Induction:
I’ve experienced firsthand the quiet power of Chinese Medicine in pregnancy and birth. Acupuncture and moxibustion helped turn my own transverse pregnancies, and acupressure supported me through labour in ways I’ll never forget. These tools aren’t just clinical - they’re personal, transformative, and empowering. And now, I look forward to helping them become part of your birth story too.
Due dates aren’t a promise - but support is available
Let’s be honest: due dates are not expiration dates. They’re educated guesses, not guarantees. While it's easy to circle a date on the calendar and hold your breath, the truth is that birth unfolds in its own time.
For many expecting parents, going past that estimated date - or navigating complications like gestational diabetes or a baby in breech position - can turn up the pressure. Birth teams might begin discussing interventions like stretch and sweeps, medical inductions, or even caesarean sections. Sometimes these paths are absolutely necessary. But what if there were a gentler, more holistic way to support your body before the cascade of medical intervention begins?
Enter: Chinese Medicine.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine have long offered a gentle, powerful alternative - or addition - to conventional care. And the research is catching up:
It may increase the likelihood of spontaneous labour and reduce the chances of caesarean sections (Harper et al., 2006).
It assists with cervical ripening and labour induction, based on a review of clinical evidence (Lokugamage, Pathberiya, Fernando, & Allen, 2020).
It may help reduce labour pain and even shorten its duration (Skilnand, Fossen, & Heiberg, 2002).
It could reduce the need for surgical births and the number of steps required in a medical induction (Lokugamage et al., 2020).
Sounds like a win-win, right?
When paired with Chinese herbal medicine (especially herbs known to “calm the foetus”), acupuncture offers a deeply aligned, individualised approach. One of the most beautiful aspects of Chinese Medicine is how it asks: Why hasn’t labour begun yet? Instead of forcing the process, it gently encourages your body back into balance.
What might be holding labour back?
In Chinese Medicine, we look for patterns of ‘disharmony’ that could be delaying labour. Here are a few common ones:
1. Qi Deficiency
This is your classic exhausted mama. You’re wiped out, maybe short of breath, your tongue might quiver slightly, and you just don’t feel like you have the energy to go into labour. Your body’s saying, “Can I nap first?”
2. Blood Deficiency
Here, you might feel achy, have low back or hip pain, sleep poorly, and notice your tongue looks pale or even purplish. Perhaps you’ve had a history of irregular periods, iron infusions, or a history of breastfeeding challenges. When there isn’t enough Blood to nourish the body, labour can feel too big a mountain to climb when there is more blood loss to come.
3. Damp Accumulation
Think swelling (outside of preeclampsia), morning fogginess, a heavy sensation in the limbs, loose stools, and a thick coating on your tongue or a tongue with scalloped edges. This kind of internal “dampness” can block the flow of Qi and Blood, making it harder for your body to get the “go time” signal.
Most often, these patterns overlap - and that’s okay. With a thorough assessment of your health history and pregnancy journey, my aim is to identify what’s going on and create a personalised treatment plan using herbs, acupuncture, and at-home tools like acupressure and lifestyle recommendations.
When should you start?
Ideally, we begin preparing for birth around 34 weeks. But whether you’re still cruising through your third trimester or already pacing the living room in week 41, there’s support available for you. While one acupuncture session and a few herbs won’t magically induce labour overnight, they are part of a comprehensive toolkit designed to work with your body - not against it.
And it doesn’t stop at birth.
These same imbalances can ripple into postpartum, showing up as breastfeeding struggles, mood changes, fatigue, or delayed recovery. Chinese Medicine views the postpartum period as sacred, a window of vulnerability and opportunity. We offer support through in-person acupuncture or Telehealth herbal consults to help you feel more like yourself again. You’re welcome to bring your baby along, or take that time just for you (and maybe a well-earned nap).
A gentle reminder…
Whether you're 30 weeks or busting at the seams, incorporating Chinese Medicine into your birth preparation is an act of self-care. It's a chance to slow down, honour your body, and reconnect with its deep, intuitive wisdom. A little stillness before the storm. A breath before the birth.
Have questions? Curious about how we can support you through birth or into postpartum? Reach out or book a session - I'm here for you.
Wishing you calm, confidence, and a beautiful birth - however it unfolds.
Warmly,
Maddie