Induction

By Madeleine Van Maanen

Due dates aren’t a promise. For many, complications like gestational diabetes, 

malpositioned pregnancies, or simply going past your estimated due date can send obstetricians and birth teams into high-alert mode, leading to interventions such as 

stretch and sweeps, medical inductions, or caesarean sections. Sometimes these paths are necessary—but before all of that pressure is imminent, Chinese Medicine offers a gentle, holistic window of opportunity to step in and support the body naturally.

Acupuncture has demonstrated several benefits:

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).

What’s not to love?

When this modern evidence is paired with Chinese herbal medicine - especially herbs classified under the unique category of “calming the foetus” - you’ve got a beautifully aligned approach. The true power and beauty of Chinese Medicine lies in its ability to assess why spontaneous labour hasn’t yet begun and promote balance where there is ‘disharmony’ with acupuncture and herbal medicine.

From a Chinese Medicine perspective, several underlying ‘patterns’ of disharmony may explain delayed labour. The most common include:

Qi Deficiency
Fatigue is prominent here, you may feel short of breath, have a quivering tongue, and you generally feel wiped out. When Qi is low, the body lacks the momentum to initiate labour. It’s as if your body is saying, “I just want to rest - I don’t have the energy to birth right now.”

Blood Deficiency
General aches, low back or hip pain, pubic symphysis discomfort, insomnia, and a pale or purplish tongue. You may also have a history of irregular periods, iron infusions, or breastfeeding difficulties. When there is insufficient Blood, muscles and tendons aren’t adequately nourished, leaving the body reluctant to release the nourishing blood it's generated for your baby through the birthing process.

Damp Accumulation
Symptoms may include swelling (face, hands, feet - excluding preeclampsia), a sensation of heaviness or fogginess especially in the morning, loose stools, and a wide tongue with tooth marks or thick coating. Dampness obstructs the flow of Qi and Blood, preventing the vital signals needed to kickstart labour from being fully received and acted upon.

It’s common for these patterns to overlap, particularly given the influence of modern lifestyles and individual constitutions. By assessing your health history and pregnancy experience, we are able to identify the pattern(s) at play, and tailor treatments using herbs and acupuncture to encourage spontaneous labour.

While a single session of acupuncture and a few herbs won’t guarantee immediate results, what we can offer is a comprehensive toolkit. This includes tailored lifestyle advice and at home acupressure points to reinforce your treatment. Treatment in preparation for birth begins ideally at 34 weeks, however you can be supported at any stage.

Beyond the birth itself, these patterns of disharmony may affect your postpartum recovery. In Chinese Medicine, this stage is seen as critical, we often observe strong links between unresolved prenatal imbalances and postpartum depletion, breastfeeding issues, mood changes, or future health challenges. A postpartum care plan - whether via Telehealth for herbal support or in person acupuncture - can make a significant difference. You're welcome to bring baby along for cuddles, or take a well-earned moment for yourself.

Whether you’re 30 weeks or busting at the seams, incorporating Chinese Medicine into your birth preparation is a gift to yourself - and a gentle reminder to slow down, restore balance, and connect with your body’s innate wisdom. A little quiet and calm before the big day might be just what the (Chinese Medicine) Doctor ordered.

Have questions about how Chinese Medicine can support your birth or postpartum? Reach out or book a session, we're here to help.

Wishing you calm, confidence, and a beautiful birth - however it unfolds,

Maddie