What Are the Pregnancy Pressure Points to Start Labor? (And Do They Work?)

If you’re getting close to (or are past) your due date and still have no signs of labor, you might be desperate to get things going. At this point, some moms try various holistic methods, including potentially using acupressure to induce labor.

“I’m being induced in a couple of days, so I went to my acupressure and holistic nurse to see if there’s anything she could do to help get labor started. She did some work on me, and I’m having my husband rub the acupressure points this evening. I hope it moves things along!” shares MrsBinIndy, a community member on The Bump.

The good news? Pressure points to bring on labor do exist—but more research on how effective they actually are is still needed. “Pressure points are specific areas of the body used in acupressure and acupuncture that are believed to influence nerve pathways and muscle activity,” explains Shahin Ghadir, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn and reproductive endocrinologist at HRC Fertility in Beverly Hills, California. “Some pressure points are traditionally associated with uterine stimulation.”

Still, even if it doesn’t immediately kickstart labor, there are plenty of benefits to acupressure while pregnant. Learn more about the potential of pregnancy pressure points to start labor, below.

Key Takeaways

• More research is needed to conclude whether or not you can use acupressure to induce labor.
• Acupuncture with needles is more likely to be effective than acupressure to induce labor, which accesses pressure points through touch.
• There are a few pressure points that may be related to inducing labor, but they also have benefits for use during labor to help with pain and emotional management.
• Acupressure is generally considered safe in pregnancy. Using pregnancy pressure points to start labor, however, shouldn’t be done until 39 weeks according to ob-gyns. Again, talk to your healthcare provider about your individual situation.

Can You Use Pressure Points to Bring on Labor?

Using acupressure on the hundreds of pressure points in the body has been shown to help with a host of conditions, including headaches and upset stomachs. But can you use acupressure points to bring on labor?

Ghadir notes that “[pressure points] shouldn’t be viewed as a guaranteed or primary method to induce labor,” but he adds that there are still benefits to the practice. “While there’s limited scientific evidence that pressure points can reliably start labor, they may help promote relaxation, reduce discomfort or encourage the body to respond if labor’s already close to beginning,” he says.

In other words, the science on using pregnancy pressure points to start labor is inconclusive. Several studies have looked at the relationship between pressure points and labor, and while some show promise, most conclude that more research is needed.

Katherine Altneu, DTCM, LAc, a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncturist and founder of The Point in Denver, says that acupuncture, rather than acupressure, is more likely to stimulate labor trigger points. “Acupuncture with needles is significantly more effective than simply applying pressure with your hands,” she explains. “Acupressure can be a gentle nudge, but it’s not nearly as powerful as a clinical acupuncture treatment.”

Acupuncture is generally considered safe for pregnancy, but make sure to speak to your provider before trying it.

5 Pressure Points to Trigger Labor

If you’re interested in exploring pressure points to trigger labor, there are a handful of places to try. “The pressure points are located all over the body,” says Cassie Bali, an acupuncturist, fertility coach and co-founder of Vale of Health in London. “You can push them with a finger—or get a partner or friend to do so,” or hold a bead or a seed in place on the spot using a bandage or skin-safe tape to secure it.

Of course, while doing it at home is safe, visiting—or consulting with—a trained acupressurist is more likely to provide effective results. And even if you’re DIY-ing it, you should consult with a professional beforehand. In either case, using acupressure points to trigger labor should never hurt. “Discomfort should be minimal, and pain should be avoided,” says Ghadir.

Ahead are potential acupressure points to bring on labor, according to experts.

Inner lower leg

According to Altneu, this location is known as Spleen 6 (SP 6) and is “located on the inner lower leg, about four finger-widths above the ankle bone.” When searching for it, she says, “You’ll feel a soft, slightly tender depression there.” She explains that this location has been shown to increase blood flow to the uterus and cervix, which can “support cervical ripening and the uterus’ ability to contract.” She says the pressure point doesn’t necessarily trigger labor, but rather “[supports] the body’s readiness” for the main event.

Hand between thumb and index finger

Also known as Large Intestine 4 (LI 4), Altneu explains that this pressure point is the “fleshy area between the thumb and index finger” and is often tender when pressed. When activated, this spot can help aid circulation in the body and, similar to SP 6, support cervical ripening. Once labor starts, this is also a common pressure point to help alleviate contraction pain.

Top of the shoulder

Gallbladder 21 (GB 21) is a pressure point “located on the top of the shoulder, halfway between the neck and the outer edge of the shoulder, at the highest point of the trapezius muscle,” says Altneu. When activated, Altneu says it’s been shown to increase levels of oxytocin, a naturally produced hormone that drives uterine contractions. In fact, Pitocin, the medication doctors typically give to induce labor, is formulated to mimic this hormone. It can also indirectly help with labor pain by promoting relaxation.

Lower back

Bladder Channel 32 (BL 32) is a spot on the lowest part of the back, which Bali and Ghadir say is a common pressure point to help with labor pain.

Top of the foot

If you’ve been warned against foot massages while pregnant, the advice may have been related to Liver 3 (LV 3), a spot Bali says is also a common pressure point for labor. It’s located on the top of the foot, between your big toe and your second toe, about three fingers’ width up. It’s said that this location can help ease stress and anxiety, so it’s a good spot for activating during labor for overall emotional management. While Bali says there’s some truth to the spot possibly inducing labor, it’s not easily accessible without acupuncture needles.

Pressure points to induce labor chart

Is Acupressure to Induce Labor Safe for All Pregnant Women?

Ob-gyns say that you shouldn’t try acupressure to induce labor until you reach about 39 weeks of pregnancy. “Acupressure [to induce labor] is generally considered low-risk when done correctly and at the appropriate time in pregnancy,” says Ghadir. “It should only be considered at term and with approval from a medical provider.” Acupressure in general is typically considered safe for pregnancy.

To Sum It Up

There’s some evidence that using certain pregnancy pressure points to start labor can help move things along, but it’s not a proven method of labor induction. That said, if you want to try acupressure to induce labor once you’re getting closer to your due date, it’s generally considered safe. “While complementary techniques like acupressure may provide comfort or relaxation, they should always be discussed with a healthcare provider,” cautions Ghadir. “Safety and individualized medical care should remain the priority when considering any method intended to influence labor.”

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.