“Patients who had acupuncture sessions before giving birth were very happy with how it turned out. Both the time spent in labor and the time spent pushing were far quicker. They said that they felt comfortable and relaxed, and they have very positive memories of the delivery.” Camille Bouiller, one of the midwives trained in maternity acupuncture at Hôpital de La Tour, was delighted with the results of this technique, which has been available since spring.
There are also a range of other alternative treatments available for maternity patients, including hypnosis, reflexology and osteopathy. Like acupuncture, these natural treatments can help to alleviate discomforts during pregnancy, at a time when you will be prescribed a large number of drugs already. They can also be an alternative solution for pain management during labor for women who would prefer not to have an epidural.
Two Midwives Trained in Acupuncture
While it was previously practiced on an ad-hoc basis, the use of acupuncture in maternity will be developed over the coming months, with two midwives specifically trained to provide the treatment. Acupuncture involves using a needle to precisely stimulate points along the body’s meridians. You can discuss with the gynecologist whether it is suitable for you, but it is a treatment that can benefit all women, and has no contra-indications.
An acupuncture session to prepare for labor may be proposed from the 36th week of pregnancy. Each session lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, and additional sessions may be arranged depending on how the pregnancy progresses. Preparatory sessions like these give women who are due to give birth the chance to get to know the midwives and to visit the maternity ward. “We want to create an environment where mothers-to-be can feel safe and reassured, so that they can have a the best possible experience during labor,” explains Camille Bouiller.
Acupuncture – Beneficial at Every Stage of Labor
Acupuncture can provide relief during pregnancy, but also before, during, and after delivery. It helps with discomforts during pregnancy, such as sickness, pain, and sleeplessness. Before you go into labor, acupuncture can help to prepare the cervix and the perineum, it can induce contractions, and it can also be used as a way to manage your emotional state.
The use of acupuncture in the delivery room can assist with the rhythm of contractions and cervical dilation, and can help ensure that the baby is positioned well and comes down the birth canal smoothly. Acupuncture can also be used as an alternative to the epidural for pain management. This natural treatment is also suitable after pregnancy as a way of alleviating any pain, improving energy flows, and stimulating production of milk for mothers who wish to breastfeed their baby.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please get in touch by email at: maternite@latour.ch