Acupuncture during Childbirth

Acupuncture during Childbirth

Philosophy

The birth of a child is an opportunity for a unique & transformative experience.  

Ways a Birth Doula can assist families

• Support in preparing a birth plan & be an advocate during birth
• Providing emotional support and reassurance
• Supporting partner by role modeling and encouragement
• Explaining medical procedures
• Pain relief techniques such as massage, positioning, breathing, relaxation
• Acupuncture during birth (see benefits below)

Benefits of a Continuous Doula (compiled by Penny Simkin)

A 2003 study describing the experiences of nearly 13,000 women has found that women who receive supportive care from a companion (non-hospital and non-partner) throughout labor are more likely than women without such care to avoid cesarean birth & other major medical interventions, and to be satisfied with their birth experience. These women were:

• 28% less likely to use any analgesia or anesthesia
• 41% less likely to give birth with vacuum extraction or forceps
• 26% less likely to give birth by cesarean
• 33% less likely to be dissatisfied with or negatively rate their birth experience

Acupuncture can help during labor in the following ways:

• Induce labor naturally and ease progression of labor
•  Relax and open the pelvis
• Ripens/dilates the cervix 
• Releases endorphins, encourages relaxation, manage labor pain
• Promotes effective uterine contractions if labor is not progressing optimally
• Turns breech/posterior babies
• Relieves a cervical lip
• Sustain a mothers energy
• Lowers high blood pressure
• Reduce the need for medical interventions
• Reduces postpartum hemorrhage

Acupuncture during pregnancy

Research has shown that acupuncture is effective at reducing pelvic pain during pregnancy, reducing morning sickness, and effectively turning a breech baby.  The “pre-birth protocol” (once weekly starting at week 36) has been shown to decrease medical intervention.  In women who received pre-birth acupuncture there was:

• An overall 35% reduction in the number of inductions (for women having their 1^st baby there was a 43% reduction)
• A 31% reduction in the epidural rate
• 32% reduction in cesarean delivery
• 9% increase in vaginal births