Cervical ripening vs. Labour Induction: a comparison
Community Acupuncture & Preparation for Child Birth
Community Acupuncture is extremely helpful for supporting pre and post-natal conditions. It is natural, drug-free, minimally invasive and focuses on preventative care to ensure optimally positive outcomes, not to mention being accessible, affordable and community-based!
Acupuncture can do SO MUCH MORE than Labour Induction! The objective is to promote positive outcomes in the weeks leading UP TO childbirth as well as decreasing pain and complications during and after childbirth. Acupuncture can support and prepare the body for a more effective, natural vaginal birth. It has also been shown to decrease the incidence of complications such as the need for medical induction and/or cesarian section.
We hope this article provides some useful information comparing and contrasting the definition, timing and benefits of Cervical Ripening vs Labour Induction. For more information about how Community Acupuncture can be useful throughout earlier stages of pregnancy, check out, Pokes For Pregnancy: Community Acupuncture For Happy, Healthy Mothers & Babies
Christina Chan, R.Ac. & Sarah Strohan, R.Ac.,R.TCMP.
What is cervical ripening?
Cervical ripening is the softening/ripening/dilation of the cervix to prepare for the birthing process. The cervix is stiff, long and closed for most of the pregnancy to secure the fetus in the uterus. In order for the baby to pass through the cervix during labour, the cervix must be soft, thin and open. Cervical ripening often happens on its own naturally, but many people benefit from assisting the body through this process.
Multiple studies have shown the benefits of acupuncture in preparing the body for birth and assisting the cervix to ripen. Cervical ripening Acupuncture can begin safely at 35-36 weeks (approx 4 weeks prior to the expected due date) and is used to encourage beneficial hormonal responses for labour preparation and encourage the baby to move into an optimal position.
Cervical ripening treatments can be done weekly until you reach your due date, you can then discuss increasing frequency. Studies and clinical experience have shown us that cervical ripening treatments help to shorten the period between the due date and the actual delivery date as well as to decrease the need for invasive medical induction treatments.
Why is cervical ripening is important?
Cervical readiness is an important factor in labour induction. That is because induction, regardless of the method (medical, acupuncture/pressure, herbal), can cause uterine contractions. However, if your cervix isn’t adequately dilated and thinned, and your baby hasn’t moved downward, then the contractions may not result in efficient labour progression. This may make having a vaginal delivery more difficult. Hence, the importance of receiving 3-4 weeks of preparatory acupuncture sessions to soften and ready the cervix for this process.
For the past decade, from our experience of providing prenatal acupuncture at Heart & Hands, we have found that clients (and their midwives) who receive treatment for cervical ripening report going into labour more readily and labour progresses more effectively. Therefore, our preference is to encourage clients to schedule sessions weeks in advance before their due date.
Common Reasons for Labour induction?
What is Cervical Ripening?
Commencing around 35-36 weeks
What is Labour Induction?
Commencing around 38-39 weeks
Did you know? Heart & Hands offers safe, drug-free and affordable care throughout your pregnancy journey, whether you are trying to conceive, managing the symptoms and discomforts during, preparing to give birth or needing post-partum support, we are the place! Find out more, Pokes for pregnancy: Community Acupuncture for happy, healthy parents & babies.
