Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of supporting the stages of pregnancy, always aiming to create and maintain a harmonious environment. In the final weeks of pregnancy this remains true as we use acupuncture to balance the flow of Qi and Blood, aligning the natural rhythms and reactions of the body to support the natural progression of labour.

Birth Preparation treatments include a combination of standard set points to help prepare the body for birth along with personalized points to treat any late pregnancy symptoms. The results of a 2001 study showed that acupuncture points Hegu L.I.-4 & Sanyinjiao SP-6 support cervical ripening and can shorten the time between due date and actual delivery (3). A 2024 meta-analysis of seventeen clinical trials also noted a significant increase in the spontaneous onset of labour in those who received birth preparation acupuncture (2). Researchers have also suggested that the inclusion of points to address an individual’s constitution can further improve the effectiveness of treatments (3). 

For patients preparing to have an elective caesarean, specific points are used to support birth and recovery.  

We recommend beginning birth preparation treatments around 36 weeks, starting weekly with the ability to increase to twice weekly treatments as needed.

1. Rabl M, Ahner R, Bitschnau M, Zeisler H, Husslein P. Acupuncture for cervical ripening and induction of labor at term--a randomized controlled trial. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2001 Dec 17;113(23-24):942-6. PMID: 11802511.

2. Zamora-Brito, M., Fernandez-Jane, C., Perez-Guervos, R., Solans-Oliva, R., Arranz-Betegon, A., Palacio, M. 2024, The role of acupuncture in the present approach to labor induction: a systematic review and meta-analysis, American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM, vol 6, 2, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101272