Acupressure For Labour And How To Have An Easier, Safer Childbirth

Acupressure for labour is becoming very popular amongst the medical fraternity and more and more women are turning to natural treatments that work with their bodies, rather than enduring pain relievers, epidurals and sometimes caesarian sections. Childbirth can be extremely hard work and fear of the unknown coupled with fatigue and stress, make it even harder.

Click here to find out how acupressure for labour could help you

Acupressure for labour is used not only as a means of relaxation but also to help control the pain. A certain amount of relaxation will help you to have an easier labour and put less stress on the baby, whilst managing the pain effectively is important because strong labour pains can tire you mentally and physically and prolong the period of labour.

Acupressure is actually older than acupuncture and dates back to at least 4,000 B.C. in the East.  Acupressure for labour consists of finger or thumb pressure on specific points of the body that correspond with the flow of energy. Stimulation of acupressure points increases the release of endorphins which are natural painkillers that also improve the body’s performance and promote positive feelings. Acupressure also provides relaxation by normalising the heart rate and lowering the blood pressure. This has the effect of making the birthing mother feel less anxious and stressed and much calmer and soothed.

The use of acupressure for labour is very effective as opposed to the administration of drugs, because it will not lessen the contractions or cause them to stop. In fact, specific acupressure points can actually increase the strength of a woman’s contractions.  Acupressure has proven to be very successful with women in labour and significantly their delivery times have been considerably shorter than mothers not using acupressure.

Acupressure for labour is a simple method that you and your birthing partner can use with basic instructions. Below are some of the most effective acupressure points that you can try for pain relief during labour.

Adjoining Valley

This point is located in the webbing between your thumb and your forefinger. It is an effective point for optimizing your contractions, speeding your labor, and reducing pain in a safe way. You or your partner will need to press this point very firmly, and it will probably be tender.  Studies have shown that ice massage on this point has been very helpful in reducing discomfort during labor. So, your partner could try using a wrapped ice cube to press on this point. Do not practice the treatment of this point before you have reached your 41st week because it also induces labor by encouraging the contractions.

Reaching Inside

This point is located just outside the little toe nail. It is helpful in turning a breech and posterior baby as well.

Three Yin Crossing

This point is four finger-widths above the ankle next to the bone on the inside of the leg. You can be confident that you have found it when you feel a tender spot. This point is helpful in lessening labor pains, but it can also ripen the cervix. So, do not try this point until you are far enough in your pregnancy to safely induce labor.
Giving birth is one of the most momentous things that a woman can do but it can also be very frightening at the same time. Acupressure for labour is by far the safest method to reduce your pain and anxiety without resorting to pharmaceuticals that have the potential to harm your baby.

For a step by step guide to acupressure for labour click here