acupuncture to induce labor?

rs_bride

My son's birth was an incredibly traumatic c-section and I'm hoping against all hope for a vbac this time around. But perhaps even more than the vbac, I want to go into labor on my own (this would be necessary for a VBAC too--my OB would only use a tiny amount of pitocin, if I'm already very favorable)! My OB will let me go to 41+ 2 or 3 days, max. I was induced at 41+2 last time and did not progress. That was after weeks of daily sex, many mile-long walks every day, EPO orally and vaginally, RRLT, etc. The only thing I didn't try was castor oil and I'm not sure I'd do that this time either. Maybe though.

So I've been looking into acupuncture this time around. I just talked to a practitioner. He seemed reasonable and the price wasn't outrageous. The process sort of gives me the heebie jeebies though. He'd start at 38 or 39 weeks, depending on how I'm progressing and also show DH some acupressure points to use both to induce labor and for pain relief during labor.

Any success stories to share? I know I've got a while to think about it. I'm a thinker though and want to have all my options on the table.

Another question--someone told me recently that she thinks a massage put her into labor right before her due date. I can't find any supporting evidence for this, but a weekly massage certainly sounds better to me than acupuncture! Any corroborating evidence to share?

nosoup4u

I had three days of acupuncture with my VBAC baby, and I started labor the night after the third session. But! I was 41+ weeks pregnant at that point, so I was pretty likely to go into labor anyway.

The best thing for acupuncture is to do it multiple times, which it sounds like you're planning. It's pretty low-intervention, so I'd definitely go for it!

Why do you have to go into labor by 41w 2-3d? If your provider is willing to go past 41 weeks, why not all the way to 42? 

cchill01

I had two sessions of induction accupuncture.  Unfortunately, they did not put me into labor or help me dilate.  But, I will say it was totally amazing.  She was able to generate some contractions and she could move the baby by moving the needles in my legs and back.

The time to relax and mentally prepare was very much needed.  I like to think that all the preparations helped me be in the right place to accept the pain of birth and open up.  Instead of fighting the contractions like I did with DD#1.

And don't worry about the needles.  The only one that actually hurt was the one in my hand (the one I had broken years ago).  Most of them I couldn't even feel. 

cchill01

Oh, and I would go for the castor oil as well.  Honestly, it was kind of nice to go into my induction all cleaned out from my last ditch castor oil attempt the day prior.  Mixed with a yogurt smoothie, I could barely taste it. 

Twizzle

I had 2 massages and 4 acu treatments to try and induce labor, but unfortunately none of it worked for me.  However, I am a big fan of acupuncture in general.  I did it a lot when TTC and in first tri and I really think it helped with getting/staying pregnant.  It's very relaxing.

What did work for me was Foley bulb induction. 

babyike

nosoup4u:

I had three days of acupuncture with my VBAC baby, and I started labor the night after the third session. But! I was 41+ weeks pregnant at that point, so I was pretty likely to go into labor anyway.

The best thing for acupuncture is to do it multiple times, which it sounds like you're planning. It's pretty low-intervention, so I'd definitely go for it!

Why do you have to go into labor by 41w 2-3d? If your provider is willing to go past 41 weeks, why not all the way to 42? 

All of this  And my acupuncture timing/frequency was similar to cchill's (as I had 3 treatments a couple of days apart between 40-41 weeks.  Labor started the day after my 3rd session and membrane sweep (41w1d).  

As for the massage, ask your massage therapist to add reflexology to your sessions as you near your EDD or when your body is feeling like it's on the "brink" of labor starting (like prodromal or very early labor).  That may be what your friend received...  It's mostly hitting specific acupressure points that help to stimulate the uterus.  You can even find info online about the different acupressure points and do them to yourself to try and help start labor!  HTH and GL!