Labor induction - how about accupuncture?

[2bpeaceful]

Yes, I'm posting multiple times about induction methods, but I am really trying to avoid cervadil/pit next week.

How about accupuncture? Has anyone had it? Did it work? If so, how quickly?

I promise to be a resource to overdue moms after my little bambina decides to make her entrance...or should I say, exit!

[guestmama9906]

Oh, well, I can sort of help here! We were on day 12 of waiting for the boy and DH had an accupuncture appt. The woman knew I was over, and she showed me this pressure point on the outside of your pinky toe on your right foot. So I went home that night and did it. He was born the next night, but I never knew if it was b/c of the accupressure or b/c he was just really ready!

[2bpeaceful]

Thanks! I'm going for accupuncture tomorrow am as a step before taking castor oil, after hearing all of the negative experiences with co. I'll post about what happens after the needles. I'm hopeful.

[nova22]

It worked for my SIL. Her chiropractor gave her acupuncture to induce and her labor started within a couple hours. She gave birth to an 11-pounder in the hospital, drug-free.

Acupuncture is my first choice for induction if I go way past my due date. I've heard way too many bad things about castor oil, too, and I'm still afraid of cohosh tea. I hope it works for you, I'm sure it will be way better than those hard Pit contractions!!!

[NYCVeg]

Someone in my Bradley class successfully induced with accupuncture (well, maybe baby would have come anyway, but...). In this case, I think there's nothing to lose: no real risks, possible benefits.

P.S. You're not really 'overdue' until after 42 weeks!

[dharmama]

How about accupuncture? Has anyone had it? Did it work? If so, how quickly?

i had acupuncture with dd and it was amazing. when the needles were i and i was alone, i was able to visualize my dd's face and i just started sobbing and sobbing and telling her how much i wanted to meet her. it was an amazing release.

i had my dd the next day!

[nmm2112]

I want to try accupressure but I'm not sure how to "quickly" find a reputable person? I've googled it and come up with the induction point on your inner leg about 4 fingers above your ankle bone.... I've tried pressing there but maybe I'm just not doing it right.
I have a midwife apt and Chiro apt tomorrow so maybe they'll be able to help me.

I've heard really great things about it.

[nova22]

I have a lame question: does acupuncture hurt? What does it feel like?

[nmm2112]

When I had accupuncture done I really liked it -- the needles are so thin you barely feel them and I just ended up feeling very relaxed and invigorated afterward. Sometimes I suppose a needle can be place too close to a nerve or sensitive area - then you just tell the practicioner and they'll more it.

[2bpeaceful]

update on acupuncture treatment this a.m

The treatment lasted about 1.5 hrs and was extremely gentle. She used needles and electrical stimulation in the labor spots and put some in my ears for relaxation. My ears felt warm and the baby moved just a little during the treatment.
She said that 50% of her clients go into labor within 24 hrs of the tx, and that if I haven't felt anything within 12 hrs it probably wasn't going to happen. I've scheduled another appointment for tomorrow, 24 hrs after the first one.

Right now Im having almost imperceptible spotting and one miniscule shred of what I'm sure is mucus. This is barely anything, but it is SOMETHING because I havent been spotting at all during my pregnancy. I have to attribute it to the tx, which helps me feel that the acupuncture had some effect.

I'll update you on what happens in the next 12 hours or so. Hopefully I'll have some solid contractions soon...almost too much to wish for....

[nova22]

Good luck!!!!!

[sparkygirl74]

I went into lobor about four hours after a treatment to be induced. Try it!

[charmander]

Hi - I'm not in your due date club, but I just wanted to chime to tell you that acupuncture jumpstarted my labor very effectively when I had DD.

My water had broken early in the morning, but I hadn't had a single contraction. So, at about 4pm that day, my midwives asked me if I'd be willing to try acupuncture. I said yes, and the acupuncturist came to my house, and inserted a needle into a spot near my Achille's tendon on each foot. She kind of held onto the needles and vibrated them, one after the other, for about 45 minutes. It felt weird, but not uncomfortable.

So, after she left, I felt just fine..no different at all. My husband and I took a walk, then came home, and almost exactly 2 hours after the acupuncturist left - my labor came on FULL FORCE. The baby was born 1 hour later - very, very fast.

So, from personal experience, yes it definitely worked for me!

[2bpeaceful]

Acupuncture round 2 - update

Ok, so about 12 hours after the first round of acupuncture I definitely lost more of the mucus plug and had very light spotting (dark brownish). After some hot "cervical softening" w/dh, I lost a BIG chunk of the mucus plug and had quite a bit of spotting.

Woke up this am--no contractions, no spotting, so off to the acupuncturist for round 2.

She used much bigger needles this time to evoke a stronger response and I have to say it was not as relaxing as yesterday :

It's been 1.5 hrs since the treatment and I've had one tight squeeze in the belly but no spotting, no contractions. I'm going to do some walking today, maybe more induction therapy w/dh . I'll let you know what happens!!

(castor oil tomorrow if nothing happens w/the needles. Im trying hard to avoid pit on monday).