Sometimes we are asked whether acupuncture can be used to induce labour. There are treatments that we can do for this that encourage the uterus to start to contract and the cervix to ripen and open. We also include relaxation points as often women under the threat of induction are managing high anxiety levels and may be feeling frightened. However, our preference is to offer women ‘pre-birth’ labour from 37-38 weeks. This is usually 3 acupuncture sessions that occur weekly until due date. This style of treatment is designed to encourage your body to work naturally and the research carried out by the midwife and acupuncturist who developed the protocol suggests that women who have this treatment are much less likely to face medical induction, use far fewer interventions during labour and spend a slightly shorter amount of time in the first stage of labour. It is designed to work with your body and your baby and is a far gentler approach than acupuncture or medical induction.
Many of the women we see have been told that they may be induced as they are ‘higher risk’. This is usually due to the fact that they are over 40 or that the conception was through IVF. There is no reason why an IVF baby is any more at risk than a naturally conceived baby. For first time mothers, facing fear and anxiety about labour and motherhood, it is difficult to question some of the advice they may be receiving from their midwife or consultant. There is an informative article here, written by Sara Wickham, an experienced midwife, exploring the issues of induction.