How to achieve a VBAC – preparing for a vaginal birth with acupuncture
Australia has a high c-section rate of around 30% of births. This rate is among the highest in the world. Many women feel grief about not having the birth they wanted and plan for a vaginal birth with the next pregnancy. Acupuncture is often suggested to women preparing for a VBAC in the third trimester of their pregnancy. However, the most optimal time to start preparation is much earlier.
Start VBAC preparation early
After a c-section, if you are looking to have a VBAC, preparation can start as early as 6 weeks after your c-section using acupuncture for post-surgery healing and scar therapy. A 2015 systemic review and meta-analysis shows acupuncture has a positive effect on post-operative pain from surgical trauma.
Why so soon?
C-section is major surgery, which our body needs to heal from. Our body can often become depleted in the postpartum times. Acupuncture starting 6 weeks after the C-section can help promote tissue recovery, reduce pain and promote blood circulation to the area.
While it is rare, some women experience secondary infertility after c-section. Being aware of this, and ensuring you do everything you can to heal well after your c-section is vital. To reduce the risks of infertility after a c-section, acupuncture for scar therapy is also performed. Acupuncture is helpful for postpartum time. It can help with exhaustion, pain, breast feeding and constipation.
Acupuncture is also used for the emotional trauma after a c-section. You may feel a myriad of emotions after a c-section – a sense of distress, regret, grief and disappointment. This is ok to feel and there are many support groups to help you with the trauma you may feel.
Acupuncture for birth preparation
When you are pregnant and planning on a VBAC, your acupuncturist should be part of your team. In ‘The Essential guide to acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth’, the author Debra Betts said midwives report pre-birth acupuncture reduced the time spent in labour and a reduction in medical intervention.
The fear of not having a vaginal birth and memories of your experience of a c-section can stimulate the fright and flight response of the sympathetic nervous system. We use prebirth acupuncture to help reduce anxiety and fear and promote relaxation.
Some women have acupuncture weekly during pregnancy, to help assist with morning sickness, constipation, pain and other issues that may arise. However, weekly or even twice weekly acupuncture from 30-34 weeks onwards is used to help prepare for birth.
If you have a wish for a VBAC, start preparation early. It can be started as early as 6 weeks after a C-section. If you have missed this early opportunity for healing and scar tissue reduction, scar therapy can be started anytime during preconception. If you are already pregnant, use acupuncture to help prepare for birth.
To start a course of acupuncture for VBAC preparation at Mei Hua Chinese Medicine clinic, book an initial health assessment here.
