Pampered Pregnancy – Blissful Birth

A study in England on 66 post-term women (those who attended a hospital clinic after 40 weeks gestation) showed that women who employed shiatsu techniques were significantly more likely to have spontaneous labor than the non-shiatsu group who more frequently required induced labor.  “The Effects of Shiatsu on Post-Term Pregnancy” evaluated the effects of shiatsu techniques, as taught by hospital midwives, on the progress of post-term labors and deliveries. The study was conducted by staff at St. Michael’s Hospital, Bristol, England, from March to July 2000. The subjects attended a hospital consultant clinic appointment at 40 weeks gestation and were taught the massage techniques by a midwife who had completed a six-day shiatsu course. The control group consisted of 76 women who attended similar clinics but were not taught the shiatsu techniques.Three shiatsu points were taught to the experimental group: Gall Bladder 21 (GB-21), Large Intestine 4 (LI-4) and Spleen 6 (S-6). All points were held with thumb pressure until the woman experienced a reaction. Once a reaction was felt, the woman was instructed to work the point deeply and firmly for as long and as often as was comfortable to her. Exercises and breathing techniques were also taught to the experimental group, and the women were encouraged to use the shiatsu techniques at home.

Outcome information for both groups was audited, including induction, type of delivery, length of labor and analgesia used. The women in the experimental group completed a questionnaire to document their use of shiatsu.  The women who used shiatsu were significantly more likely to labor spontaneously than those who did not (p=0.038). Of those who used shiatsu, 17 percent more went into spontaneous labor than those who were not taught shiatsu. Of those who completed the audit questionnaire, 80 percent found the shiatsu techniques helpful.

At the Get Babied Doula Collective in Austin, TX, massage therapists Steph Scott and Hannah Ford are both trained in Shiatsu.  The two labor induction methods that are most supported by the literature (other than clinical ones) are Breastpumping and Massage/Acupressure.  So if you need an excuse to get a massage, Steph of course still offers her discounted GB rate for pregnant clients ($50); Hannah’s personal massage website is http://www.mintmassage.net/ or just send this article to your preferred LMT and get them to press your buttons. 

Hannah Ford adds these additional words of wisdome:  “I think of the last couple of weeks as 40-42 are the time to start this type of massage.  I always wait til mama asks for it or mentions induction worries, I don’t suggest it otherwise.  I also explain it as an “if your baby and body are ready, this might help move things along” idea, rather than a “natural induction” method.  Acupressure is powerful stuff, but the body is wise, and it’s not some kind of eject button or anything.

Usually I just do a few minutes scattered throughout a full-body session, so she’s relaxed overall.  I think the overall relaxation helps as much with letting labor start as the shiatsu does.  I think at the most I’ve spent maybe 20 minutes total of the session focused on points, and that’s with a mama who’s coming specifically with induction intentions.  To avoid bruising, I make sure to communicate directly and be really conservative about pressure.  It’s more about being in just the right spot and moving the chi in the right direction than using a lot of force, it should be fairly gentle work.  I do some work around the malleoli and some reflex points on the foot too.

Sometimes I show her the points again at the end of the session and get her to press them, show her how to bob/doven for self-treatment, or if there’s a partner handy I’ll get him or her to do some.  GB21 is kind of hard to do on yourself.  It’s a good point for labor too.”

Hannah with her son Sylvan