Inducement by Acupuncture

[zumbamama]

I was medically induced the first time, for what seemed like a whole day...but it didn't do anything. I never dilated and just laid around in agony for hours before they resorted to C-section. I wish I had known about acupuncture then, as it might have helped with either the induction or the pain.

[Anonymous]

I tried acupuncture twice and it did not induce labor, but it did produce stronger contractions that puttered out after a few hours. I did try a breast pump and went into labor the next day.The breast pump method carries some risk if done incorrectly, so research and/or check with the midwife first.

According to everything I have read, these more natural methods only help to tip you over the edge if you are ready to go.

[Anonymous]

I've never seen an acupunturist before but am willing to try if it would help me avoid an induction. I'm due next Friday (20th), but scheduled for an induction next Wed (18th). I have a DD that was 9lb 14oz at 40w2d and they are estimating this baby to be about the same size. My biggest hope is to avoid a c-sec and deliver vaginally again, but I'm worried that an induction will lead to a c-sec and would prefer to get labor started on my own.

I am cutting this very close, but does anyone have a recommendation for an acupuncurist in the Alexandria-area that they recommend? I'm getting desperate.

[Anonymous]

My acupuncturist tells me that she's had a great success rate in helping start labor and turn around breech babies. I've had an amazing experience with her pre-pregnancy and throughout my pregnancy so far (now 29 weeks). Her name is Monika Rukus and she's in Chevy Chase on Connecticut Ave just south of the beltway.

[Anonymous]

Reviving this thread to ask if anyone has used acupuncture to, in their opinion, move labor along and, if so, if you could please recommend your acupuncturist if he/she is in northern virginia? (Trying to get things started naturally, scheduled for medically necessary induction, a decision I am comfortable with and will proceed with it if no luck, but want to try all other options also.) TIA!

[Anonymous]

Bump!
could anyone recommend a good accupuncturist/reflexologist in DC for bringing on labor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bump!
could anyone recommend a good accupuncturist/reflexologist in DC for bringing on labor?

Kelly Welch on 18th and I. Or Mary Rieger on Capitol Hill.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

How weird that this old thread I started 2 years ago has come up again today. I am the OP and I went for 2 acupuncture visits with Dr Deng at 18th and I Street. I had some mild twinges during my visits, but nothing resembling labor so I opted to go straight for a c-section. It was my belief that if acupuncture couldn't get my baby to budge, she wasn't meant to come out that way. And my gut feeling was right because I ended up delivering a 9lb 14oz baby with a 15inch head. She would never have been able to come out the old fashioned way and I would have ended up with an emergency c section.

I do still thoroughly believe in acupuncture and have been going during my pregnancy with #2 to relieve my discomfort and help me sleep. If I didn't carry such big babies I'm sure it would work for me. #2 looks like he/she will be at least as big #1 and I have full placenta previa this time so I'll unfortunately be having another c-section.

[Anonymous]

I had to cancel an appt with an acupuncturist today -- I was due on Saturday -- because my OB objected. I figured I'd better clear whatever I do with her and she had someone from her office call me back to say she wouldn't recommend it, without saying why. I"m pretty frustrated because I'm scheduled to be induced Thursday morning and would like to try everything I can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had to cancel an appt with an acupuncturist today -- I was due on Saturday -- because my OB objected. I figured I'd better clear whatever I do with her and she had someone from her office call me back to say she wouldn't recommend it, without saying why. I"m pretty frustrated because I'm scheduled to be induced Thursday morning and would like to try everything I can.

If your due date was this past Saturday, why are you going to be induced on Thursday? Its fine and NORMAL to go up to 42weeks gestation. Cancel that induction!

[Anonymous]

I tried acupuncture. It did not start labor. I was induced when I was 16 days late.

I had to laugh when the acupuncturist told me she had an 80% success rate. Of course it seemed like acupuncture was sending everyone into labor since all her clients were past their due date!

That said, it's easy and worth a shot--this was my reasoning, at least.

[Anonymous]

I am the one who dug out the thread. thanks, PPs. What would be the avg. price for such a session w/accupuncturist?

PP who is being induced Thursday - did you do NST/fluid check? if not why do they induce so early?

[Anonymous]

I was induced (pit) with #1 at 37 wks due to high BP. With #2 I was seeing an acupuncturist for high BP the whole pregnancy. At 37 wks he told me that he would start doing some things that would help get me ready for labor. The night I saw him (well, 4.30 am next morning) I went into labor (37wk, 1d) and had the baby that day. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I went to acupuncture when I was 5 days past due date, went into labor about 12 hours later, and had my baby 24 hours after that. I'm not sure if it was the acupuncture, the spicy Mexican dinner I had the night before, or just that my baby was ready.

[Anonymous]

Not sure how much others pay, but my acupuncturist takes my insurance so I only pay a co-pay. He doesn't take my mother's insurance so she pays $80 per 30 minute visit.