Acupuncture for Labour & Birth

Labour Preparation with Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a gentle, natural way to help your body get ready for birth. From 36 weeks onwards, weekly treatments can support cervical ripening, optimal baby positioning, and relaxation, helping you feel calm and prepared. Research suggests that pre-birth acupuncture may help shorten labour duration and reduce the need for medical interventions.

Acupuncture for Labour Induction

If you have gone past your due date, acupuncture may help encourage labour naturally by supporting uterine activity and hormonal balance. This is not a medical induction, but a gentle way to stimulate the body's natural readiness for labour when it is safe to do so.

Turning a Breech Baby with Acupuncture and Moxibustion

When a baby is in a breech position, acupuncture and moxibustion (a gentle heat therapy using mugwort) may help encourage optimal positioning. Research suggests that moxa, applied to a specific acupuncture point on the foot, may increase the likelihood of a baby turning head-down, particularly when used between 32 and 36 weeks. This is a safe, non-invasive approach that can be done in the clinic and continued at home.

If you’re in the final weeks of pregnancy and would like to explore how acupuncture can support a healthy, natural birth, book a session today at my Christchurch, Dorset clinic.