Labour preparation & how acupuncture may help

Your due date is fast approaching (or has already passed), you’ve been bouncing on your yoga ball, walking the uneven curbs, eating ALL of the hot curries, trying every old wives’ tale under the sun to expedite the time between now and holding your baby in your arms.

Someone has eventually said: “You should give acupuncture a go!” and here you are. Wondering how this ancient medicine can help you bring your new love earthside.

An acupuncture treatment is much more than aiming to bring about contractions. Labour preparation treatments are typically divided into two stages during your pregnancy: Stage 1, before your due date, and Stage 2, after your due date. For my patients that see me throughout their pregnancy (or for those that are new to my treatments), we begin ‘labour preparation’ focussed treatments from 36 weeks. These treatments are designed to facilitate tendon and muscle relaxation, softening of the cervix, calming the mind/nervous system, whilst continuing to address any issues that are specific to your pregnancy, such as back pain, pelvic pain, constipation, indigestion etc. Though the treatments throughout your pregnancy are helping support your pregnancy and, therefore, inevitably preparing you for labour, the treatments take a slight shift from 36 weeks as we get closer to your due date.

After your due date, or with the date of a medical induction in the coming days, your treatments will have a slight increased intensity to help encourage the smooth arrival of your baby. I will encourage you to come in for at least a few treatments within a couple of days, or as frequently as you can manage prior to your induction date. These treatments may also include the use of electroacupuncture on specific acupuncture points on your back, which has been shown to encourage cervical softening and ripening (1).

What can I expect during my treatments? Above all else, your comfort and relaxation are my top priority. During your treatment I’ll explain which areas of the body I will be treating, and spend time getting you laying as comfortably as possible. The use of electroacupuncture may or may not be indicated, which has a gentle sensation similar to that of a TENS machine. With the focus of our treatments being preparing you for labour, a major component of this is encouraging your mind and body to relax. Stress can increase tightness in the body, and tension is not ideal for labour. After your treatment I will apply press tacks (take home acupuncture pins) on specific acupressure points to encourage labour, and to be used for pain relief during labour. I highly recommend downloading the PDF version of Debra Betts’ guides ‘Acupressure for Pain relief in Labour’ and ‘Birth Preparation using Acupressure’ which are available for free on her website. I am happy to run you through these points and the correct application of these at your next appointment. Acupressure guide for pain relief during labour and for labour preparation: https://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/acupressure/

Sign me up! When can I come for a treatment? As mentioned above, acupuncture is indicated during any stage of your pregnancy to help address any symptoms that may arise along the way. For labour preparation treatments specifically, I recommend at least weekly acupuncture from 36 weeks. Your treatments can be made to schedule alongside your midwife or OB appointments, in order to have your entire birth team on your side with your birth plan in mind.

What else can I do for labour preparation?

Drinking red raspberry leaf tea in your last trimester (or from 32 weeks) is claimed to strengthen and tone the uterus, theoretically assisting contractions during labour (2). The use of raspberry leaf tea postpartum is also claimed to assist with supporting the recovery of the pelvic floor and uterus, as well as supporting milk supply. Though many women swear by the use of raspberry leaf tea to induce labour, unfortunately, limited research is currently available to support these claims.

Similarly, clary sage essential oil is believed to be a natural uterotonic, meaning it assists with contractions of the uterus. Clary sage essential oil can be used to promote uterine contractions during labour, as well as calming the nervous system. It can be applied to acupressure points from 37 weeks gestation, or by diffusing in your birth space. A small study discovered changes in salivary oxytocin in pregnancy women after inhalation of clary sage, though further research is required to support these claims (3).

TENS Machine use during labour

A TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) machine is a form of pain relief that can be effective during early labour. The TENS machine sends mild electrical impulses (similar to those used during electroacupuncture) to sticky pads on the lower back. The TENS is thought to stimulate the nerves that run to the spinal cord and block the transmission of pain. Some women find it helpful to use at the start of labour, particularly for back ache. Bliss Birth provides TENS machines for hire, making it an affordable option compared to buying your own unit: https://blissbirth.com.au/products/labour-tens-machine-hire

Want to work with me? You can find me in Greenslopes, QLD @ Womb to World and Everton Hills, QLD @ Pack Health. Book via the ‘Book Now’ tab on my website. I look forward to meeting you!

(Gribel, Coca-Velrde, & de Sa, 2011) (1).

(Bowman, Taylor, Muggleton, & Davis, 2021) (2)

(Tadokoro, et al., 2017) (3)