Acupuncture CANNOT induce labor, it may help you have a vaginal birth

Posted on October 24, 2023

Acupuncture cannot induce labor. Induction is a medical procedure.

Acupuncture may aid a vaginal birth:

• When Braxton hicks do not start at the appropriate time
• if the cervix has not softened, or to aid cervical ripening
• it the baby has ‘not dropped’
• It depends on your bishop score and how far along you are.  You will need to schedule a consultation. If you just try acupuncture, it may not help, because acupuncturists are not trained or educated to provide this service during the masters or doctorates programs, they have to obtain post-graduate education.  We have obtained that education to provide appropriate services.

General Birth Preparation starts at week 37 to aid a vaginal birth, and dose of treatment varies based on Bishop score. Patients will be advised after a consultation and evaluation.

-on the L&D unit acupuncture may help with problems of contractions, cervix, and pain after giving birth.

-Pain during labor in my practice is treated by methods I introduce during the patients care through their entire pregnancy, as my patients have acupuncture once a week when they do not have any pregnancy related problems.

-General Birth Preparation starts at week 37, and treatment varies based on Bishop score.

-Acupuncture or acupressure to reduce labor pain once the patients has been admitted to the hospital is not recommended.

Dr. Pourhassani, DACM, LAc. obtained post-graduate education on the L&D unit of a New York hospital.  She encourages patients to seek acupuncturist who have additional post-graduate education for labor preparation.

P.S. Licensed acupuncturists who sub-specialize have sacrificed more time and money to obtain proper education.