Acupressure Points to Induce Labor
For many women, being overdue with labor is common, especially for first-time moms. This can become an uncomfortable and painful experience as time progresses. Many women eventually start employing different methods to help induce labor. One of these is acupressure points to induce labor and focuses on your natural pressure points to help bring on labor.
However, this technique only works when one’s cervix is ready for delivery. Here, you can find some helpful tips on acupressure for inducing labor.
Most Useful Acupoints for Bringing on Labor
Acupressure points, when used, are one of the most natural methods to help with pain relief in one’s body. When it comes to acupoints for labor, they are helpful and efficient for creating an easy childbirth.
Anyone can apply acupressure therapy when learning how to do it properly, and it is easy to find when in need of bringing on labor. When used, acupressure has no side effects when applied. One also needs to remember that Acupressure Points to Induce Labor must not be implemented in the first 36 weeks of pregnancy, as it can harm the mother and baby.
List of Pressure Points to Induce Labor:
- Spleen 6 Point
- Pericardium 8 Point
- Bladder 32 Point
- Bladder 67 Point
- Large Intestine 4 Point
- Kidney 1 Point
- Gallbladder 21 Point
- Liver 3 Point
- Bladder 60 Point
Once a woman completes her full cycle of nine months, they are likely to start feeling labor pains. Within a couple of hours, a woman can give birth to her baby, but in some situations, the process could last longer. At this time, using acupoints helps with pain relief and brings on labor. Different acupoints are effective in starting natural labor.
Acupressure Points to Induce Labor Infographic:
This helps to make the childbirth process a little bit safer and easier.
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Acupoints for Inducing Labor
One can find some familiar pressure points when in need of inducing labor and include some of the following:
Spleen 6 pressure points
This is a familiar Acupoint and useful when bringing on labor. These acupoints are situated in the back of one’s Shinbone. One can find it above the ankle bone, about 4cm upwards on the back of one’s leg. When finding the spleen 6 points, apply firm pressure with your index finger for a few seconds. Relieve pressure for 1 minute and repeat.
The Pericardium 8 Points
The following Acupoint is the second most common point for inducing labor. This point is found in the middle of one’s palm. When finding the exact point, bend your middle finger and place it on the palm. This Acupoint Pericardium 8 point is between the 2nd and third metacarpal bones. You apply pressure by messaging the region for a few seconds with your thumb.
Acupressure Bladder 32 Points
This Acupoint is an effective pressure point to help with inducing labor and many other related problems. This point is located on the buttocks, and the exact location is the dimple of the buttocks. When locating the bladder 32 points, one must apply firm pressure and move vertically upwards up the buttock. Repeat this process for a few minutes. This will help to bring on labor and resolve the women’s gynecological infections and problems.
The Bladder 67 Acupoint
For solving labor-related problems, the Bladder 67 Acupoint is useful and located on one’s little toe. Many people refer to it as one’s pinky toe. To find the exact location of this Acupoint, it is located on the edge of one’s small toe on the outside of the nail. Apply firm pressure with the thumb and index finger the same as a light pinch, but remember that this pinch should not cause pain to the person’s toe. This helps to bring the infant lower, bringing birth on.
The Large Intestine 4 (LI 4) Acupoint
This common point is used in Acupressure Therapy to help relieve aches, problems, and pain relief points. One can find this point between one’s thumb and index finger between the webbing. Apply pressure with your thumb and massage this point for a couple of seconds with intervals in between.
The Kidney 1 Acupoint
This helpful point is great for relaxing a mother with anxiety during labor. One can find this point situated in the sole of the mother’s foot, and the precise location is in the middle of the upper side on the sole of the foot. One needs to apply firm pressure for a few seconds. By applying pressure to this point, the mother will feel less stressed during her labor, and it is great to use in people suffering from insomnia disorders.
Lower Back Pain during Labor – Liver 3 Point
Many moms undergo lower back pain, and the acupressure liver 3 points are excellent for relieving this pain. It is situated between the big toe and one’s 2nd toe. One needs to apply pressure with one’s thumb to relieve lower back pain, and stimulating this pressure point is also great for people suffering from menstrual cramps, insomnia, and anxiety.
Bladder 60 Point
Gallbladder 21 Point
Acupressure points to induce labor chart diagram
Conclusion
When using acupressure points to induce labor, as mentioned in the article, it is best to research & have knowledge before applying. If you do not know how to use acupressure techniques, kindly consult an acupressure specialist before applying acupoints to help bring on labor in any pregnant woman.
Everything You Need to Know About Induction
Are you considering induction? Then, you need to be prepared before going to the hospital. The primary reason for having an induction is not something you should do alone and is best left to the medical advisors. If you suffer from high blood pressure or gestational diabetes, having the procedure done can help make the labor more comfortable.
However, many doctors induce labor if you are past your birth date. Other reasons are that you feel uncomfortable, as you have passed your due date for over a week. Sometimes, waiting a bit after reaching 39 weeks is better as it’s essential for your child’s development.
Further, it can increase the risk of having a cesarean section, especially if you are a first-time mom. Another thing is you will not be allowed to eat much for a couple of hours, as you can become nauseous and vomit. Therefore, what can you expect when having an induction—let us find out.
What Can You Expect with Induce Labor
First off, do not just think that the nursing staff will hook you up to Pitocin until your cervix is ready, as it will not be effective. Your body needs to show signs that it is prepared for labor. The hospital staff will start with cervical ripening by placing a tiny pill (Cytotec or Misoprostol) inside the cervix. Sometimes, they do a manual opening with a balloon catheter to expand the uterus before administering the medicine.
