We have had great success treating pregnant patients and helping them to go into labor “on-time”. These days not many doctors will allow their patients to carry past 41 weeks. Unfortunately, babies do not always know the timeline which, leads to anxious parents-to-be worrying about Pitocin, cervadil, or a scheduled C-section. Stress makes for tight muscles and a tense cervix which, is less than optimal if you are trying to go into labor.
Over the years, we have been lucky enough to work with many pregnant people and have had a lot of success using a pre-labor protocol that was created by Debra Betts, a renowned midwife, and acupuncturist from New Zealand. Most pregnant patients who get this treatment go into labor “on time” usually by 40-41weeks, and have had relatively short (less than 12 hours which is short in my book) and often unmedicated labors. First-time parents may go past 40 weeks but in our practice, we there have been very few who have been induced medically.
The treatment commences at about 36-37 weeks gestation and ends at the onset of labor. Treatment consists of a core group of acupoints that help facilitate muscle relaxation, a softening of the cervix, and relaxation for the mind. During treatment, we also address other issues that may be affecting our patients. This could be reflux, insomnia, back pain, etc…
A recent study showed a 35% reduction in the number of inductions, (for first-time mothers this was a 43% reduction) and a 31% reduction in the epidural rate. When compared to a local midwifery practice (with no acupuncture) there was a 32 % reduction in emergency Cesarean Sections and a 9% increase in normal vaginal births.
