Acupressure for Pregnancy and Childbirth
I began writing about acupressure techniques for pain relief in Labour in 1996. This free online booklet detailed techniques I had been teaching to midwives/couples and their support people and to the best of my knowledge, was the first time acupressure was presented as an alternative to using acupuncture during labour. There was immediate interest and acupressure is now promoted by acupuncturists and birthing professionals internationally. There is also quality research reporting acupressure during labour reduced the incidence of caesarean sections (1) and the need for epidurals and caesarean sections when used as part of a complimentary antenatal intervention. (2) It is my hope that acupressure continues to be developed as a technique to facilitate positive birthing experiences and I welcome any feedback on the updated hand outs below detailing how you can use these points.
PDF's you can download
Acupressure for Pain relief in Labour Handout.pdf (528.3 KB)
Birth Preparation using Acupressure.pdf (415.3 KB)
Using Acupresuure on yourself for Pain relief in Labour Handout _QM6OhNp.pdf (456.6 KB)
The videos below demonstrate the point location.
Information on AcuPoint Stimulation in pregnancy and postpartum
Link to original Acupressure PDF and translations
Link to Evidence Based Birth Website: Free anenatal classes - Birthing in the time of Covid 19
Free access to a birthing video from Kathy Frays MotherWise resources
References
1 Smith CA, Collins CT, Levett KM, Armour M, Dahlen HG, Tan AL, Mesgarpour B. (2020) Acupuncture or acupressure for pain management during labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD009232. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009232.pub2
2 Levett, Kate M., Smith, C.A., Bensoussan, A. & Dahlen, H.G. (2016). Complementary therapies for labour and birth study: a randomised controlled trial of antenatal integrative medicine for pain management in labour. BMJ Open, 2016 Jul 12;6(7):e010691. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010691.