Acupuncture experience?

[mommy2naomi]

So I'll be 41 weeks tomorrow and the midwife suggested that I get acupuncture, so I went today. She put in 6 needles, 2 on the hands, 4 on the lower legs. Then she connected some electricity to the needles on my legs and had me sit like that for 15 minutes. It was very strange but honestly I didn't feel anything baby related. Now I feel like two of the needle points are bruised although I don't see any bruises. But baby has been super active for the last 2 hours. Anyone else experience anything like this? Did it go anywhere?

[gabbyquilts]

I have had accupunture before, but not for labor. Ive never had electrodes though. Mine where 10 in my lower back they sat there for a 10 or 15 minutes. Afterwards the area felt a little itchy, and then my issue which was some sort of back pain, seemed to improve over the next day. Try to relax this evening and let things get to work.

[Galatea]

Not done acupuncture, but my chiro does work on my pelvic nerves, and the firs time she did that, the baby got super-active. The second time, I definitely felt something in my uterus, as well as more activity from the baby. So maybe if you go again it will progress?

[PuppyFluffer]

I've had acupuncture all throughout this pregnancy. My gal stimulated some points for labor on Monday. They were in my feet and one in my hands.

If you are feeling any sensitivity in any of the points she stimulated, gently apply some pressure and see if you can even it out a bit with fingertip pressure for about 5 minutes.

[1babysmom]

A friend of mine had accupuncture done at 41wsomethingdays and she went into labor (having had NO previous signs) shortly after her appointment. She definitely attributes it to the accupuncture.

[RootBeerFloat]

I have been seeing an acupuncturist for several years and have studied it some. I'm guessing she needled the large intestine points in your hands, sort of between your thumb and index fingers, and spleen 6, which is on the inside of the legs a few inches above the ankles. The latter, in particular, is notorious for causing uterine contractions.

My acupuncturist said to me yesterday that she doesn't see acupuncture as being an immediate labor inducer, though it could certainly happen if your body and the baby are ready. She feels like it's more of a gradual thing, where a few treatments in a row will help steer the body in that direction. She said that she periodically gets calls from people who are 41 weeks and looking for a natural induction method to avoid scheduled inductions, and it often just doesn't work out, because acupuncture rarely works that way.

[lovely rita]

Originally Posted by Ally'smom

She said that she periodically gets calls from people who are 41 weeks and looking for a natural induction method to avoid scheduled inductions, and it often just doesn't work out, because acupuncture rarely works that way.

That was me! I called, desperate, and the practitioner scheduled me for one session just to relax me and balance me out, and then one two days later to try to induce contractions. Both times, I experienced exactly the intended effects: after session one, I felt calm and prepared and confident for the first time in weeks. After session two (well, DURING it really) I started having some heavy-duty contractions (my first ever), and my water broke a few hours later. I had been closed tightly and 0% effaced the previous day.

Of course, I was considerably overdue at that point anyway, so who knows? Coincidence? Placebo effect? (and even if it was that, I was happy to take it.) Anyway, I know there's no way of telling if the acupuncture actually had anything to do with it, but I'm still a fan.

[circle vortex]

I have been going for some time now and have the same points with the electric stem. I do have soreness in my legs after appt.

I have to say that since I had 6 "induction appts" so far, the baby will come when ready....I keep telling myself. ( 40+ 3 days )

[mommy2naomi]

Well, it seems acupuncture did nothing for me. I'm supposed to go back tomorrow but it was so uncomfortable and expensive. I'm leaning to just having the midwife sweep my membranes tomorrow instead.