Maternity Acupressure Techniques – How To Do Maternity Acupressure

Sometimes your  body may need a kick start to go into labor and using certain maternity acupressure techniques is a gentle and effective method of inducing labor.  Acupressure works on the same philosophy as acupuncture but uses the fingertips and thumbs to gently massage specific pressure points on the body to relieve symptoms, pain and in the case of pregnancy, bring on contractions of the uterus. Maternity acupressure  techniques are very simple and can be learned by anyone with just a few basic instructions, making it an ideal method for a woman to try on herself to relieve pregnancy related symptoms such as nausea and back ache. Her partner can get involved too, and help relieve pain during labor itself.

Click here for a great Maternity Acupressure Techniques guide

There are three main pressure points that are used for the induction of labor and, in some cases, to provide pain relief  during labor. Learning maternity acupressure techniques is simple with a few basic instructions and a little practice.

The three main pressure points used to induce labor are located as follows:

(1)on the inside of  the ankle about two finger widths above the ankle bone
(2)one finger’s width above the dimple of the buttocks
(3)on the webbing between the index finger and the thumb on either hand

Practice locating these points on someone who is not pregnant using the first two fingers for applying pressure to point (1), the thumbs to make small circular movements or direct pressure on point (2) and your index finger and thumb of the same hand for applying pressure to point (3). The points will feel sore when pressure is applied and sometimes there will be a feeling of warmth and numbness.

Checkout this quick video showing maternity acupressure techniques to help induce labor

It is important to help the woman relax before trying out the maternity acupressure techniques.  Taking a warm bath is a good idea and she should try lying on her side supported by pillows. Also encourage her to take deep breaths to further her relaxation.

Women respond differently to the various pressure points on their bodies, so if one particular point is not having any effect, then move on to another.

For some women only one treatment of acupressure is needed to nudge their bodies into labor but for the majority treatment will need to be applied a few more times and many women find that they go into labor within 48 hours.

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