Acupuncture for labor?

dirtymartini

I apologize if there's a thread for this, I did search, but if I am missing something please point me in the right direction- I'd appreciate it!

Never done acupuncture before but there appears to actually be a decent amount of research supporting the fact that it helps bring on labor.  My due date's today and I am thinking of going in for an appointment... anyone tried this before?  Heard of someone who has? Thoughts? Thank you!

Serenamarr

My step dad is an acupuncturist and has been practicing on pregnant women for over 20 years. It doesn't so much "bring on labor" as it does redirect energy in the body and help your body get everything in order so that labor can occur naturally. It's also great for pain management during labor, some hospitals actually offer it. For me I'll be lucky enough to have him there with me since I'm laboring at home. I've also seen him do amazing things with turning breech and transverse babies as late as the day of delivery.

MJMum524

I am due tomorrow and I just had it done! I'll let you know

dirtymartini

I just got home from an appointment... We'll see!

Sammy K

I did it with my first and had him the next day. My acupuncturist claimed every woman he's worked on went into labor within 24 hours. I was told it can increase oxytocin but I don't really know. It's better than castor oil!

henrytviii

I did it with my first at 41+6. Water had broken and no labor 8 hours later. Labor started 2-3 hours after acupuncture. This time I did at 37+6 knowing I had a large baby, was dilated, and facing some complications that meant he was safer on the outside. Labor started 48 hours later, very slow at first, active labor kicked in after about 36 hours of early labor. No idea if acupuncture worked it was just time but I believe it helps get things started if your body is ready.

nikiaPSU

A friend of mine did it with both of her pregnancies and highly recommends it.

virginiaunicorn11

And friend married to a neo-natal doctor who has ZERO patience for anything natural, did it. They both swear it helped her labor (which was about an hour of uncomfortableness at home and only 25 minutes of pushing at the hospital). She had three sessions. This was her second kid.

Total hearsay, but I found it interesting because of the husband's normal distaste for anything "non-traditional".

klkonwi

I'd like to make an appt for right before my 39 1/7 week induction..... Wondering if it's worth it...... Or will help it move a long faster.

aj1327

I've been getting acupuncture my whole pregnancy. I don't know about labor, but it sure helps me to relax and eases my stress level. I also feel like it helped me get pregnant.

Sammy K

klkonwi said:

I'd like to make an appt for right before my 39 1/7 week induction..... Wondering if it's worth it...... Or will help it move a long faster.

I'm thinking about making an appointment for the night before induction, too. It can't hurt, and if it helps move things along so additional interventions aren't necessary, I think it's worth it.

jesicabrennan

Acupuncture can help but only if you've been getting it regularly. It's unlikely to help if it's just one spot to specifically bring on labor.

jesicabrennan

That's one appt not spot!

klkonwi

^^^^ I see! Good to know.
I don't want to spend the money at this point. I'm cheap!

SRQGirl64

I went for my 2nd appt last night. After the first time last week, I felt crampy. The following morning the baby had dropped and my stomach changed shape from a basket ball to more of an egg shape. So something definitely worked! Nothing from last night's appt yet. I'm 40w 3d and over it!

iamthewalrus2

Got acupuncture for the first time this afternoon to help bring on labor. I'm 40+1 and barely dilated or effaced at all. Nothing so far...

SRQGirl64

SRQGirl64 said:

I went for my 2nd appt last night. After the first time last week, I felt crampy. The following morning the baby had dropped and my stomach changed shape from a basket ball to more of an egg shape. So something definitely worked! Nothing from last night's appt yet. I'm 40w 3d and over it!

Just to follow up- the day after my second treatment my water broke and baby girl came six hours later! I only had to push for twelve minutes!

iamthewalrus2

SRQGirl64 said:

SRQGirl64 said:

I went for my 2nd appt last night. After the first time last week, I felt crampy. The following morning the baby had dropped and my stomach changed shape from a basket ball to more of an egg shape. So something definitely worked! Nothing from last night's appt yet. I'm 40w 3d and over it!

Just to follow up- the day after my second treatment my water broke and baby girl came six hours later! I only had to push for twelve minutes!

Good to hear! I think I will go for a second treatment tomorrow. Hoping it can help bring on labor naturally before my scheduled induction Thurs night.

iamthewalrus2

Update: 2 acupuncture sessions this week and no results