Prebirth Acupuncture is acupuncture to optimize your body so that it is ready to delivery naturally. You come in for a series of weekly treatments beginning at week 36 of your pregnancy.
If you have not tried other TCM Pregnancy Treatments but want to ensure a smooth delivery, Prebirth Acupuncture is just what you need!
Preparing for birth using acupuncture is not the same as inducing labor. Acupuncture treatment to prepare for birth will not and cannot bring on labor at will. Your baby will only arrive when ready.
We have at least 10 years of experience working in 2 birth clinics and working with pregnant women recommended by doulas in Singapore.
Prebirth acupuncture reduces the need for emergency C-sections, increases the chances of vaginal delivery and reduces the time you spend in active labor.
Prebirth acupuncture also reduces the need for epidurals and inductions. This is especially important if you prefer these not to be included in the birth plan.
Overall, Prebirth Acupuncture is meant to prepare your body for a smoother process of labor.
We can only share from our experience working with both turning a breech and Prebirth Acupuncture.
Women usually come in to turn a breech baby slightly earlier between 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy. Sometimes they come in later, like close to week 38, but these are less common. Women come in for prebirth acupuncture from week 36 onwards, and stay all the way up until they deliver.
When implementing acupuncture to turn a breech, we use acupuncture points that help ‘nudge’ a baby into turning into a head-down position. When implementing Prebirth Acupuncture, we don’t even try to move the baby too much from week 36 onward, but from week 38 on, we do start gently using some acupuncture points that help with increasing blood flow in the pelvis. Past the EDD, we employ even stronger acupuncture points to help bring on labor. The method of acupuncture is slightly different, and the choice of acupuncture points are also different than those used to turn a breech.
NHS hospital maternity annual data from 2014-2014 was assessed to see what effect prebirth acupuncture had on labor and delivery outcome. These were the findings by Lokugamage et al (2020):
Are you a first-time mum who wants to optimize conditions for your birth? The process of birth is complex and involves a multitude of factors. While we cannot always control the process, we may be able to put in place certain interventions that might make the process easier.
We know from a study by Kubista and Kucera (1974) that acupuncture had the effect of shortening mean labor time Another study by Zeisler et al (1998) affirmed this finding, concluding that “acupuncture treatment is a recommendable form of childbirth preparation due to its positive effect on the duration of labor, namely by shortening the 1st stage of labor.” In the study, the acupuncture group had a median duration of 196 minutes compared to 321 minutes in the control group.
Pregnancies in women over age 40 are more risky, which also explains the higher rates of cesarean deliveries. Prebirth Acupuncture Treatments may help to prepare the body for natural vaginal birth, especially when maternal age is considered a risk factor.
Handayani and Balgis (2019) successfully implemented prebirth acupuncture on 2 women who then went on to deliver naturally, without need for a cesarean intervention.
Research by Rabl (2001) showed that acupuncture shortened duration from due date to delivery by almost 3 days. 4 out of 45 women were delivered within 24 hours of their first acupuncture treatment, while no women in the control group delivered within 24 hours of their first examination. In the end, only 20% in the acupuncture group was medically induced, compared to 35% in the control group.
”All first-time mothers under my care from October 2000 to February 2001 agreed to have prebirth acupuncture, once a week for three weeks.
These were their outcomes (note that estimates of duration of ‘normal’ labor are around 14 hours for primigravida and eight hours for multigravida):
Janice: normal birth, 5-hour labor;
Andrea: normal birth, 9-hour labor;
Robin: normal birth, 6-hour labor;
Suzette: normal birth, 7-hour labor;
Nicky: water birth, 7-hour labor;
Rachael: normal birth, 7-hour labor.
– Nicky Costello (midwife, USA)
An observational study of 169 women in Wellington, New Zealand, shows how acupuncture to prepare for birth may:
In addition, if your birth plan hopes to exclude inductions and epidurals, prebirth acupuncture may
When you come for acupuncture to prepare for birth, your practitioner will also address other issues that you might be facing during this last leg of your pregnancy.
Yes, acupuncture can help prepare the body for birth by promoting relaxation, encouraging optimal baby positioning, reducing pelvic tension, and potentially stimulating the cervix and uterus once the body is ready.
Pre-birth acupuncture refers to a series of weekly treatments from around 36–37 weeks of pregnancy, aimed at preparing the body for labor by softening the cervix, relaxing the pelvis, and supporting hormone regulation.
For birth preparation, acupuncture is typically started at 36 or 37 weeks. If used to help induce labor, it may begin around 39–40 weeks, depending on individual readiness and health conditions.
Many women find acupuncture helpful for managing early pregnancy symptoms like nausea, fatigue, and anxiety, and for supporting fertility and uterine health. While individual results vary, research shows promising benefits when performed by a qualified practitioner.
Acupuncture may help promote cervical ripening by improving blood flow to the uterus and stimulating hormone release, which could contribute to cervical softening if the body is close to labor.
Acupuncture for fertility is often started 3–6 months before trying to conceive. It may be timed to support ovulation, regulate menstrual cycles, and reduce stress, and is often used alongside fertility treatments if applicable.
Possible downsides include mild bruising, temporary soreness, or feeling lightheaded. While rare, improper technique could trigger strong contractions or interfere with medical interventions if not coordinated with your birth team.
Acupuncture can encourage the body to start labor naturally by stimulating specific points that influence uterine activity. It’s typically most effective when the body is already close to going into labor.
Acupuncture can be started as early as the first trimester to help with symptoms like nausea, and then continued as needed throughout pregnancy for support. Pre-birth sessions usually begin around 36–37 weeks.
Yes, acupuncture is generally safe at 37 weeks if done by a trained practitioner. At this stage, it’s often used to promote relaxation and help prepare the body for labor without medical induction.
Soma Clinic is a top TCM clinic in Singapore for prebirth acupuncture. Dr. Mark Chern has deep experienced in working with pregnant women from the first trimester through to postpartum. More than a decade ago, he was working in 2 natural birthing clinic in Indonesia, and that was where it all started. He hold a doctorate in Chinese Medicine from Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine and part of his expertise is in treating skin conditions – see www.chinesedoc.sg.
We do a fantastic job of assisting you if you are trying to conceive, are pregnant, or experiencing challenges after birth.
© Copyright 2023 All Right Reserved Soma Clinic
