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Pressure Points to Induce Labor: A Comprehensive Guide to Acupressure

Women's HealthReproductive HealthHome Remedies & Self-Care
Pressure Points to Induce Labor: A Comprehensive Guide to Acupressure

Key points

  • Increase blood flow to the uterus.
  • Influence the release of hormones like oxytocin, which stimulates contractions.
  • Aid in cervical ripening (softening and thinning).
  • Help the baby descend into an optimal birthing position.

As your due date approaches—and perhaps passes—it's natural to feel anxious and eager to meet your baby. This often leads expectant parents to explore natural methods to encourage labor, with acupressure being one of the most frequently discussed options. Acupressure is an ancient practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that involves applying firm pressure to specific points on the body.

This comprehensive guide synthesizes information from medical journals, health experts, and user forums to provide a balanced look at using pressure points for labor induction, focusing on techniques, scientific evidence, and crucial safety guidelines.

Understanding Acupressure for Labor Induction

According to TCM, acupressure works by manipulating the body's vital energy, or "qi" (pronounced "chee"). This energy is believed to flow through pathways called meridians. When the flow of qi is blocked or imbalanced, health issues can arise. By applying pressure to specific points, practitioners aim to restore balance and promote the body's natural processes, including childbirth.

From a modern medical standpoint, stimulating these points is thought to potentially:

  • Increase blood flow to the uterus.
  • Influence the release of hormones like oxytocin, which stimulates contractions.
  • Aid in cervical ripening (softening and thinning).
  • Help the baby descend into an optimal birthing position.

Does Acupressure Actually Work? Science vs. Anecdotal Evidence

Walk into any online pregnancy forum, and you'll find countless stories from women who swear that a foot massage or hand pressure sent them into labor within hours. This wealth of anecdotal evidence is a primary reason for acupressure's popularity.

The scientific community, however, remains cautiously optimistic. Research on the topic has yielded mixed results.

  • A 2017 Cochrane review found no clear evidence that acupressure could reliably induce labor or shorten its duration when compared to a placebo.
  • However, other studies suggest potential benefits beyond just starting labor. A 2014 randomized controlled trial found that women who used acupressure on the LI4 point experienced a statistically significant reduction in labor pain, though it didn't shorten labor. Similarly, a small 2010 study noted that stimulating the SP6 point might significantly reduce the length of active labor.
  • More recently, a 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM suggested that acupuncture may be beneficial in reducing the rate of medical labor induction.

The consensus: While acupressure isn't a guaranteed way to start labor, it is a low-risk intervention that may help prepare the body for childbirth, potentially leading to a shorter and less painful experience.

A diagram showing the main acupressure points on the hands, feet, and back for labor induction.

Source: Healthline

Key Pressure Points to Stimulate Labor

If you have received approval from your healthcare provider, you can try stimulating the following points. Apply firm, deep pressure for 1-3 minutes, rest, and repeat.

Spleen 6 (SP6) - Sanyinjiao

  • Location: Find the peak of your inner ankle bone. SP6 is located four finger-widths directly above this point, on the back side of your shinbone (tibia).
  • Technique: Use your index finger or thumb to apply firm, deep pressure to this point. It can feel tender.
  • Purpose: This is one of the most versatile points in acupuncture and is believed to influence the cervix and uterus, helping with ripening and contractions. This point should be avoided for most of pregnancy.

Large Intestine 4 (LI4) - Hegu

  • Location: In the fleshy webbing on the back of your hand, between the base of your thumb and index finger.
  • Technique: Pinch this area with the thumb and index finger of your other hand and apply soft to firm pressure in a circular massaging motion.
  • Purpose: LI4 is well-known for pain relief (especially headaches) and is thought to cause uterine contractions. This is another point to strictly avoid until you are full-term and ready to encourage labor.

Bladder 60 (BL60) - Kunlun

  • Location: In the depression located between your ankle bone and your Achilles tendon.
  • Technique: Use your thumb to apply light pressure and gently massage the point for a few minutes.
  • Purpose: This point is used to promote labor, ease labor pain, and may help the baby descend.

Bladder 32 (BL32) - Ciliao

  • Location: In the lower back, within the dimples of the buttocks. You can find it by running your fingers down your spine until you are just above your tailbone.
  • Technique: Press firmly on the point with your knuckles or thumb, massaging downward toward the buttock. This is often easier for a partner to do.
  • Purpose: Research from ScienceDirect suggests that pressure on BL32 can be effective at reducing labor pain and is thought to trigger contractions.

Pericardium 8 (PC8) - Laogong

  • Location: In the center of your palm. You can find it by making a loose fist; the point is where the tip of your middle finger lands.
  • Technique: Use the thumb of your other hand to apply light pressure and massage for a few seconds.
  • Purpose: Known as the "Labor Palace," this point is believed to be very useful in encouraging labor to begin.

Safety First: When and How to Use Acupressure

Trustworthiness and safety are paramount. While acupressure is a natural approach, it is still a form of medical intervention and should be treated with respect and caution.

The Right Timing

It is crucial to wait until your pregnancy is considered full-term (at least 37 weeks) before trying any labor induction techniques. Many practitioners and doctors, including those cited by WebMD, recommend waiting until you are 39 or 40 weeks along.

Always consult your doctor or midwife before starting. They can confirm if acupressure is safe for you based on your health history and your baby's position.

Important Contraindications

Certain pressure points, especially SP6 and LI4, are contraindicated throughout most of pregnancy because of their strong ability to stimulate the uterus. Only use these points when you are full-term and actively trying to encourage labor under medical guidance. Avoid acupressure if you have a high-risk pregnancy, a history of bleeding, or other complications, unless specifically advised by your healthcare provider.

Comparing Acupressure to Other Natural Induction Methods

Acupressure is just one of many natural methods people try to kick-start labor. Here's how it compares to others mentioned by sources like Novant Health:

  • Walking/Curb Walking: Gentle exercise can help the baby engage in the pelvis. It’s safe and often recommended.
  • Sex: Semen contains prostaglandins, which can help ripen the cervix, and orgasm can cause mild uterine contractions. Evidence is mostly theoretical.
  • Nipple Stimulation: This is one of the more effective methods as it releases oxytocin. However, it can cause strong, frequent contractions and should only be done with guidance from a provider.
  • Eating Dates or Spicy Food: Some studies suggest eating dates can help with cervical ripening, but neither is proven to induce labor.
  • Castor Oil: While it may cause uterine contractions due to its laxative effect, most medical professionals advise against it. It can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration, which can lead to stress for both mother and baby.

Unlike some of these other methods, acupressure is non-invasive and primarily focuses on relaxation and balancing the body, with fewer side effects when performed correctly.

The Bottom Line

Using pressure points to induce labor is a practice that blends ancient tradition with modern curiosity. While the jury is still out on its scientific effectiveness for starting labor, there is promising evidence that it can help prepare the body, reduce pain, and shorten the duration of labor.

It offers a safe, low-risk way for expectant parents to feel proactive and connected during the final days of pregnancy. The most important step is to have an open conversation with your healthcare provider to ensure it's the right choice for you and your baby.

References:

Sofia Rossi, MD

About the author

Sofia Rossi, MD
OB-GYN

Sofia Rossi, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist with over 15 years of experience in high-risk pregnancies and reproductive health. She is a clinical professor at a top New York medical school and an attending physician at a university hospital.