Induction Massage
The room was quiet with only the melodic guitar instrumentals to accompany myself and the pregnant woman on my treatment table. It was the middle of our ninety minute session and my thumbs moved to acupressure point for Spleen 6. Hold.
I waited for that mix of intuition and the client’s body signal to move me towards the next point. I find Bladder 60 and press, holding once again and waiting for the moment of release. Meanwhile, mom-to-be drifts off while baby moves around slowly in her womb.
While she is on the precipice of sleep, baby and I are both working towards the same goal : exodus.
Many quiet moments later as my client is preparing to leave, I explain the following, “be prepared to give birth in two days.” At times it’s a resounding yes, other times a disappointing not yet.
This morning at 7:35 am I discovered a text “Michelle, just a heads up. Baby was born:) “. A slow grin spread across my face as I quietly gave a prayer of thanks.
When I began my training in induction massage, I must admit, even I had my doubts. However many births later I have learned that acupressure is a scientific mystery for the human body and some points indeed induce labor. At the time of this writing, I’m at a seventy percent success rate. However, I find myself just as in awe as the first session I offered.
I liken inducing birth as one that hopes to capture the brilliant sight of the turning leaves for the autumn season. We can calculate, assist, prod and nudge but when we depend on the natural course of things we can only wait in humble anticipation.
Induction massage consists of three major components: relaxation, neuromuscular and acupressure. These three techniques combined within an hour and half have resulted in many births. Mostly moms contact me because their OB doctor has began to discuss chemical induction which they’d like to avoid at all cost.
However, at times intervention is necessary when the mother’s or baby’s life is in danger. In the best case scenario, Induction Massage would work each and every time. I can tell you however that from over ten years of prenatal experience, it is an incredible outcome to watch.
