Friday, 19 June 2009

Acupressure Points to Avoid During Pregnancy

A short video about which acupressure points you should try to avoid during pregnancy. Because acupressure can induce labor, you need to know exactly what you're doing. Here is the video:



Avoid the abdomen, the lower back, the wrists and hands, ankles and feet. Unless, of course, you want to induce labor.


Wednesday, 17 September 2008

Could I Induce Labor Naturally with Maternity Acupressure?

by Lena Leino

You may have never heard of Maternity Acupressure before. It's not new in any sense; it has been practiced in the East for thousands of years. In the Western part of the world, especially America, it isn't a standard practice yet. Most people have heard of acupressure and you usually have to go searching for it. It usually isn't covered by your medical insurance. Word of maternity acupressure is spreading and more women are beginning to benefit from its amazing ability to help women who are overdue in their pregnancies, or even just in relieving pain and anxiety during labor.

Maternity Acupressure is the very simple and easy technique of applying pressure on the correct acupressure points for labor on the body and pressing on them for a certain amount of time. By stimulating the right acupoints it's possible to induce labor in a woman, help the baby descend, turn the baby's position, and help the cervix dilate, relive pain, help the contractions to progress.

You might be skeptical that by simply pressing on a few points on your skin could actually help with inducing labor. First let's understand how acupressure works. The Ancient Chinese came up with this finding that all living people have energy - a life force they call Chi. This Chi energy travels along paths through your body called meridians. The science is meridians and healing with acupressure points is very complicated and needs considerable amount of studying if you want to master them. Simplified, when we are sick or hurt or otherwise afflicted, our Chi is disrupted and doesn't flow properly. By treating acupressure points corresponding to the disruption, one could balance the energy flow and body heals itself. In Western countries acupressure and acupuncture are currently used mostly for pain relief. It has been shown that stimulation of specific acupuncture points causes the brain to release endorphins through the body. Endorphins are hormones that have a powerful painkilling effect. Additionally they create feelings of physical and mental well being.

If you want to use maternity acupressure to induce labor naturally yourself it is recommended that you do not do before your 39th week of pregnancy, or if you are already scheduled for medical labor induction. Maternity Acupressure has helped many women who have gone through an overdue pregnancy and wanted to avoid medical labor induction, or even cesarean section. Some birthing mothers using maternity acupressure points didn't even need drugs for labor pain because of the relief these techniques gave to them.

Maternity Acupressure can help you if you are facing the possibility or are already scheduled for a medical labor induction and want to try natural ways to induce labor. It's simple to learn and easy to apply. Anyone can do it, you, your partner, or your doula. Some of the points may be awkward to reach in a late term pregnancy so having someone else apply it for you might be much more pleasant. On top of being easy to do, labor acupressure is safe for you and the baby when you follow basic instructions. It causes no harm or after effects like drugs would from a medical labor induction. It also gives you a way to be in control of your body and be comfortable as you can be during your labor and birth.

About the Author:

Are you overdue and tired? You can encourage your labor to start naturally at home and avoid medical induction. Labor acupressure is a simple method that has proven to be effective and safe for the mother and the baby. Visit http://www.MaternityAcupressure.com/acupressure-induces-labor.html for more information. Article by Lena Leino, author of a new labor acupressure guide "Easier, Shorter and Safer Birth".

Monday, 28 July 2008

Maternity Acupressure's Success

by Karina B.

It is known by many people that Maternity Acupressure has helped a lot of women at the time of labor.

Childbirth is the culmination of a whole nine months process. It is very important that you are prepared mentally and physically for it. The truth is that most women feel scared, anxious and tense when that moment arrives.

For that reason it is vital that pregnant women stay calm and relaxed during childbirth and active labor. Stress can be especially dangerous for you and the baby. With higher blood pressure comes the danger of developing eclampsia.

Benefits of a natural childbirth:

- Less complications at labor
- Short time of delivery
- Reduces postpartum recovery
- Mother will have a wonderful and unforgettable experience, and will be in control of her mind and body, finding positions that helps her more comfortable during labor.
- The baby will arrive in a safe and healthier environment. Without any harm or side effects.

When you have control of your body, muscles relaxes, pain ceases, and your cervix starts dilating faster. Personally, Maternity Acupressure is the perfect technique to help you reach that point with the simple ability to apply pressure to specific points on your body. You can try it at home, at the hospital, lying on bed, in the bathtub. You do not need any special skills or equipment. Your partner can help you, too.

Maternity Acupressure is the best gift you can give to yourself and your baby.


About the Author

Are you pregnant and would like to have a natural childbirth without be induced by drugs? Check out Maternity Acupressure

Monday, 23 June 2008

Is Acupressure A Safe Method During Pregnancy?

by Kary B

What is Acupressure?

Acupressure is an excellent therapy that relaxes muscles, improves circulation, relieves pain and reduces stress by using the power and sensitivity of the human hand.

Why Do People Use Acupressure?

