Pedicures and pressure points can start labor, fact or fiction?

JujuB22 · February 2014

I want to get a pedicure and foot massage, but have been told by a couple of people that it can cause labor, due to some pressure points in the ankle area. My doc gave me a list of things to avoid, and pedicure was not on the list. Also mixed results on Google. Has anyone had any type of medical expert tell them to not get pedicures? I'm thinking they are safe, but just double checking with some real life people.

TheMrs820 · February 2014

I have heard of this too. I am getting one tonight & figured I would just tell her to be light on the massage.

babygabe614 · February 2014

I plan on getting one in a couple weeks because I'm starting a weekly yoga class and my feet are looking gnarly, lol. Where I go, they have never been too heavy handed with the massage to begin with, so I'm not too worried about it.

ElTrain5 · February 2014

I feel like the whole "pedicures=labor" thing may have more to do with the fact that a lot of women get pedicures/manicures in anticipation of labor & delivery, so it might be more of a casual causation thing. But that's a 100% guess. If this was true though, wouldn't that put every pregnant lady who's ever had a foot massage in danger? Doesn't sound legit to me.

lizok22 · February 2014

There are pressure point on the foot. My acupuncturist avoids them but a pedicure should be fine.

jshrop · February 2014

I had a pedicure over the weekend and baby is still nestled in place. According to my masseuse the risk of spontaneous labor from pressure points is highest in the first trimester (they won't even see you until 2nd tri here). Anyway, tell them easy on the foot rub maybe?

diagonalley · February 2014

I had a pedicure yesterday (even splurged for a more fancy one) and no contractions. I think you'll be fine

SarahS11 · February 2014

I've heard that it's the back of your ankle that can start contractions if rubbed the correct way. I've had a pedicure and a massage and have been fine. I did tell both of them that I was pregnant when booking the appointment, and they both seemed to avoid rubbing that area.

tbmadeamistake · February 2014

I think is a lot like any of the ABC causes labor old wives tales...your body will not go into labor until it's ready. Also, a pressure point has to be really pressed on to activate anything, there aren't many that a light touch will do much. I had a couple when I was pregnant with C and nothing did anything. I wouldn't worry

momof5sept18 · February 2014

My sister is a massage therapist and told me about this when pregnant with my first. She said pedicures are safe because they don't usually rub the pressure point the way it takes to cause labor, so I wouldn't worry about it and enjoy your pedicure! It takes a lot of pressure and consistent rubbing on the pressure point to cause labor.

ElTrain5 · February 2014

Can we please remember to re-hash this idea in a few months when everyone is dying to jumpstart things?

TheMrs820 · February 2014

I second ElTrain5....let's definitely keep this one on the back burner.

ChristineBaker23 · February 2014

I had pedicures at LEAST once a month with my first once I couldn't reach my toesies any longer. It was awesome and I never experienced so much as a Braxton hicks during the massage. It's an old wives tale created by anxious mommies trying to jump start labor. Go put up those tired feet and get pampered. Btw, don't wear a dress or a skirt, you are more than likely sitting with your knees apart by now and they will see all your business. My poor little manicurist went all tittering around in Korean and covered my lap with a couple towels when I made that mistake haha.

elsa1688 · February 2014

My midwifes thoughts on this : nothing will "jump start" labor unless your body is ready. She is a huge advocate of massage and self care.

hjl050308 · February 2014

Strictly by coincidence on the day I started having contractions with my second son, I had a pedicure that day. I totally knew it was an old wives tale but after I had him one of the recovery room nurses asked if I knew why he was born almost 7 weeks early. I said I didn't know and that I was enjoying a mani/pedi when the contractions started. In horror she says you're not supposed to get pedicures and that was why I had him early. Mind you I had pedicures every two weeks with him.

TheMrs820 · February 2014

I am getting one right now!!!

Kinipela7 · February 2014

I think it would be very unlikely. I get pedicures once a month and don't plan to stop! When I went last, the guy who was doing my pedicure said something about it, something along the lines of "don't want to start labor or anything" and laughed about it. Not really sure what he said as I can't really understand him.