| So, you've waited nine months and you're tired of | | | | the points you will learn may also be used during |
| waiting. And so is your doctor. But you're not | | | | labor to cope with contraction pain, it is beneficial |
| looking forward to the extra interventions that | | | | to have a basic working knowledge yourself. |
| you know are associated with a medical induction. | | | | Since it may be three o'clock in the morning and |
| Needles, IVs, lying on your back, epidural, | | | | no one else is up with you as you look for a |
| c-section. You need a way to induce labor at | | | | solution to an impending medical induction, you'll be |
| home and you need something that will actually | | | | pleased to know that many pressure points are |
| work. You don't have time for old wives' tale | | | | completely accessible to your own hands and |
| remedies. | | | | fingers. In fact, many women have been able to |
| It is possible to naturally self-induce labor using the | | | | stimulate their own labors by performing |
| techniques of acupressure. This holistic medical | | | | acupressure on themselves. With regular |
| system is similar to acupuncture but does not | | | | application of the techniques to the appropriate |
| require needles or even much training to perform. | | | | points, labor usually begins in 2 to 3 days. |
| It relies on a specific way of touching the body | | | | If you want something that will jump start your |
| on certain points that are associated with various | | | | labor without overwhelming your body, maternity |
| functions and effects throughout the body. Often | | | | acupressure is a great option to explore. Since it |
| the person being treated feels a deep sense of | | | | works with your body, it will not force your body |
| calm as acupressure works on the body: the | | | | to do something in an unnatural, overpowering |
| techniques encourage the body to function better | | | | way like many of the drugs commonly used to |
| in the way that it is designed to. | | | | induce labors. However, it is still important to have |
| The practice of acupressure dates to at least | | | | some idea of what you are doing and to not |
| 2000 B.C. Using it to augment or cope with labor | | | | attempt to induce labor until you are either 40 |
| is gaining popularity as women come away from | | | | weeks pregnant or scheduled for an induction |
| their birth experiences either "satisfied or very | | | | within 2 to 3 days. Since these techniques do |
| satisfied" with the effects of this form of | | | | produce the desired result of stimulating |
| traditional medicine. In part, this may be due to | | | | contractions and beginning labor, you wouldn't |
| the technique's flexibility and ease of use. It is | | | | want to risk a premature delivery of your baby. |
| entirely possible to learn the procedure and find | | | | Remember, also, to keep your practitioner |
| the pressure points on your own with a qualified | | | | informed of your attempts to induce labor, even |
| book or course. Specialists are available, so you | | | | if they are "natural." Are you ready to meet that |
| may seek one out if you truly feel you cannot | | | | baby? Make sure your hospital bags are packed, |
| manage the techniques. However, since many of | | | | because it's going to be soon! |