Pregnancy and Acupuncture

[pelers]

Anyone try acupuncture while pregnant to get labor kick started? My doc wants to schedule me to be induced on my due date, which I'd really rather avoid. I'm going to push back on this and get him to hold off until at least one week over, but he's concerned about bebe size (even though it hasn't been an issue in the past).

Aaaanyway, I did some reading that said having a few acupuncture sessions in the weeks leading up to your due date won't necessarily kick start labor, but they will make it faster and easier.

Anyone have personal experience? I already have an appointment set up at Henry Chiropractic for next week.

 

[DQ2B]

Don't know about acupuncture but I went into labor with my second after a massage.

 

[somdnanny1]

I don't know about accupuncture helping with pregnancy or delivery, but my mom, a licensed massage therapist with at that point 8 years of experience working as a massage therapist full time and that was 10 nearly 11 years ago now, massaged my cousin's low back after she went late (by about 2 weeks) and my cousin went into labor within half an hour and gave birth to her first less than 8 hours later. I do know that they recommend massage to help encourage pregnant women to relax even if it doesn't help them go into labor because it'll usually help them to have an easier time with labor.

 

[withrespect]

I never tried the acupuncture but I did try other things that people suggested on the internet.

I tried breast pumping to try to induce contractions... OUCH...no joy.

I tried walking but was exhausted by one round on the block.

I tried throwing random things around my house and screaming "GET OUT!"

I forced my husband to have sex with me twice a day every day of the last month because I heard it could help.


None of it worked for me. I was still 4 days late.


(((((((Labor Vibes)))))))) to you

 

[Roman]

This is just my opinion, but I have noticed that these days, Doctors are Induction Happy. They'll induce to clear up their schedule, or maybe because your Due Date falls on their vacation, or the Doctor doesn't want to be called on a Sunday at 2:00 AM. Again, this is only MY opimion! I had a 10.5 ounce Baby with no problem, so who cares about the size? If there is a potentially dangerous reason, and they need to induce, that's a different story. I say, let it happen naturally unless your health, or the health of your Baby is at risk.

 

[pelers]

This is just my opinion, but I have noticed that these days, Doctors are Induction Happy. They'll induce to clear up their schedule, or maybe because your Due Date falls on their vacation, or the Doctor doesn't want to be called on a Sunday at 2:00 AM. Again, this is only MY opimion! I had a 10.5 ounce Baby with no problem, so who cares about the size? If there is a potentially dangerous reason, and they need to induce, that's a different story. I say, let it happen naturally unless your health, or the health of your Baby is at risk.

I agree completely. Like I said, I'm going to push to have that induction date shoved back as far as possible (barring complications) and going to do whatever I can (that is safe) to encourage myself to go into labor when I'm due. I'll give the acupuncture a go, I'll give the massage a go, utilize that gym membership and wear out a treadmill...

Hey, maybe some Black Friday shopping will send me over the edge! Hah. (Due Turkey Day weekend)

ETA: With my first I had to be induced because of pre-eclampsia. They started me on the nasty stuff at 7am, there was no bebe until nearly 1am. It wasn't a Sunday, but having him at a "convenient" time certainly didn't work out!

 

[migtig]

I've never induced labor, but I've had a lot of personal experience with acupuncture and say it's been quite successful for me.

Make sure your acupuncturist is licensed and trained. Their name should have L.Ac. after it on any business cards. I don't know the person you are going to, but it's really important you are going to one who has actually been trained. I do know I ran into the experience previously that there were a few people in our area practicing acupuncture but upon research I found they weren't actually trained. Not trying to scare you, just to make you informed.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. The needles are baby hair fine and are one time use only. Anything else is not acceptable. You should not even feel them.

I go to Sam in Leonardtown and her website has some good Q&A
Pink Lotus Acupuncture and Herbs

 

[pelers]

I've never induced labor, but I've had a lot of personal experience with acupuncture and say it's been quite successful for me.

Make sure your acupuncturist is licensed and trained. Their name should have L.Ac. after it on any business cards. I don't know the person you are going to, but it's really important you are going to one who has actually been trained. I do know I ran into the experience previously that there were a few people in our area practicing acupuncture but upon research I found they weren't actually trained. Not trying to scare you, just to make you informed.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. The needles are baby hair fine and are one time use only. Anything else is not acceptable. You should not even feel them.

I go to Sam in Leonardtown and her website has some good Q&A
Pink Lotus Acupuncture and Herbs

Yeah, I did my research! My appointment is with John Hanson at Henry Chiropractic. He does have the L Ac, his license is current and valid. My insurance did pop up a list that had several people without the L Ac, as well as several that DID have it but weren't on record as having a license when I looked it up. Of course, my insurance has providers listed who died several years ago as well.

 

[Kris10]

I never tried the acupuncture but I did try other things that people suggested on the internet.

I tried breast pumping to try to induce contractions... OUCH...no joy.

I tried walking but was exhausted by one round on the block.

I tried throwing random things around my house and screaming "GET OUT!"

I forced my husband to have sex with me twice a day every day of the last month because I heard it could help.


None of it worked for me. I was still 4 days late.


(((((((Labor Vibes)))))))) to you

 

[Misfit]

Yeah, I did my research! My appointment is with John Hanson at Henry Chiropractic. He does have the L Ac, his license is current and valid. My insurance did pop up a list that had several people without the L Ac, as well as several that DID have it but weren't on record as having a license when I looked it up. Of course, my insurance has providers listed who died several years ago as well.

John Hanson is great! I saw him for about a year until I switched insurances and acupuncture wasn't covered anymore. Not only is he good at what he does, he's a great guy. He can explain acupuncture in western and eastern terms, making it as simple or complex as you’d like.