Acupuncture and Pregnancy

Newborn baby Viviane

It was a honour to assist Viviane’s mother at her birth. Her mom especially liked the pain relieving support from auricular acupuncture (pressure on the “shenmen” spot on her ear during contractions). Acupuncture is used to support women in labour, for progress, to help turn babies and for pain relief. For more information, contact Dawn or your local acupuncturist.

Labour Support with Auricular Acupuncture

“Thank you for your listening ear” a patient just said as she was leaving her appointment. So often, a great part of the therapeutic work I do involves listening.
And then there is the LABOURING EAR. The most effective point I have found in my practice for labour support and pain relief is on the ear. Known as auricular acupuncture, the entire body is mapped onto the ear and stimulating the ear can treat conditions all over the body.
In the case of labour, I have been told by patients that stimulation of a point on the ear cuts their labour pains in half. I have attended numberous births at which I set up a tiny needle in both the women’s ears. The needles are covered with adhesive tape (much like a bandaid). During contractions, one ear is pressed, with thumb on the needle, and counterpressure with the index finger on the back on the ear at the same level. Sometimes I stay for the labour. More often I teach the woman’s partner how to apply the pressure. I also have one patient that preferred pressing the point by herself.
On a couple occasions I have wondered if this pressure is making a significant difference and have decided to try a contraction without pressing. In both cases, the labouring women have called out, “ear, ear”. They did not want to withstand any contractions without this support.
This auricular stimulation does not interfere with the woman’s mobility or positioning and needles are easy to remove if they are not wanted.

In my experience, auricular acupuncture is a low cost, non-evasive, and miraculously effective support for labour.

Induction

Acupuncture is used to encourage labour to start. Women often look to acupuncture for help when they are post dates or when their water has broken and contractions have not kicked in yet.

From a Chinese Medicine perspective, the onset on labour is an example of “Yin transforming to Yang”. After 9 months of maintaining the job of keeping the fetus safe and enclosed, the uterus suddenly begins to contract. The key terms become “opening” and “down”. Acupuncture points are chosen to support the downward and opening movement of energy. Some of the points used are from the classical “do not use in pregnancy” list – specifically because these points have downward and opening functions. Other points are chosen in relation to the specific needs of the woman at the time and with consideration to her constitution.

Induction treatments last 20-30 minutes and are very comfortable for the woman. Women often sleep while the needles are in, or at least relax deeply.

Treatment also allows the woman to discuss her situation and receive support in accepting and feeling comfortable with her current situation, and better understanding her options.

For details about a study on the effectiveness of Acupunucture for labour induction see:

http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab002962.html
Smith CA, Crowther CA. Acupuncture for induction of labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD002962. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002962.pub2.

This video offers a short and clear representation of the opening and downward motions in labour and birth.

Acupuncture in Labour

I love attending births. It is a magical experience and a great honour to attend a birth. I also love the experience because I feel I have so much to offer the labouring woman.
As an acupuncturist, the main thing I offer is the use of needles and acupressure to help a woman have an efficient and positive labour. Every birth is unique. Acupuncture and acupressure can be used for pain relief, augmentation (making contractions stronger and more effective), relief from nausea, encouraging dilation and fetal descent, improving energy, and helping focus.
In my experience, the use of small auricular needles or tacks (the entire body is mapped out on the auricle of the ear) is the greatest support I can offer. Ear needles do not interfere with the woman’s mobility. My favorite point, Ear Shenmen, has made an enormous difference for many of the women I have supported in labour. On a couple of occasions, I have pressed on that point in the ear through every contraction. If I stepped away, the woman would call me to her ear. She would not want to endure a single contraction without that pressure. In addition to offering intense pain relief (in part by bringing pain to the ear and splitting attention?), the pressure increased a woman’s focus and ability to cope.
I am very interested to hear about other people’s experiences and questions. From my experience, acupuncture is a wonderful support for labour.