Pre-Birth Acupuncture
PreBirth treatment involves a series of four to six treatments weekly from 34 to 36 weeks to prepare the body for an healthy successful labor. We tailor treatment specific to a woman's pregnancy history, constitution and current symptoms.
The focus of pre-birth acupuncture treatments are to:
- ripen the cervic and assist effacement
- enhance overall energy and stamina necessary for a healthy labor
- assist the baby in being in the best position for labor
Initial research on pre-birth acupuncture treatments is showing promising findings. A study done in New Zealand Debra Betts and Sue Lennox looking at 169 women who received pre-birth acupuncture compared to the general population being treated solely by midwives, general practitioners and specialists found:
- an overall reduction of 43% in the number of inductions for women having their first pregnancy
- an overall reduction of 35%in the number of inductions for women having their second or subsequent pregnancies
- a 31% overall reduction in the epidural rate
- There was no difference in the onset of early labor in those women receiving prebirth acupuncture
Although this is a general study based on the clinical observation and not a randomized controlled study of large sample size, it does begin to reflect the potential benefits of acupuncture helping to prepare for labor and provide a basis for future studies.
Source: Debra Betts