The process can take a while, helps you to start natural labor, and could last all day or longer. Another notable thing is that your contractions will feel more intense. Your contractions could last longer and harder as it is controlled. Furthermore, you are monitored all the time.
They will monitor the baby, and this means bed rest for you. If they cannot detect the contractions with the external monitor, you may have an internal monitor placed for accurate readings. You need to mentally prepare yourself as it becomes uncomfortable, as nothing distracts you from the pain.
Another important thing is that no woman is the same, and inductions are unpredictable as they may last up to two days. Now that you have heard the basics of induced labor, you may wonder if there are other ways to start your labor naturally. Make sure to read on.
What Other Innate Ways Are There to Induce Labor
A fact is that most childbirth experts do not believe in at-home methods to induce labor. You have browsed through many message boards suggesting natural induced labor from castor oil to spicy foods. However, do they work? There is no promise, and some are still under investigation. However, here are some natural ways to help get you on your way.
Acupuncture and Acupressure
In certain parts of Asia, age-old methods have been used for centuries to help jump-start your labor. A study done at North Carolina University found that most women who received acupressure went into labor without needing any medical push. Further, they found that most women had a lesser risk of acquiring an emergency cesarean section.
Have Sex
Many positive reviews have shown that having sex helps induce labor. The reason is that sex releases hormone substances that work like induction medication, and it does not hurt to try it. Alternatively, your man must ejaculate inside you as it contains a stimulant called prostaglandins, leading to induced labor.
Other Methods:
Please note that the following methods had mixed reviews for inducing labor. It is important to consult your doctor or midwife before trying any of them.
- Many recommend taking small amounts of castor oil when your body is ready for labor, generally after 38 weeks of pregnancy. The problem is that the oil can give you diarrhea and can become dehydrated.
- Other women take cohosh, an herb with plant-based chemicals like estrogen. However, it is not well studied.
- Another herb that received positive results is evening primrose oil. The oil softens the cervix and makes you ready for labor.
These are only a couple of techniques you can follow to help bring on labor, but it has not been proven that it does.
When Should You Induce Labor After The Due Date
Labor is a natural process, and women have been doing it since the beginning. If you are a couple of days overdue, there is no need to have induction done. However, if you walk for longer than one week, inducing labor could lower the risk of complications.
Most babies are born around the 40th week, and if it does continue to 42 weeks, the mother and child could develop health problems. If you are overdue, it might not affect you but not the baby, as the placenta may stop providing your child with essential needs.
Further, the womb could become infected, causing complications during childbirth. Alternatively, your child keeps growing and could be too big for a natural birth, causing you to have a C-section. The good news is it does not only have disadvantages but can save your baby’s life.
Other reasons to induce labor are if your water breaks and your contractions do not start independently. The problem is that you risk getting an infection once your membranes are broken. Other reasons are:
- Your placenta is no longer providing amniotic fluid for your baby to grow and survive
- You have a chronic, life-threatening illness, such as high blood pressure and diabetes
- You have had a stillbirth
Foods You Can Eat to Help Induce Labor
While eating certain foods to induce labor may help, insufficient research proves it. However, a woman found that certain foods contribute to starting natural childbirth.
- Pineapple contains Bromelain that helps soften and stimulate the service to induce labor. You will have to eat a lot of it, which is beneficial for natural childbirth.
- Green Papaya – Eating raw green papayas is full of Papin and brings on contractions.
- You must not consume too much Black Licorice as it can cause diarrhea and causes mild contractions.
- Garlic is a favorite food that helps induce labor as it stimulates the bowels and empties your stomach.
- Red Raspberry Tea helps tone and strengthen the uterus and helps with contraction. You can drink it from the 32nd week every day.
- Cumin Tea helps with digestive tract issues as it provides bloating relief and helps to induce labor.
- Balsamic Vinegar is made from white grape juice; according to some woman, a couple of shots brings labor on.
Frequently Asked Questions About Induction
Does Walking Induce Labor?
Walking is a form of exercise and helps your baby move smoothly down your cervix to be in the correct position for labor. Further, it helps with natural childbirth and helps stimulate the uterus to release oxytocin.
Can stress induce labor?
Stress is difficult to manage throughout your pregnancy, and it is best to try to relax. If you do have anxiety, it can increase your risk of going into premature labor.
Can swimming induce labor?
Swimming is an exercise that helps to get the baby into the correct position for labor. However, it is not recommended if you are in the early stages of childbirth, as it counteracts gravity.
Can a massage induce labor?
Acupressure massage can help pregnant women induce labor as specific points are connected with an individual’s body energy pathways. These points help balance the energy flow and enhance the body’s healing. As we all know, pregnancy is a critical time for all women; hence, it is advised to consult their OB/GYN before making any decision.
Can exercise induce labor?
As per your obstetrician’s guidelines, light exercise or walking should be fine during pregnancy, and walking can be one of the factors that might be able to induce labor.
Does pumping induce labor?
If you are in a full-term pregnancy and past your due date, using a breast pump may help to start your labor naturally. With nipple stimulation, it increases your levels of oxytocin and helps to relax your body.
Final Thoughts
If you want to induce labor naturally, exercising and eating healthy will surely get you on your way. Having induction done is not recommended if you are only a couple of days overdue. However, it is highly recommended under your doctor’s supervision if you have a medical condition. The above techniques are not proven to help labor, and if you decide to try them, ensure you are over your full-term pregnancy to prevent complications.
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