Debra Betts Acupressure for Labour
and Birth

Debra Betts is a New Zealand Nurse and Acupuncturist who is well known for her work in acupuncture and acupressure during pregnancy, labour and birth.

Her work has helped make practical acupressure techniques more accessible to women and their birth partners, particularly as a hands-on tool that can be used during labour.

At ORA Acupuncture, I introduce acupressure as part of my labour preparation appointments, generally from around 36 weeks of pregnancy.

What is acupressure for labour?

Acupressure uses firm pressure over specific acupuncture points rather than needles.

During labour these points can be used by the birthing woman herself, her partner or another support person.

I often mark the points with small ear seeds, which can stay on the skin for several days and make the points much easier to find at home. This gives you and your partner time to practise and become familiar and confident with using them before labour begins.

One of the things I particularly like about acupressure is that it gives partners something practical they can do. Rather than simply watching and wondering how to help, they have specific points and techniques they can use throughout labour.

The Debra Betts approach to acupressure

Debra Betts is an acupuncturist, researcher and author whose work has focused extensively on acupuncture and acupressure in pregnancy and childbirth.

Her labour acupressure resources describe a selection of acupuncture points that can be stimulated with pressure during labour, with an emphasis on keeping the techniques practical and easy for women and their support people to use.

Debra has made her acupressure resources available for women and birth partners, including guidance for labour and short videos demonstrating point locations.

These include points commonly used for:

pain during contractions
encouraging the smooth progression of labour
nausea
back labour
helping a woman feel calmer and more settled
supporting labour when contractions become less effective

The points are not all used at once. Different points can be more useful at different stages of labour, and women often have a very clear preference for the pressure and location that feels best.

Acupressure for Labour Preparation

Acupressure for Pain Relief in Labour

Using acupressure for Pain Relief on yourself in Labour

Learning acupressure before labour

I prefer to teach these techniques before labour begins.

From around 36 weeks, I gradually introduce relevant acupressure points during pregnancy acupuncture appointments. This gives you and your partner time to learn where the points are, how much pressure to use and which techniques feel comfortable.

By the time labour begins, the points are already familiar.

Partners are welcome to come to an appointment so I can show them the point locations and pressure techniques directly.

Acupressure for pain during labour

One of the best-known points used during labour is Hegu (LI-4), located on the hand between the thumb and index finger.

It is a strong point traditionally used to encourage the movement of Qi and Blood and is commonly included in acupressure approaches for labour.

Other points may be more appropriate for sacral pain, nausea, encouraging contractions or helping a woman settle between contractions.

The important part isn't memorising a long list of acupuncture points. It is learning a small number well enough that you feel confident using them when you need them.

Acupuncture and acupressure as you approach birth

Labour preparation acupuncture usually begins from around 36–37 weeks, depending on the pregnancy and individual circumstances.

Alongside acupuncture, appointments can include:

acupressure teaching
partner involvement
positioning and movement
practical preparation for labour
techniques that can be continued at home

The focus changes as you get closer to your due date and according to what is happening in your pregnancy.

Labour preparation acupuncture in Auckland

I provide pregnancy and labour preparation acupuncture from Birthcare Parnell and Pt Chevalier in Auckland.

If you would like your partner to learn the acupressure points as well, they are welcome to come along to one of your later pregnancy appointments.

Debra Betts Acupressure for Labour and Birth