How acupuncture can help to improve your experience of childbirth
Usually the first a pregnant
woman hears about acupuncture is when she has reached her due date and nothing
has happened. Her midwife or obstetrician may then suggest she try acupuncture
to help kick start a natural labour. And unfortunately this is the first time an
acupuncturist may see the patient.
Unfortunate because treatment
with acupuncture before your due date can help prepare you for labour in a number of different ways.
Acupuncture can assist the cervix to ripen, help coax the baby into the best
possible position for birth, and relax the muscles and tendons. It can also be
quite a relaxing treatment at a time when the mother-to-be may be feeling
anxious about the upcoming birth.
This is why a treatment to merely
bring on contractions may achieve just this, but earlier treatment and
preparation can make labour a much more positive experience, and one in which
the need for medical intervention may be reduced.
A study published in
The American Journal of Acupuncture in 1974 by Kubista and Kucera concluded that acupuncture once a week from
37 weeks gestation was successful in reducing the average
time a woman spends in labour (Kubista
E Kucera H. Geburtshilfe Perinatol 1974; 178 224-9).
A randomised controlled
trial in 2001 by Rabl and team involved 45 women and studied the effect of
acupuncture on cervical ripening in the hope of reducing inductions (Rabl M, Ahner R, Bitschnau M, Zeisler H, Husslein
P. Acupuncture for cervical ripening and induction of labour at term – a
randomised controlled trail. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2001; 113 (23-24):
942-6).
The authors concluded that
acupuncture helped to ripen the cervix and shortened the time between the due
date and the actual delivery date, thereby decreasing the need for a medical induction.
Who can benefit from pre-labour acupuncture?
Really any woman about to give birth. Studies have shown that
pre-labour acupuncture can help to shorten labour time and increase the
strength of contractions, so even if the induction is not successful, a woman’s
labour can still benefit enormously. And if you have previously had a caesarian but are planning on a natural birth this time round, you too can benefit from treatment with
How quickly can the induction work?
This is difficult to answer because
while some women need only one session, others might need two to four
treatments, and there are a small minority for whom induction is not successful
at all.
When should I begin acupuncture treatments and how often should I
go?
Anywhere from 35 to 37 weeks is
the best time to begin acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture can help to loosen
the ligaments and tendons around your pelvis, move the baby into position, and
ensure you are strong, healthy, relaxed and ready for labour and delivery. For
many women this may be all it takes for them to slip naturally into labour and have
a positive birth experience as a result. If you are already past your due date, it is
not too late, as acupuncture can still be of benefit to help induce a
natural labour.
What can I expect at an acupuncture session?
A typical acupuncture session
involves taking a case history, taking the pulse and looking at the tongue.
Points may be used on the wrists, hands, legs, as well as the head or face, and
are usually left in for about 20 minutes. The treatments can be very relaxing, and your belly is supported with
pillows as you lie on your side.
Can Acupuncture Help Me After The Birth Of My Baby And If So, How?
Yes. There are so many ways
acupuncture can assist with recovery after the birth of your baby. It can help to bring on or to improve low milk supply, assist with mastitis, scar healing (for
caesarean births), haemorrhoids, and exhaustion.
Useful websites:
http://bellybelly.com.au
has information about the different stages of pregnancy and why acupuncture can
be helpful during pregnancy.
http://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz
has information about the use of acupuncture in pregnancy and labour, with
reference to a number of research articles.
www.bubhub.com.au/info/articles/pregnancy/acupuncture_during_pregnancy.shtml
has information about the benefits of acupuncture during pregnancy.
Michelle Bryceland is a qualified
Acupuncturist and Naturopath, is registered with the Australian Health
Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and practices at Chi Temple Chinese
Medicine - www.chitemple.com.au.
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