The ancient Chinese technique of acupressure, sometimes referred to as Tui na or "push-grasp" for its use of finger pressure, has been widely recognized for its role in alleviating such ailments as pain, stress, and insomnia. As a result, the possibility of utilizing acupressure during pregnancy has generated a great deal of discussion. Proponents of maternity acupressure say that it can alleviate nausea or morning sickness, reduce physical discomfort during the pregnancy as well as during birth, and help to induce labor. Opponents, however, caution that there is little scientific evidence to back up these claims, with the few studies that have been performed producing little results.
The reported overall benefits of acupressure during pregnancy range from allowing a pregnant mom in her third trimester to begin labor at home, thereby dilating the cervix and shortening the delivery time at the hospital, to relieving the new mom's overall stress level. Such benefits are accomplished without the use of potentially harmful induction medications. Many believe that it can even aid in lowering the level of distress that a baby experiences during birth.
For years, doulas and midwives have been applying various types of acupressure. By learning the basic pressure points, a pregnant mother or her partner can also administer the technique. Essentially, it is a specialized form of pregnancy massage therapy.
Most critics will caution that stimulating a woman's pressure points after the first trimester could be dangerous as she could inadvertently activate her body to begin the labor process. As a pregnant woman's body readies itself for labor weeks in advance, it might not be advisable to perform this technique without a good understanding of what is happening within the body. Furthermore, critics argue that every woman is different and that her body might respond differently to acupressure during pregnancy. They warn against treating acupressure as a "cure-all" or a "one-stop shop" and strongly advise that a pregnant woman only have a licensed professional perform an acupressure session.
Nevertheless, this 5,000-year-old tradition has many convinced that pregnancy acupressure is a safe and effective option for pregnant women. Acupressure during pregnancy has been adopted by many countries across Europe and Asia; however, it has been slower to take hold in the United States largely because it is not considered a standard practice of medicine. No matter what, though, a pregnant mother should speak with her healthcare provider before seeking this treatment and make sure she fully understands both the benefits and the side effects of acupressure.