Everyday comfort
Safe at any stage
For nausea, sleep, anxiety and the back ache that creeps in. PC6, HT7, Yintang, BL23
Free handout · Pregnancy & labour
Acupressure for Pregnancy & Labour
Simple, safe points you and your partner can use through pregnancy, in the lead-up to birth and during labour itself. A free handout from us at Sprout Natural Health.
Free to keep & share
Get the free handout
The full handout has every point with a photo and clear how-to, in one A4 PDF you can keep, print and share.
Download the handout (PDF)
Free to download, print and share. Open it on your phone once and it stays available offline.
About this handout
This is a small collection of the acupressure points we teach our pregnant clients, it’s the same points we use for acupuncture, just with steady thumb pressure instead of needles. You don’t need to understand any of the theory to use them.
It’s written to be handed on, to you, your partner, a midwife or doula, a friend who’s helping out. It sits alongside your midwife and OB care, never instead of it.
Preparing for birth
Gentle, daily, from 37 weeks
To ready your body in the last few weeks, not to start labour. ST-36, SP6, GB34
Encouraging labour from home
Full term only, with your midwife or OB’s OK
A gentle nudge for a labour your body is already close to. LI4, SP6, BL32, GB21
During labour
What your partner can do
Hands-on points to help you through contractions. BL32, LI4, SP6, GB21, KD1
The full how-to, with a photo for every point, is in the handout. Download it below.
Before you start
Safety, please read
- Don’t use SP6, LI4, BL32 or GB21 before 37 weeks. These can stimulate contractions or have a strong downward action, and we don’t want that before you’re full term.
- The encourage-labour points are full term only, and only once your midwife or obstetrician has said it’s OK for you. We never use them to start labour early for non-medical reasons.
- Stop straight away for sharp pain, dizziness, bleeding, your waters breaking, contractions that build when you’re not in labour, or reduced movement from baby, and call your team.
- This is general education, not medical advice, and it doesn’t replace your midwife, obstetrician or GP. Use the points at your own discretion, and check with your maternity team if you’re unsure.
Want a hand from us?
Two ways we can support you
On the Gold Coast?
Pre-birth acupuncture
Weekly sessions from 36 weeks with Conor, Sharni or Rachel at our Paradise Point rooms, the same points with needles instead of pressure, plus points we choose for your specific pregnancy.
Book pre-birth acupunctureAnywhere in Australia?
Online naturopathy with Hannah
Hannah Ward (Masters in Reproductive Medicine) sees clients online for nausea, energy, bloodwork and postnatal recovery planning, so it doesn’t matter where in Australia you are.
See online naturopathyFor midwives, doulas & obstetricians
Made to be handed on
This handout is written for you to share with the people looking after you. Our acupuncturists are AHPRA registered and AACMA members, Hannah Ward is a degree-qualified naturopath and NHAA member, and we’re always happy to talk to your care team.
If you’d like printed cards or copies for your rooms, get in touch.
FAQ
Common questions
When can I start the labour points?
From 37 weeks, and not before. SP6, LI4, BL32 and GB21 can stimulate contractions or have a strong downward action, so we keep them off-limits until you’re full term. The everyday-comfort points (PC6, HT7, Yintang, BL23) are safe to use any time during pregnancy.
Is acupressure safe before 37 weeks?
The everyday points for nausea, sleep, anxiety and low back ache are safe right through pregnancy, the labour points are not. If your pregnancy is complicated or you’re not sure what’s safe for you, check with your midwife, obstetrician or acupuncturist first.
Can my partner do this?
Yes, and most of these points are easier with someone else applying the pressure, the sacrum and shoulder points are really meant for your partner to do. Have a read through the handout together before the day, so the spots are familiar when the time comes.
Can I get the practitioner-led version?
Yes, we offer weekly pre-birth acupuncture from 36 weeks at our Paradise Point clinic, it’s the same points with needles instead of pressure, plus points we choose for your pregnancy. And if you’d like nutrition and naturopathic support alongside it, Hannah Ward sees clients online across Australia.
Ready when you are
You can book pre-birth acupuncture online or by phone. Prefer to start with naturopathy? Hannah sees clients online Australia-wide.