May 26th, 2011
Women often book acupuncture appointments to address their eagerness to go into labour. In some cases, they are past their due dates. It may also be that their water has broken and contractions havn’t started.
I always explain that an “acupuncture induction treatment” is an invitation to the body to go into labour, but can not force something that is not meant to happen.
In Chinese Medicine, the two common reasons that labour can be delayed are
1) the woman is exhausted
2) the woman is stressed or anxious
Acupuncture treatment encourages labour (by stimulating points that direct energy downward and opening energy). Treatment also address the physical and mental emotional state of the woman at that moment – inviting her to feel both relaxed and energized.
I was pleased to receive an email from a patient a couple days ago. This woman came to see me last week pregnant with her 3rd child. Her first two children were born at home with midwives. She was disappointed that her water broke at 38 weeks with no sign of contractions and hoped to avoid a hospital induction. She came to see me at 11am. Her labour started at 2pm that same day and her baby was born at 5pm! She was thrilled.
November 5th, 2010
The following emails between myself and a patient illustrate how acupuncture supports positive pregnancy and labour outcomes. She has given me permission to publish these emails, though I do not include her name to respect her privacy.
Hi Dawn,
I got your info from (a friend) who used your services recently. I am pregnant, due on Oct 18, and have just found out the baby is in a posterior position. I am very uncomfortable now and would like to do whatever I can to turn the baby around. I am also trying for a vbac this time as I had to be induced my last pregnancy because I was 10 days late. I need to go into labor naturally this time around and would also like help with this if possible? Please let me know if you think you could help me and how soon I could make an appointment with you.
From: Dawn Aarons
Sent: Oct 4, 2010 10:22 PM
Thanks for your enquiry. Of course there are no guarantees, but I do think acupuncture can help you and that it is definitely worth trying. I would recommend 2 treatments a week until the baby turns and you feel more comfortable or go into labour (whatever comes first). I have lots of experience with labour preparation and encouraging labour. Most people come to my office (near Bloor/Bathurst). I also offer housecalls. ($90 in office and $135 outcalls). Most extended healthcare plans cover acupuncture. It would be best to start asap. I have 2:30pm tomorrow open. 4:30pm on wed, 9am thurs, and 3 or 4pm on Friday. Do 1 or 2 of those times work?
I hope to meet you soon.
Best,
Dawn
Hi Dawn,
I just came from my dr appt and wanted to let you know that the baby has flipped around! It is now very low and in the right position. Just wanted to let you know as I think the acupuncture was a big help with that.
I’ll see you on Friday unless the baby comes before then!
Thanks again!
—–Original Message—–
From: Dawn Aarons
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:21:36
What great news. Congratulations.
Dawn
Hi Dawn,
Just wanted to let you know that I had the baby last night 7lbs, 13oz. Everything went really well and fast and I only had to push for 11 mins! Am happy that the vbac was successful and looks like we’ll be going home tomorrow. Thanks again for everything!
July 28th, 2010
Jen L. sent this photo to me with the message, “Use this to promote your “happy baby” pressure point if you like!” Jen received acupuncture in pregnancy, including the happy baby point. She is not the only happy mother who has said to me, “the point must have worked”. Of course, there are multiple conditions that come together to make a baby happy – I don’t think the point is the magic – but it seems to help (and sure doesn’t hurt). Ask your acupuncturist about the Happy Baby Point (Kidney 9). Chinese medicine classics promise that if you needle the happy baby point in pregnancy, the woman will have a happy baby that sleeps through the night.
