Naturally Inducing Labor In Post-Term Pregnancy

Second Child
My second child joined our family a whopping 14 days later than expected. (I say "whopping" because I'd been told second pregnancies are usually shorter than the first and not to be surprised if the baby arrived days, if not weeks early.) Included in my education in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine were various treatments and points one could use to "speed up" or induce childbirth, so I knew this was an option, but never once did I think I'd actually have it done on myself. But I did. After 12 days post-term, our midwife called and told me she recommended I consider having an ultrasound on Monday (it was Thursday evening), or look into natural ways to induce labor. The thought of having an ultrasound brought me to tears, so I opted for the possibility of induction. I knew immediately I'd find an acupuncturist and ask for a treatment ASAP.

The following afternoon, I was on my side on the exam table with needles in my lower back, hand, and just above my ankles. My son entered this world 7 hours later, after about 90 minutes of labor. He was perfect (and still is). No ultrasounds. No hospitals. No pitocin. No surgery. I experienced a purely wonderful childbirth. Every woman deserves this.

My Turn To Help
A friend of mine was pregnant and the baby could have arrived any day. I telephoned her daily, with the obvious question, "any baby yet?" For 6 or seven days, it was the same exasperated, almost sorrowful reply, "No. No baby." Then, "I can't believe this baby hasn't come yet. He/she must not be ready. I'm done being pregnant!"

On day 8 or 9, she called me (this was unusual), with a bit of concern in her voice. "Kirsten, I don't want to have another ultrasound. I hope nothing's wrong. I want to have this baby naturally, but I'm beginning to get worried. I know your son was post-term, you tried acupuncture, do you think I should try it?" Of course I thought she should try it! She wanted a homebirth with as few interventions as possible. Acupuncture was the perfect option. The worst that could happen was, well, nothing. Either acupuncture would help her labor start, or it wouldn't. So, after about 60 minutes on the phone, she'd decided to try it, and she wanted me to give her the treatment. I went to her house that evening. The treatment consisted of her lying in her bed for about 20 minutes with about 12 needles in specific points on her back, feet, hands, and just above her ankles.

I called her the next day. No baby. "Would you come over and do it again tonight?" She asked. "I need this to work."

Another treatment, similar points, a good night's sleep, and finally the phone call! "Kirsten, I had the baby last night. My labor started about 3 hours after you left. It was wonderful. The baby's perfect. We're all just fine. Thank you."
My friend had the childbirth she knew was possible, that her body and baby could achieve. She did it without pitocin, without pressure from doctors, without surgery. She had her baby at home, naturally.

Women whose pregnancies are post-term and have chosen to have their babies in a hospital or birthing center also benefit from acupuncture/acupressure.

Induce Or C-section
An acquaintance of mine familiar with my birth story frantically called a few months ago to ask if I'd consider giving her acupuncture to induce her labor. In her case, her doctor told her if she hadn't had the baby by a certain date (I think he gave her 4 more days) he was going to schedule a C-section. She absolutely didn't want to have surgery and she knew she could have her baby naturally. She just needed some time, which her doctor didn't have.

Because I feel it's our right as women to have our children how we think is best, and I believe childbirth is one of the most empowering experiences a woman can have, I said "of course," and asked her when and where she wanted to do the treatment. She came over just a few hours later. The following morning, her husband called with the news of the arrival of their son, born just 6 hours after having the treatment. All went well. No interventions. No surgeries. Mother and child were perfect.

Acupuncture and acupressure safely and naturally got the birthing process moving along. Mother, child, and acupressure were all working together to achieve a safe and healthy birth. The three of us mentioned above wanted to have the most peaceful, stress-free, natural labors possible. We knew we didn't want harmful medical interventions or dangerous drug induced labors, but also knew they were possibilities. We were fortunate to know the alternatives and we empowered ourselves to take action and reclaim the births of our children.

Your Baby Born, Your Way
If you find yourself in a situation like me or the women I told you about, needing a natural, safe way to induce labor, empower yourself and check out this program on inducing labor with acupressure. Acupressure is just as effective as acupuncture at naturally inducing labor, and you can safely do it yourself. As a mother of two beautiful children and an acupuncturist highly recommend Maternity Acupressure . It is a fantastic program and it gives you the knowledge and the tools to empower yourself as a woman and mother-to-be to have a birth in the most natural way possible. It's comprehensive and thorough. After studying what's inside, you'll feel relieved ("Whew! Maybe a C-section isn't inevitable! I can have a vaginal birth!"), smarter ("Wow! This is great information. I can't believe more women don't know this stuff!), and the all-important--Empowered-"I have a choice! I can have my baby naturally! I can do this!"

Another great thing about this program is that you can have it in 5 minutes. You don't have to wait until an acupuncturist or massage therapist who knows acupressure can see you. Plus, Maternity Acupressure cost less than a visit to the acupuncturist or massage therapist and way, way less than a drug induced labor.

If you are post-term and need or want to safely and naturally induce labor Click Here!