Acupuncture for Labor Promotion

What happens when your due date comes and goes without the onset of labor? An induction is usually the next step to getting labor going in the hospital.  In our clinics, we use acupuncture treatment to successfully promote the smooth transition into labor starting at 36 weeks.  

Research studies in the last 10 years have helped us understand the role acupuncture can play in labor and delivery.  Studies show that acupuncture treatments can relieve labor pain, promote uterine contractions, shorten the birth process, and treat postpartum disorders.  These clinical findings were the result of acupuncture's ability to influence serum levels of prostaglandins, estrogen, and oxytocin along with stimulating uterine contractility.  

How many treatments will I need?

We suggest beginning treatment to stimulate the transition into labor starting at 36 weeks.  Once per week acupuncture these last few weeks of pregnancy allow enough time for the acupuncture stimulation to have a gentle but significant effect on the hormone changes involved.  If a woman waits until their due date or past due, they will need to receive treatments daily in order to maintain the momentum created after each session. 

During the acupuncture treatment the mom may notice increased movement of her baby and some contractions. Most women experience increased contractions in the evening and night after a session. Each subsequent week or day of treatment the mom should have more signs that she is moving more in the direction of active labor.  The effects of acupuncture treatment are not as instantaneous as a medical induction and multiple treatments are usually necessary.

For more information and articles on this topic you can see:

Acupuncture for cervical ripening and induction of labor at term—a randomized controlled trial.
Rabl M, Ahner R, Bitschnau M, Zeisler H, Husslein P.
Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2001 Dec 17;113(23-24):942-6.

Smith CA, Crowther CA. Acupuncture for induction of labour.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004;(1):CD002962

Rabl M., Ahner R., Bitschnau M., Zeisler H., Husslein P.
Acupuncture for cervical ripening and induction of labor at term—a randomized controlled trial. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2001 Dec 17;113(23-24):942-6.
PMID: 11802511

Dunn PA, Rogers D, Halford K. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation at acupuncture points in the induction of uterine contractions.
Obstet Gynecol. 1989 Feb;73(2):286-90.
PMID: 2783481