Acupuncture Services in London

Acupuncture and Labour Induction

Acupuncture and Labour Induction - how does it work?

Acupuncture for labour induction is used successfully to promote labour naturally when a women is past her due date. It is recommended that a pregnant women has acupuncture for labour induction at least three days past her due date.

The benefits of acupuncture for labour induction are:

  • Influences cervical dilation and ripening
  • Naturally stimulates uterine contractions
  • Reduces time from due date to delivery
  • Reduces likelyhood of medical induction
  • Reduces the rate of epidural anaesthesia
  • Provides relaxation in cases of emotional distress
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    Acupuncture | Labour Induction Research

    In a study of fifty-six primigravid women at 39 weeks or greater with a singleton gestation and Bishop score (a system for predicting whether induction of labour will be required) of less than seven were randomised to usual medical care or usual care plus three acupuncture treatments. Compared with controls, women in the acupuncture group tended to be more likely to labour spontaneously and less likely to deliver by Caesarean section.

    (A randomized controlled trial of acupuncture for initiation of labor in nulliparous women. Journal of Maternal Fetal Neonatal Medicine. 2006 Aug;19(8):465-70).

    45 women on their due dates were randomised into either an acupuncture group or a control group to assess the effects of acupuncture on cervical ripening. The study concluded that acupuncture can shorten the time interval between the women's expected due date of delivery and time of delivery. The time from the woman's due date to delivery was an average of 5 days in the acupuncture group and 7.9 days in the control group. Labour was medically induced in 20% of women in the acupuncture group compared to 35% in the control group.

    (Acupuncture for cervical ripening and labour induction at term - a randomised control trial. 2001. 113 (23-24): 942-6.)

    Acupuncture and Labour Induction Testimonial

    Acupuncture and Labour Induction Case Study

    The London Acupuncture Space has undergone extensive training in Fertility Acupuncture and Obstetrics Acupuncture at the Royal College of Physicians in London and at the reknowned Zita West Fertility Clinic.

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