How To Use An Acupressure Point To Induce Labor
There comes a time during every woman’s pregnancy when she is so fed up with feeling bulky and cumbersome, of having swollen ankles, and of feeling tired all of the time, that she is keen to try anything that might just bring her baby sooner. Many women feel this way and many of them are turning to natural and holistic methods to try and bring about the onset of labor. Stimulating an acupressure point to induce labor is one such method that works for some women and has proven to be very effective as acupressure works on the emotions as well as the physical side of things, leaving a woman feeling calm and ready to begin her labor.
What is acupressure exactly? It is the massaging of a specific acupressure point on the skin using thumbs and fingertips. Each point it linked to a specific organ of the body and is used for relieving various conditions, and in the case of maternity, for stimulating contractions.
Check out this awesome guide to Maternity Acupressure. Click Here
Acupressure and locating an acupressure point is easily learned by a novice with just a few basic instructions and reference to an acupressure chart will show a person which points to stimulate for a specific condition. It is important to note that all charts will give a warning against a specific acupressure point if it is not to be used for pregnancy. This in fact means that it is a specific acupressure point to be used for inducing pregnancy only and great care must be taken only to use these specific points if a pregnant woman is in her 40th week of pregnancy or later. Stimulating the point if a woman has not reached that stage, may well bring on labor and could potentially endanger the health of her new born baby by being born too early.
There are four main pressure points that can be used to induce labor and I will go into more detail below:
1. Technique: Adjoining Valley
The Adjoining Valley technique stimulates the large intestine which surrounds part of your uterus. To stimulate this acupressure point, locate the webbing between your thumb and your forefinger (finger closest to your thumb). This area will feel tender to the touch. Press firmly, applying a continual pinching like motion to the area. This point will also help ease pain during delivery.
2. Technique: Shoulder Well
The Shoulder Well technique is performed by applying pressure to the trapezius muscle, the large muscle that connects your neck to your shoulder. Find the highest point where the muscle connects to the neck, then go down slightly, approximately the width of four fingers. This area should feel the most tender along the muscle. Apply gentle but firm pressure intermittently to this acupressure point.
3. Technique: Big and High
Apply the Blue and High technique by massaging the area between your ankle bone, the part that sticks out, and your Achilles tendon (just above your heel). This technique will encourage the baby to descend toward your pelvis.
4. Technique: Three Yin Crossing
The Three Yin Crossing will help strengthen weak contractions. This acupressure point is located about hands width above your ankle next to the bone on the inside of your leg by your calf muscle. While feeling in this area you will most likely come across an area that is more tender, this is the area you should be focusing on.
A woman can apply acupressure on herself or with the assistance of a partner. If the sensation on a specific acupressure point becomes too much to bear, then simply move on to another point. Some women only need one treatment of acupressure to induce labor whereas others may require several treatments repeated throughout the day. Studies have shown that most women go into labor within 48 hours of treatment.
