Dubai A Dubai-based clinic is encouraging expectant mothers and their partners to practise acupressure to enable a smooth and natural delivery without pain-killing medications.
Martine Nates, acupuncturist at the Synergy Integrated Medical Centre on Al Wasl Road, said she regularly holds workshops for pregnant women and their husbands to teach them about acupressure points which can be greatly beneficial during labour.
“The benefits are many as acupressure helps relieve pain, dilate the cervix, stimulate contractions, establish breast feeding, control nausea control and calm the emotions.
“If water breaks and the mother doesn’t go into labour, there are points that she can press to get contractions started. They make the contractions stronger,” said Nates.
A mother of two with 15 years’ experience in acupressure, Nates said: “There are points for the transition phase that help the baby descend through the birth canal for easy delivery. Once the baby is born, some points also stimulate milk production and establish breast feeding.”
She said expectant mothers and their partners could work on a set of 12-14 points to make use of all these benefits. “We recommend they start from the 36th week of gestation, not earlier.”
The workshops are held at the Synergy centre once a month, with the next one scheduled for January 26. The cost per couple is Dh350.
Nates, who also uses acupuncture for pre-birth treatment, said it helps to get the baby into the anterior position to ease delivery. While acupuncture uses needles to press points, acupressure entails pressure being exerted on various points with the thumbs, elbows or wooden spoons. The acupuncture for birth treatment is also recommended from the 37th week of gestation.