People may use acupressure for different reasons:

· nausea and vomiting during pregnancy/ morning sickness

· motion sickness

· nausea after surgery

· nausea due to chemotherapy

· cancer-related fatigue

· headache

· menstrual cramps

· muscle tension and pain

When I myself first learned about acupressure it was a little over two years ago when I became pregnant for the very first time with my son, Bryan. During the first three months of my pregnancy I was one of the "fortunate women" who suffered the dreadful morning sickness symptoms. After several weeks of nausea and being sick a colleague who is also a good friend of mine spoke to me about acupressure and the benefits of it. Being the skeptic that I am and a nonbeliever of alternative medicine, I was not convinced. I continued on with my doctor's professional medical advice; always have crackers on the side of your bed so that you have immediate access to them should you become nauseas, it will coat your stomach, avoid greasy food, drink liquids in abundance between meals, buy pregnancy lollipops, etc.

Well, needless to say I tried each and every one of those recommendations and none helped me with my morning sickness. At this point I found myself desperate for a solution so I decided to go with my friend's recommendation on the acupressure, at this point I had nothing to lose with trying it.

The technique I must say is different, different for those who are not use to it, but different in a positive way. I continued with the acupressure techniques for about a week and noticed a big difference in my health. My morning sickness, slowly but surely began to cease, my body felt less stressed, my headaches diminished and for the first time in two months I was able to relax. I decided to continue with acupressure until I was unable it became uncomfortable due to my growing baby.

I highly recommend buying the book Maternity Acupressure written by Dr. Lena Leino. You can find more info at http://maternity-acupressure.com

Saturday, 17 May 2008

Acupressure For Labor

By Lena Leino

Acupressure is a holistic system that builds on what the body is already doing right. In this way, the use of acupressure can be remarkably beneficial during labor. Acupressure can be very helpful in descending your baby, dilating your cervix, and making the contractions more frequent and successful. Acupressure shortens the delivery time by helping your body to use its remarkable underlying capabilities better, thus reducing the risk that your baby gets distressed or suffers, in any other way, from a prolonged labor.

Additionally, acupressure can be used to induce labor of a full-time pregnancy. Encouraging your labor to start is a very tempting option when you have reached your 42nd pregnancy week. Studies show that acupressure and the Japanese technique of “shiatsu” induce labor quite effectively. Actually, acupressure is one of the natural labor inducing remedies that has scientifically been shown to work effectively. This is why acupressure is a favorite technique among pregnant women to induce labor.

Acupressure is easy to master without previous experience. Most importantly, it has no side effects. Thus, acupressure is strongly recommendable than medical induction, or the many other “at-home” remedies, which could be dominated with side effects.

Because of the potential for inducing labor, it is important that you know a thing or two about what you are doing. Do not attempt certain acupressure techniques until after your due date, so as not to trigger labor prematurely.

Acupressure, however, can be used safely before and throughout labor to relieve many discomforts and painful conditions. It is a great technique for fathers-to-be to learn because it is a proactive way to get involved in the labor, to give special relief for loved ones.

Most women need some form of pain alleviation during labor. Many mothers, however, do not want medication during labor for a variety of reasons, and acupressure provides a viable option to pain-relieving drugs. Acupressure can significantly ease the stress and reduce pain of childbirth without causing any side effects of drugs. In many cases, acupressure can at least reduce, if not compensate, the amount of anesthesia used in an epidural procedure in which medication is administered into the spine. In addition to relieving pain, acupressure has been shown to shorten labor and combat exhaustion by increasing your energy.

Acupressure would not reduce your contractions or cause them to stop, unlike what epidural and other labor pain medications tend to do. Below, you will discover one of the most effective acupressure points to use for labor pain relief.

Three Yin Intersection (SP6): This point is four finger-widths above the ankle next to the bone on the inside of the leg. Look for a tender spot. This point is helpful in lessening labor pains, but it can also stimulate contractions and ripen cervix. So, do not try this point until you are far enough in your pregnancy to safely induce labor.

Giving birth is one of the most miraculous things you will ever experience. Acupressure is, by far, the best and safest way to lessen your labor pain and stress without having to resort to chemicals.

Are you overdue and tired? You can encourage your labor to start naturally at home and avoid medical induction. Labor acupressure is a simple method that has proven to be effective and safe for the mother and the baby. The most effective acupressure points that naturally induce labor, give labor pain relief and help in any stage you might get stuck in during you labor, are revealed in a new labor acupressure guide "Easier, Shorter and Safer Birth" by Lena Leino. Visit http://www.MaternityAcupressure.com for more information.

Monday, 14 April 2008

Ways to Dilate Faster

by Barbara Lake

This text discusses the reasons behind inducing birth and the whether the need is sufficient to warrant ways to dilate faster. Also discussed are the most common and widely acclaimed solutions to invoke labor.

There are many reasons that ways to dilate faster, are a sought after topic.

