Keeping an open mind about your labor and anticipating ways to relive your pain can help your labor run more smoothly. Acupressure is a form of holistic therapy that can naturally relieve your pain. If you are overdue, it can even be used as a means to induce labor. Always check with your doctor before using acupressure.
Acupressure
Acupressure involves the methodical placement of pressure applied by the thumb and forefinger to various spots on your body. The belief behind acupressure is that the entire body is interconnected and by touching certain spots on the outside of the body, you can manipulate the organs within. Proponents of acupressure believe that it can help reduce pain, tension, circulation and even help induce labor.
Mechanism
Scientifically, acupressure can work by manipulating the release of hormones and endorphins inside the body. According to Debra Fulghum Bruce in her article on ShareCare.com, research shows that endorphins are released during acupressure. These endorphins increase activity inside your brain that relaxes muscle and reduces pain and nervousness. This mechanism might also lower your heart rate and blood pressure. All of these mechanisms can benefit a woman during labor and childbirth.
During Labor
According to a meta-analysis involving 1,986 women conducted by the Cochrane Group in 2011, acupressure might be beneficial during childbirth. This analysis reports a trend in the reduction of pain as well as the reduction in the use of pain medications in women who use acupressure during childbirth. One method of acupressure during childbirth is to palpate the upper back. This location, known as the Jianjing GB-21, is located between the prominent cervical vertebrae on your neck and the shoulder joint. If you draw a line between these two points, it is in the middle, at the highest point. To relieve pain, the birthing partner should apply pressure to this point as a contraction begins. This pressure point can also increase the effectiveness of contractions.
Induction
Acupressure might also be used to induce labor. However, never do this on your own or without consent from your doctor. Induction should not be done until you are overdue by at least one week. Natural induction can be more peaceful and less painful than chemical induction. To induce labor, a pressure points exist on the webbing of your hand between the thumb and fingers or just inside the ankle bone. These points should be rubbed for 30 to 60 seconds with breaks of one to two minutes between.
References
- ShareCare.com; How Does Acupressure Work?; Debra Fulghum Bruce
- Cochrane Report.org; Acupuncture or Acupressure For Pain Management in Labour; C.A. Smith, et al.; 2011
- The Essential Guide to Acupuncture in Childbirth and Pregnancy; Jianjing GB-21; Debra Betts
- GivingBirthNaturally.com: Acupressure to Induce Labor
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