Pre-Birth Acupuncture

Pre-birth acupuncture is a series of weekly treatments for pregnant women from week 36 of their pregnancy. 

The treatments aim to promote a healthy and natural birth to:

1. Ripen the cervic and assist effacement
2. Enhance overall energy and stamina necessary for a healthy labour; and
3. Assist the baby in being in the best position for labour.

The acupuncture points used boost energy, aid relaxation and stress relief, soften the ligaments and tendons prior to labour, and aid in cervical dilation. 



How effective is acupuncture for preparation for birth?

Feedback suggests acupuncture reduces the length of time women spend in labour
and the number of women requiring medical intervention (medical induction, epidural and caesarian section), increasing normal vaginal deliveries.

Research from New Zealand showed that pregnant women who receive pre-birth acupuncture treatment, either go into spontaneous labour around their due dates, or if induction is required they respond well to acupuncture induction and move efficiently into a natural labour. 



Research has also demonstrated that the duration of labour in a group of 140 women giving birth for the first time was reduced from 8 hours and 2 minutes in the control group to 6 hours and 36 minutes in the group that received pre-birth acupuncture on a weekly basis from week 36 until the due date.

Read more: http://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/acupuncture/research/prebirth/

Can I address other health concerns?

Although it is common to use preparation points each treatment can be tailored to suit your specific needs. If you have hip pain for example, then pain can drain your energy and stop you sleeping.  We want you to arrive in the best shape possible at the start of labour so it is really important that we help resolve any niggling conditions that may put a drain on your resources.