Use acupuncture to induce labor: many obstetricians rely on drugs to induce a late delivery. Now some women are turning to a more natural alternative - News and Notes / Home and Family - Brief Article

Natural Health, March, 2003

IF YOU'RE PREGNANT AND PAST YOUR due date, consider enlisting the help of an acupuncturist. Conventional labor-inducing drugs like Cytotec (misoprostol) can bring on severe contractions. But acupuncture initiates contrations gently, says Julie Argyle, L.Ac., a licensed acupuncturist at the Cameron Wellness Center of the Washington Hospital in Washington, Pa.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture works by balancing the body's flow of qi, or life energy, which when blocked can delay labor, explains Argyle. Argyle has performed acupuncture on more than 50 overdue mothers, most of whom delivered within 24 hours of the treatment.

Even though you may not need the treatment, you should find an acupuncturist several months before your due date, says Argyle, giving yourself time to get references and become comfortable with your decision. To locate one, contact the American Association of Oriental Medicine (888-500-7999; www.aaom.org) for a list of acupuncturists in your area. Then ask the acupuncturists for client references.