Holistic labor pain relief

Acupressure helps to prevent episiotomy and tearing during labor

Tearing or cutting of the perineum during childbirth is one of every pregnant woman’s worst fears. It can be painful, and especially episiotomy can cause pain and side-effects that last for quite some time. No one wants to deal with the pain and discomfort of stitches on such a sensitive part of the body after having gone through the ordeal of childbirth.

The perineum is the area between the anus and the vagina, and the baby’s head can sometimes tear this tissue during birth. Doctors also sometimes perform an incision to the perineum, called an episiotomy. For years, doctors believed that an episiotomy would not only cause less pain and fewer problems than a tear, but they believed it would actually prevent tearing from taking place. This has proven not to be the case, however. In fact, the incision can actually get a tear started, just as a cut can start a tear in a sheet of paper. And both episiotomy incisions and perineum tears can cause sexual problems and incontinence.

Obstetricians continue to perform episiotomies regularly, despite the research. It has become so common that some doctors continue it almost like a bad habit. The Washington Post reported in 2005 that episiotomies are still performed in one-third of U.S. births. If you don’t wish to have an episiotomy, talk to your doctor early to make sure you have an understanding about it.

Acupressure can help in preventing episiotomy and tearing. A preliminary study has shown that you can avoid the need for an episiotomy or tearing of the perineum during childbirth if you practice acupressure during the third trimester and labor.

Acupressure seems to work best as a preventative measure, not just during childbirth itself. Women who only performed acupressure during labor weren’t nearly as successful in avoiding episiotomy and tearing as those who practiced it every day for a period of time prior to labor.

How does it work? The acupressure massage actually makes the tissue of the perineum more flexible and helps it to relax. This allows it to stretch more easily as the baby’s head passes through, preventing a tear and the need for an episiotomy. Considering how frequently these incisions are performed on pregnant women, it’s unfortunate that so few people are aware of the benefits of acupressure.

The acupoint making the perineum more flexible is called the Meeting of Yin (CV01) and it is located between the anus and the labia. You can apply pressure and/or massage the area with a lubricating oil. It may be difficult for you to reach this point on your own, especially during the third trimester, so you can initiate help from your partner. It should be a very pleasant and relaxing sensation. This point has also been shown to help a prolapsed uterus, vaginitis, and irregular periods.

Another point helping the perineum to relax is in the center of the sole of the foot, a third of the way down from the toes called the Bubbling Spring (K1). In addition to birthing women, this point is used by martial arts practitioners after they have been kicked in the scrotum. It helps to relieve the pain and relaxes the perineum for them as well. Perhaps this is how the benefit to women was discovered.

Acupressure offers a way of avoiding unnecessary episiotomies and tearing. You owe it to yourself to use these two acupressure point to your advantage!

To get step-by-step instructions on to get holistic labor pain relief and induce you labor naturally, visit http://www.MaternityAcupressure.com

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