If you’re having a baby this spring your timing could not be better! Our CMO Dr. Sarah is welcoming her first this May (virtual visits through Replete will continue all summer, no worries) so you’re about to be hit with a ton of awesome birthing, pregnancy and baby content; starting with acupressure for an easier labour & delivery.

These are the acupressure points we’ll be using to aid cervical dilation, stimulate uterine contractions and help to promote baby’s downwards movement into the birth canal in a few short weeks. These acupressure points are intended to be utilized to help regulate contractions once early labor has started and to help reduce pain during the birth process. It’s also a great way to get your non-birthing partner involved in the delivery.

Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, the traditional Chinese medicine practice of inserting thin needles into strategic points of the body – but instead needles those same points are stimulated using firm massage or touch.

How to acupressure; simply have your birthing partner or doula apply firm pressure to these acupressure points during contractions & hold for 30 – 60 seconds.

While the evidence supporting the use of acupressure in labour & delivery is limited, one study did show that acupressure could be helpful for making labor a little shorter and reducing pain, plus a 2016 review found that acupressure can reduce the chance of having a cesarean delivery. Both big wins, in our book.

Additional Points

While the pictured acupressure points are our official go-to’s, the following points can also be used in your labour & delivery acupressure;