrimental to both the mother and the newborn since they indicate that the use of oxytocin is associated with increased cesarean section rates, use of epidural analgesia and maternal intrapartum fever, both in primiparous and multiparous.”
On the other hand, acupuncture stimulates the body naturally and safely, supporting the natural progression of labour by encouraging the natural release of hormones. Acupuncture may also relax tight muscles of the back, hip, and pelvic area, calm the nervous system, and improve blood circulation.
At Twelvem Acupuncture in Ottawa, we use gentle needling techniques that rarely create any pain or discomfort.
How Many Acupuncture Sessions Do I Need?
If you know you have a breech baby, it is best to start your weekly treatment early around week 34, and not to wait untill past week 36.
From 36 weeks onwards, weekly sessions will help you to calm your mind and prepare your body to manage stress, reduce back pain, and improve blood flow, digestion and sleep.
After your doctor or midwife authorizes it, around week 40, the sessions are daily, if possible, or at least every 2-3 days.
But remember: your doctor and midwife must be aware of your treatment with us, as they are your primary carers during pregnancy.
*Hidalgo-Lopezosa, Pedro et al. “Labor stimulation with oxytocin: effects on obstetrical and neonatal outcomes.”Revista latino-americana de enfermagem vol. 24 (2016): e2744. doi:10.1590/1518-8345.0765.2744