Acupuncture for Labour Preparation: Start Early, Feel Ready

If you’re in your final weeks of pregnancy, you might be wondering how to give your body the best chance for a smooth, coordinated labour. At Burwood Acupuncture, we use gentle, non-abdominal acupuncture, to help your body feel calmer, more relaxed, and physically ready, even before contractions begin.

Why Start Before You’re Overdue

Many women come to Burwood Acupuncture when they’re already past their due date, wanting to “kick things off” with acupuncture. However, starting a few weeks before your due date gives your body time to prepare naturally.

Early sessions help:

• Encourage gentle uterine readiness

• Improve pelvic blood flow

• Reduce tension and stress

• Support hormonal balance and coordination

This preparation can lead to shorter, more comfortable labour, and helps your body respond better when contractions start.

When to Start and How Often

• Timing: Ideally 36–38 weeks for first babies, 37–39 weeks for subsequent babies.

• Frequency: Usually once a week, increasing to twice a week as your due date approaches if needed.

What Acupuncture Does for Your Body

• Support uterine activity: Prepares the uterus and cervix for effective contractions.

• Regulate stress and hormones: Calms your nervous system so your body can respond naturally to labour hormones.

• Enhance circulation and energy flow: Improves pelvic blood flow and supports gentle cervical softening.

• Release tension: Reduces back, hip, and shoulder tightness that can make labour harder.

Example Point Combinations

Here’s what a typical labour-preparation session at Burwood Acupuncture might look like:

SP6, BL32, BL54: Improves blood flow to the pelvis and supports cervical ripening

ST36, LI4, LR3: Helps the body’s natural energy and blood flow, supporting coordinated contractions

GB21, SJ5, HT7, Yintang: Calms the mind, eases tension in the shoulders and upper back

Needles are usually placed bilaterally (both sides) and retained for 20–30 minutes, with gentle stimulation only.

Supporting Breech Babies

At Burwood Acupuncture, moxibustion is used to encourage turning of breech babies. Acupuncture combined with moxibustion is a safe, evidence-informed method to encourage babies to turn from breech to head-down presentation:

• Point commonly used: BL67 (on the little toe) — stimulates fetal movement via uterine activity.

• Moxa: Warm moxa is applied indirectly to BL67. Sessions usually last 15–20 minutes per foot, once or twice daily.

• Timing: Best started around 33–36 weeks, when there’s still room for the baby to turn.

• Effect: Encourages the baby to move into a head-down position, supporting easier vaginal birth and reducing the need for cesarean delivery.

The Difference Early Preparation Makes

Women who start acupuncture in the weeks leading up to their due date often notice:

• Feeling more relaxed and grounded

• Less tension in the back and hips

• A greater sense of confidence that their body is ready for labour

Even if you end up overdue, having prepared early gives your body a head start — instead of relying on last-minute induction techniques, your uterus is already primed and ready to respond naturally.

Final Thoughts

Labour preparation isn’t just about “getting things moving” — it’s about supporting your body and mind so you feel ready. Starting a few weeks before your due date, with gentle acupuncture, can make a big difference in your preparedness for labour.

If your baby is breech, starting moxibustion around 33–36 weeks can encourage turning safely and naturally.

Starting early allows your body to prepare gradually. A calm, well-prepared body is often a more responsive, confident body when the big day arrives.

Safety note: Always coordinate with your midwife or obstetrician before starting acupuncture or moxibustion in the later stages of pregnancy — especially if you have any complications, are carrying multiples, or have a high-risk pregnancy.

Book your pregnancy acupuncture session at Burwood Acupuncture today to help your body prepare calmly and confidently for the big day ahead. Or book in for a free 15-minute chat to see how we can support you with preparation for labour.