As you already know I was overdue with my pregnancy and tried all the old wives tales to try and make labour come...sadly nothing worked. I was desperate, really desperate, so I went online to research some more and came across some comments suggesting acupuncture and reflexology, as I am much into natural therapies I started researching into these more in depth. I read in many websites and blogs about positive experiences and it seemed to work for some people so I went in search of nearby practices.
I enquired about peoples experience and also the prices, I was still reluctant though as I am terrified of needles and also my pockets were nearby empty due to the moving and getting stuff for the baby etc. I came across a "clinic" (amongst many others) which I already knew about and they told me that it generally works and that I should bring my hospital bag and notes just in case... They told me I could have a treatment of just acupuncture or I could have reflexology too, which seemed to be more effective and quicker at bringing on labour.
The place is in Lakeside Shopping Centre, Thurrock, Essex (England) and I think it is called "Acupunture & Herbs", lady was really friendly and made an appointment for the next day for me. The acupunture was £25 and the reflexology was £50, it was actually the cheapest I had come across and since it was a place that I was familiar with as I have gonne passed it many times, I stuck with it!
I went on the 15/06/09 at around 2pm (an hour early) and they said it was fine that they could see me. I was a little aprehensive because of the needles but everyone was so friendly and made me feel very at ease...the needles were very thin (came in sterile packet which was opened in front of me) and barely felt them going in, I did read on the internet that you can fit 5 acupunture needles in 1 normal hospital needle, I only felt anything when the doctor tweeked them and even then I didn't really feel them, I felt more my muscles being tickled! The baby certainly felt something cause she started moving around a lot, they said this was normal and a good sign.
They then left me to relax in the room with the needles in for about 30 mins, after that the doctor came to take them out, easy peasy!
I then had the reflexology and this was really great, I would definately have this again even just to destress!
Reflexology is a special foot massage, basically every area of your foot corresponds to a part of your body. They put my feet in a special herbal foot bath to stimulate my circulation and then I had a wonderfully long foot massage done by the doctor. I got out of there super relaxed.
After I finished we went for late lunch and a walk around the shops... got home and while making late dinner (Spaghetti Bolognese @ 9.15pm) for the family and parents in law (on hols over from South Africa) MY WATERS BROKE!
So long story short...I am a believer in Chinese natural medicine and recommend it to anyone!
The story of the birth for those now curious is coming soon! Now difficult to write too much at a time with the baby, hubby looking after baby Mylie and Stefan for me to write this...now have to go and put my Stefan to bed!
Monica xxx
