The pictures are coming for this article - you can come by Cradle and pick up a copy if you'd like....technical difficulties...

Many people ask what they can do at home to support their body to prepare for labor.  Here are some ideas that can support what you are already doing.  If you have a male partner, be intimate! Semen contains prostaglandins and prostaglandins ripen and soften the cervix.  Whether or not you have a male partner, orally taking evening primrose oil (please check with your birth care provider to make sure there are no contraindications for you) beginning at 36 weeks will support your cervix to soften, ripen and open.  This is your mantra:  asking your cervix to soften, ripen and open.  If these words don't work for you personally, find ones that do and use them.  Do create loving, compassionate space in your life for you and your partner to connect - author and midwife Ina May Gaskin points out that "the energy that gets the baby in, is the energy that gets the baby out".

 The goal is for you to have a safe and effective birth using yoru energy and that of your babe in concert to help prepare for birth.  To prepare for the labor that will become sustained contractions and have your babe move down the birth canal and into your arms.

For preparation for and in labor you can use these points.  If labor is stalled, talk to mom, and use them again.  Having mom choose to breathe in through her nose and out through her mouth will bring ease and help her work with, not against the contractions.  Long, hard, strong and long contractions is what will bring your baby into your arms.

With intention and love jiggle the following acupuncture points:  LI4: He Gu, Joining Valley located on the dorsum (back) of the hand between the thumb and forefinger, more towards your index finger.   SP6: Sany Yin Jiao, 3 Yin Crossing located 3 cun (the width offour of mom's fingers) directly above the tip of the inside of your ankle on the border of your leg bone (tibia).  UB 31-34, Ba Liao, the Eight Crevices located in the first, second, third and fourth sacral foramen (little depressions in your back on your sacrum).  Until pictures are up, know that you can google pictures of where these points are, or you can come in and ask and I'll show you

If you would like deeper work to support your cervix to soften, ripen and open and prepare for labor please call me at 413.222.8616.  You can also contact me at Cradle Maternal Wellness Center, 413.341.5282.  I have been working as an acupuncturist with pregnant women for over 20 years.  I am a trained birth educator, birth assistant and lactation counselor.

Wishing you a blessed birth, Amy