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Birth & Parenting News: Acupuncture & the Childbearing Year
Acupuncture: Proven to shorten labor and decrease medical intervention. The ancient art of acupuncture has been put to the test when it comes to mamas-to-be. Since 1974, numerous studies have tested acupuncture points to ripen the cervix, help position the baby in the best presentation for labor, and promote optimal energy and stamina for women to enter into labor. The results are as follows.
Benefits of Pre-Birth Acupuncture (weekly starting at week 36):
Shortens labor: Research has demonstrated that the mean duration of labor in a group of women giving birth for the first time was reduced from 8 hours and 2 minutes in the control group (70 women) to 6 hours and 36 minutes in the group of women (70) who had received pre-birth acupuncture.
Decreases medical intervention: Data on 169 women was gathered by 14 midwives as part of their midwifery practice in New Zealand. It found that when comparing all caregivers (midwives, general practitioners, and specialists) to those women who received pre-birth acupuncture there was:
- An overall 35% reduction in the number of inductions (for women having their 1st baby there was a 43% reduction)
- 31% reduction in the epidural rate
- 32% reduction in cesarean delivery
- 9% increase in vaginal births
Turns breech/posterior babies: Breech babies are ideally treated between 33-36 weeks gestation. This generally includes an acupuncture treatment with women being shown how to continue treatment at home with a moxa stick (an herb that has been shaped into a cigar-like stick and held over acupuncture points).
Natural Induction: Acupuncture treatments can stimulate labor in a woman who is past her due date. Research has shown that acupuncture takes from 3 to 60 hours to initiate contractions. At least two treatments are recommended.
This article was written by Monica Mae Leibson of Acupuncture Healthcare Associates of Michigan. Acupuncture is also known to treat infertility; relieve common symptoms during pregnancy such as nausea, heartburn, and low back pain; and help with persistent uterine bleeding postpartum, afterpains, breastfeeding problems, and postpartum depression.