During the end of your pregnancy you may be feeling fatigued and ready to meet your little one. As the weeks tick by and you become overdue, it might seem like you will almost never give birth. Acupressure is a natural way to try and induce labor. It involves stimulating certain points on your body to elicit a response from your systems that can cause your cervix to contract and dilate.
How it Works
Acupressure works by releasing chemicals into your body known as endorphins and monoamines, according to Debra Fulghum Bruce Ph.D. This can influence the body in many ways. Acupressure is usually useful as a means of reducing chronic pain, which may come in handy during labor. However, this release of chemicals can also induce contractions and cause labor.
Labor Induction
To induce labor, there are points on a woman's hands and ankles that can initiate cervical contractions. The webbing between your thumb and pointer finger is one pressure point. Simply pinch this area, then stimulate it with circles for 30 to 60 seconds, take a break, then commence. On the ankle, count four fingers on the inside of the boney part of your ankle. When you press on this point, it should feel uncomfortable or even painful. Rub a circular motion for 30 to 60 seconds, break, then begin again. Repeat these cycles and continue, stimulating the acupressure points with each contraction.
Before Medical Induction
These acupressure techniques can be useful even if you have a scheduled medical induction. In the three days prior to your scheduled induction, perform both the hand and ankle pressure points. This can help to stimulate the cervix to prepare for labor, making the medical induction more effective.
Precautions
Never perform acupressure to induce labor without first speaking with your doctor. Acupressure should not be performed to induce labor if your fetus is not fully developed. Wait until you are at least 41 weeks pregnant before performing labor inducing acupressure.
