Do Maternity Acupressure
Sometimes a labor may need a little nudge to get started, and maternity acupressure is a gentle yet effective method for labor induction. Acupressure is a technique using the fingertips and thumbs to apply pressure or small circular motions on specific pressure points in the body to help relieve symptoms, ease pain or, in the case of pregnancy, bring on contractions of the uterus. Many midwives and doulas utilize these techniques when working with laboring women. There are three main pressure points used in maternity acupressure that can help start a labor and in some cases provide pain relief during labor. Learning use maternity acupressure is easy with a few basic steps and little practice.
Instructions
1. Learn the three main maternity acupressure points for starting labor: (1) on the inside of the ankle about two finger widths above the ankle bone, (2) one finger width above the dimple of the buttocks, and (3) on the webbing between the index finger and the thumb on either hand.
2. Practice locating these three acupressure points on a nonpregnant person. Use the first two fingers for applying pressure to point #1, your thumbs to make small circular movements or direct pressure on point #2 and your index finger and thumb of the same hand for applying pressure to point #3. The points will feel sore when pressure is applied and there will sometimes be a feeling of numbness and warmth.
3. When using these acupressure points to induce a labor, help the pregnant woman relax before beginning. She may take a warm bath or shower first or lie in a side position supported by lots of pillows. Have her take deep breaths to help further her relaxation.
4. Work on only one acupressure point at a time. You will want to apply firm pressure to whatever point you are working on. If the woman is sitting or lying down, you can apply pressure to point #1 by the ankle or point #3 on one of her hands. It is easiest to work on point #2 on the lower back if the woman is leaning forward or on her hands and knees. Apply steady pressure for about 5 minutes or more, depending on how well the woman can handle the sensation.
5. Once labor is established, you might try using acupressure points to provide pain relief during the contractions. Try one of the points during a contraction and have the woman give you feedback as to whether it helped or not. If it doesn't help after about a half hour of applying pressure every few minutes, then try a different point.
Tags: acupressure points, pressure point, applying pressure, maternity acupressure, apply pressure