Maternity acupressure is a natural technique for inducing labor and relieving labor pains when your baby is overdue. Originally used more in Asian countries, this method is now becoming popular in the West because it is natural and safe. Though this holistic method is based on the fundamentals of acupuncture, it differs from that science because it is applied with the fingertips and thumbs, not needles.
Maternity acupressure spots are points on the meridians that carry energy (chi in Chinese traditional medicine) in the body. Acupuncture needles are used on these same spots by licensed acupuncturists to aid labor and delivery.
Medscape Today, a division of WebMD, provides information from numerous studies in which a high number of women experienced an elevated decrease in labor pains when they were treated with acupuncture. Acupuncture and acupressure, which are done on the same points, are cited by the same source to have been found to increase endorphins, bring on stimuli from secondary sensory receptors to reduce pain awareness, improve energy flows necessary for labor progress and ease and decrease tense muscles.
More and more women in the west are turning to this form of treatment because it is easy and natural. Some of these acupressure techniques can be carried out by the laboring woman herself, other techniques can be done by her partner, midwife or friend.
Instructions
1. Spots and Techniques
The buttock point is a tender spot at two-thirds the distance of an imaginary horizontal line that runs from the top of the buttock crease to the hip bone. This point is used for labor preparation two to three days before the due date. Acupressure on this point is combined with sacral massage in which strong downward strokes to and around the buttocks are performed.
The acupressure points for inducing labor are located on the inside of the ankle at a distance of two finger widths above the ankle bone. Press the spot with the middle and index fingers of one hand. One finger width above the buttock's dimples is another point for inducing labor; press with the thumb. An inch in on the web-like-skin between the thumb and index finger of each hand is also a point for inducing labor. Press this spot using the thumb and index finger of the opposite hand.
A point that can encourage uterine contractions is located at the top point on the shoulder muscle. It is halfway on an imaginary curved line from the conspicuous bony point on the neck and the highest point of the shoulder joint. Pressure has to be applied with the thumb, the force coming from the arm.
The acupressure point that anesthetizes contraction strength is located over the Sacral Foramen depression halfway between the spine and the dimples above the buttocks. Apply pressure beginning at this point, moving slowly down the spinal cord.
To dilate the cervix, apply pressure using the thumb on a spot on the leg that is determined by using a woman's four finger widths beyond the tip of the shin bone on the inside of the leg.
2. Spots to relieve discomfort during contractions and labor
The spots on the creases located where the fingers join the palm are considered pain-relieving points in maternity acupressure. The technique for these spots is to grip a comb with the teeth touching these spots and apply pressure by tightening the grip during contractions.
When the toes of the foot are pulled to the sole, the depression spot at the sole's top one-third area is an acupressure point. When pressure is exerted inward and upward toward the big toe at this spot, the mother is relaxed and it also relaxes the perineum. This acupressure point is highly recommended during the second stage of labor.
3. To Relieve Nausea
Five minutes of pressure with the fingertips on a spot above the transverse crease of the inner wrist at a height equivalent to a woman's three finger widths will relieve mild nausea.
Tags: inducing labor, acupressure point, finger widths, applied with, during contractions