If the child is overdue and is achieving a size that will complicate a smooth delivery, induction may be warranted. Another common reason is if the term has passed the 42 week mark. Intrauterine fetal growth retardation or (IUGR) carries a strong argument for inducing birth as it can lead to complications later on in life for the child in question.

The avoidance of certain health risks to the mother during pregnancy, namely "pre-eclampsia", is of paramount importance and would be a convincing factor for induction.Another strong argument for inducing labor is (PROM) or Premature rupture of the membranes. This is when labor has not begun within a specific timeframe, yet the membranes have already ruptured.Fetal death in utero is quite obviously compel medical staff to induce and is not really relavant here, but mentioned for completeness.

Induced labor should only be an option when medical reasons are in play and not for personal convenience, as seems to be the case more and more in this day and age.
When refering to "personal convenience", I of course not just refering to the patient, but the doctor too.

The practice of induction is discussed widely as if it is condoned, even encouraged by the medical profession, which is a gross exaggeration on a whole. Induced labor can be rather painful for women and in so doing warrants an increased need for pain relieving pharmaceuticals, or analgesics. This in turn has been demonstrated to increase the likelihood of the need for a caesarean section, in order to deliver the child.

By far the most dangerous sounding method is a method referred to as "membrane sweeping". This method comprises, the midwife seperating or stimulating the membranes around the baby from the cervix. This results in a release of prostaglandins which are known to kick start labor. Breaking the water, or artificially rupturing the membranes (ARM) is another method that will not be discussed in detail here.
Pharmaceutically enhanced methods include, applying prostaglandin, such as dinoprostone or misoprostol to the cervix, and intravenously administering of synthetic oxytocin, such as Pitocin.
There are more "natural" methods available to induce labor, such as the use of herbs, reflexology, accupressure, sex and castor oil. Although these methods all have their individual loyal following, they never the less have no real proven safety and so should not be attempted without consultation with a physician.

Having said that, it does appear that the most popular and widely regarded as the safest method is, accupressure.

If this method appeals to you, then please feel free to check these reviews on expert packages and advice.

Unless deemed necessary for medical reasons, no method of induction should be attempted before the 37 week mark of gestation. In fact, all attempts at ways to dilate faster should be accompanied by your doctor.


About the Author

Maintainer of Healthy-HQ.info and part time writer.

Wednesday, 19 March 2008

Are You Planning to Have Accupuncture to Induce Labor?

by Lena Leino

Accupuncture is an old holistic method to help the body to work better. That's why accupuncture is being used to induce labor as well. Accupuncture is widely used in the East and West and some acupuncture specialists do help expectant women to induce labor when their pregnancies become overdue. They insert very thin needles into specific accupuncture points to induce labor. However, did you know that these accupoints could be treated without any needles? Applying pressure with fingertips on accupuncture points is called accupressure. Indeed, you could use accupressure to induce labor instead of accupuncture, and do it your self, at home!

Accupressure techniques have been around maybe even longer that accupuncture. Maternity accupressure method is proven safe and effective for inducing labor, unlike many other natural labor inducing remedies or medications that can cause a more painful labor and could be risky for both the mother and child.

An effective holistic method is Maternity Accupressure. It has been shown to, not only to induce labor, but it makes giving birth easier and helps remove much of the pain associated with childbirth. A common way to start labor is to use chemicals or medications; nonetheless, it does come with its risks. This is a safe and natural way to induce labor without the complications and effects of medications. Accupressure for labor has been used by thousands of birthing women and is safe, effective, and doesn't carry risky side effects.

In fact, many labor health care workers and professionals are recognizing the advantages that labor accupressure techniques offer and are encouraging women who are past their due dates to utilize the benefits of accupressure before agreeing to induce labor with pharmaceuticals.

A recent controlled study shows that women who were given labor accupressure treatments after they were past their due dates experienced a natural onset of labor significantly more often than those women whose accupressure points for labor were not treated (Complement Ther. Med. 2005). This study shows how those who use labor and delivery accupressure methods see better results as opposed to those who don't use accupressure methods.

Studies prove that accupressure helps to encourage the onset of labor while reducing the pain that accompanies it. Several mothers that tried this natural techniques said it was highly effective at helping to start their labor at home and/or at relieving the labor pains. Most of the supporting partners reported that this method gave them tools to be truly helpful during labor. The frustration of not being able to help the birthing mother is common among fathers and other supporting care-givers, and thus this hands-on method gave them a way to actively be part of the unique life event. Additionally, many birthing mothers were amazed, at how effectively their inexperienced partners were able to induce labor, control the pain and help them with many other accompanying discomforts, just by using simple Maternity Accupressure techniques.

About the Author:

Discover how Maternity Accupressure can be used to induce labor without the use of medications. Using accupressure to induce labor naturally is an effective method to encourage labor to progress; it can help the baby to drop, ripen the cervix and start contractions. To discover more visit http://www.MaternityAcupressure.com