Acupressure: Foot Massage for Inducing Labor

If you’re a woman nearing the 40th or 42nd week of your pregnancy, doesn’t a thorough foot massage sound appealing? Well, it might be even more tempting after you learn that women just like you use acupressure foot massage for inducing labor.

It’s typical for a baby to arrive after his due date – in fact, only 30% of babies are born “on time” or early. But this can be tedious and uncomfortable for the anxious mother-to-be. Carrying a child can only be fun for so long. Doctors only recommend medical induction in critical cases where the mother and/or baby’s health is at risk.

Thankfully, there are dozens upon dozens of natural, at-home remedies that can induce your labor and even make it less painful and shorter once it’s underway. Some of these have their drawbacks but one of the most effective and safe techniques is an acupressure foot massage for inducing labor.

There are several acupressure points that induce labor naturally. Two of these key pressure points are on the area right above the inner ankle on her calf and the webbed part between her thumb and index finger. Pressing these points in a circular motion for about 60 seconds, every 2 hours, can actually induce labor! Acupressure foot massage is one of the best at-home labor inducing remedies, and many times those who go in for an acupuncture or acupressure appointment end up in labor 48 hours or so later.

But what is acupressure? Like acupuncture, acupressure is a Holistic Medical System and one form of Traditional Chinese Medicine, where the acupressure specialist simply applies pressure to various points along a person’s body. Today acupressure foot massage is more commonly used by pregnancy care professionals, midwives and doulas than ever before.

Acupressure’s popularity is on the increase, because compared to medical induction and even to herbs like black and blue cohosh and conventional remedies like drinking Caster Oil, the acupressure foot massage for inducing labor has absolutely no side effects or risk factors.

Inducing labor “naturally” or medically is not entirely recommended. Acupressure foot massage can make the process go by faster and less painfully for the woman, but ultimately a baby will come when he is ready to come. It’s important not to use acupressure foot massage before the due date in order to not cause a premature labor. After the due date acupressure is recommended in oreder to avoid chemical induction of labor.

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Acupressure to induce labor