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  | crafty1   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 03 July 2008
 Points: 1024
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Topic: Anyone used acupuncture for labour Posted: 19 November 2009 at 1:05pm
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   Hi girls, 
A friend is an acupuncturist and has been talking about using it for labour and may be interested in doing it to me during labour.  Has anyone used this?  I'd love to hear experiences.
 
 Also in the build up to labour, basically any antenatal use i would be interested in hearing about.
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  | fire_engine   Senior Member
 
   
 
 Joined: 03 November 2007
 Points: 6260
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 19 November 2009 at 1:39pm | 
 
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   Not during labour but used it to try to bring on labour when 40+1. Also used acupressure from about 35 weeks. No luck but then Dan was a stubborn bugger!
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     Mum to two wee boys
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  | T_Rex   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 07 March 2007
 Location: PN
 Points: 2896
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 19 November 2009 at 1:49pm | 
 
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   My MW is also an acupunturist and uses it for pain during labour, but I haven't tried it yet and don't know exactly what she does. I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has tried it though?
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  | HoneybunsMa   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 01 February 2009
 Location: NZ
 Points: 1724
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 19 November 2009 at 2:09pm | 
 
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   Yep I've had acupuncture for this one. Not sure how effective it was as I was already in the real real early stages of labour. There are three spots they put it in, between the thumb and index finger in the fleshy part the other is in your ankle can't remember exactly where, the last is I think between your big and second toes. I didn't have this one done because I was a wuss lol.  MW came to see me at home put them in and told me to turn them every 10-15mins. The one on my left hand was causing my hand to twitch hardout so DP pulled it out. Left them in for an hour and every time DP went to twist them I tensed like you'd not believe although in reality it didn't hurt quite as much lol.  | 
 
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  | MamaT   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 07 November 2008
 Location: Nelson
 Points: 3149
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 19 November 2009 at 4:06pm | 
 
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   My MW is going to chat to me about accupuncture at my next appointment (next week), she performs it and will be doing it over the next few weeks and to help bring on labour if I go overdue. Being my first pregnancy I've never used it before for labour or birthing or anything but have for pain relief and healing from a physio and found it great, very relaxing
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  | tiptoes   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 05 November 2007
 Points: 2490
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 19 November 2009 at 5:11pm | 
 
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   I'm using it at the moment to prepare for labour and tomorrow she's going to put some in to try and bring it on, so will let you know how we go :)
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  | monster   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 02 November 2006
 Points: 1462
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 19 November 2009 at 8:09pm | 
 
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   I had it done by my MW when I was in labour.  It worked really well.  Before she started I had been having contractions come really close together, but not at consistent timings.  While she did it things really slowed down so I was able to sit still for a while (20 mins or so?) with the needle in and only had a couple of contractions.  Once it was over things built up again with a regular pace and increased intensity.  
 I'd say definitely give it a try if you're normally comfortable with acupuncture.
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  | HuntersMama   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 09 November 2008
 Location: Auckland
 Points: 1863
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 20 November 2009 at 9:29pm | 
 
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   I am looking for an acupuncturist at the moment and would like to give it a go. Ive never had acupuncture before, but it sounds like a good option.
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  | crafty1   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 03 July 2008
 Points: 1024
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 21 November 2009 at 9:18pm | 
 
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   Hmmm interesting stories thanks girls.  
 It is just so hard to know what to go for as you never know what it'll be like - last time was not too bad and we managed to avoid all pain relief and want the same this time around.  If it was like that i don't think i'd need it as the pain was quite manageable.  But then why feel even that much pain if you don't need to and there's no side effects.
 
 I'll see what she says when i see her next week.  i like the idea that the needles can be put in in early labour and i can manage them myself, so she wouldn't need to be there.
 
 Anyone used acupressure with any success.  I intended to last time but really didn't get around to it!
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  | Leahsmummy   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 13 January 2008
 Location: Palmerston North
 Points: 1774
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 22 November 2009 at 11:26am | 
 
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   My mw does it to, and she did it at 37 & 38 weeks to get baby to the right position the she done another one at 40 or when ever you go over and that is meant to help bring on Labour, but she also said it will only help bring on labour if your body is ready. 
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  | Babe   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 21 May 2007
 Location: New Zealand
 Points: 2936
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 22 November 2009 at 9:42pm | 
 
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   I asked my MW about acupuncture and she recommends it. We're gonna talk about it more at my next appt.
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