Acupressure in Labor and Pregnancy: Evidence and Cautions
What Cochrane and other reviews found for acupressure in labor pain, labor length, induction and pregnancy nausea, how sure the evidence is, and why to ask your maternity provider first.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Start here: talk to your maternity team
Pregnancy and labor are times to involve your midwife or doctor before trying any hands-on or point-based method. The NHS says that if you want to use an alternative method for labor pain, you should discuss it with your midwife or doctor and let the hospital know beforehand, and that most hospitals do not offer these methods for pain relief during labor. [1] This page is information only. It gives no instructions for pressing points to start labor, speed it up or treat a pregnancy problem.What acupressure is, in this setting
Acupressure means pressing on points on the body with fingers, thumbs or a band, with no needles. The points come from the traditional Chinese framework of channels (meridians), which is a traditional explanation and not an established physical mechanism. For the general guide, see Acupressure: What It Is and What Research Shows. Needle methods carry other risks; see Acupuncture Side Effects and Precautions.What the research found
| Question | What the source found | How strong |
|---|---|---|
| Labor pain | Cochrane (2020): acupressure may reduce pain compared with usual care and a combined control, but most comparisons were very low certainty [2]. A 2021 meta-analysis (13 trials, 1,586 people) reported less pain [3] | Promising but limited |
| Length of labor | Seven trials (748 women) suggested acupressure may shorten labor, mostly the first stage [4]. The 2021 meta-analysis found a similar signal [3] | Promising but limited |
| Cesarean birth | One Cochrane review found fewer cesareans than with sham (4 trials, 313 women) [2]. Another review found the cesarean result inconclusive [3] | Mixed |
| Starting labor (induction) | Cochrane (2017, 22 trials) found no clear benefit from acupuncture or acupressure in reducing cesarean rate [5] | No good evidence of benefit (for acupressure) |
| Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy | Reviews report lower symptom scores, with limited and uneven evidence [6][7] | Promising but limited |
Labor pain in more detail
The 2020 Cochrane review pooled 28 trials (3,960 women), 15 of them on acupressure, and noted that no study was at low risk of bias on all points. [2] It concluded that acupressure may reduce pain compared with a combined control and usual care, and that for other comparisons it was uncertain because the evidence was very low certainty. [2] The 2021 meta-analysis of 13 trials said moderate evidence suggests promising effects on labor pain and duration, and that high-quality trials are still needed. [3]Things these results cannot tell us: many trials are not blinded, so expectation and extra attention from a caring person may explain part of any pain relief. Sham acupressure (pressing at other spots) helps separate real effects from expectation, but blinding is hard to guarantee with a hands-on method. Results also vary by which comparison group is used, which is why the answers above differ between reviews.
Labor length and starting labor
A 2015 review of seven trials (748 women) found acupressure may shorten labor, especially the first stage, and asked for more research before it is used to speed labor. [4] The two points studied most were Spleen 6 and Large Intestine 4. [4] Those two points are also on the list of points traditionally cautioned in pregnancy; see Acupuncture Points Commonly Cautioned in Pregnancy. Do not press points to try to bring on labor yourself. The Cochrane review on induction found no clear benefit for acupressure in reducing cesarean rate. [5]Finding a trained person
If you want a practitioner, ask your midwife first. Training and licensing vary by place; see Acupuncture Practitioner Licensing and Training by Jurisdiction. For wider cautions across therapies, see Therapies in Pregnancy. We do not list or recommend practitioners.Frequently asked questions
Does acupressure reduce labor pain?
Reviews suggest it may, but most Cochrane comparisons were very low certainty, so it is not established. [2][3]
Can acupressure start labor?
No good evidence. A Cochrane review found no clear benefit in reducing cesarean rate, and a separate review asks for more research on starting labor. [5][4]
Is a wrist band safe for morning sickness?
The NHS lists wrist pressure as one option with some evidence. [8] Trials reported few or no harms, but they were small. [6]
Should I tell my midwife?
Yes. The NHS advises discussing any alternative method with your midwife or doctor. [1]
Is acupressure the same as acupuncture in pregnancy?
No. Acupressure uses pressure only. The Cochrane reviews study the two separately. [2]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy
A 2024 meta-analysis of 11 trials (1,378 pregnant women, moderate quality) found lower symptom scores than with sham acupressure, but strong supportive data are not yet available. [6] The NHS says there is some evidence that pressure on the wrist, using a special band or bracelet or pressing with your fingers, may help relieve symptoms. [8] Cochrane (2015) rated the evidence for wrist-point acupressure as limited. [7]
Safety
In the 2021 meta-analysis, no adverse events were reported in this limited number of studies. [3] Only one trial in the 2024 nausea review reported minimal acupressure-related adverse events. [6] "Not reported" is not the same as "proven safe", because these trials were small and may not have looked for harms carefully.
When to seek care
Pregnancy sickness is common and usually clears up by weeks 16 to 20, but the severe form, hyperemesis gravidarum, can be serious. [8] The NHS says to call your midwife, GP or 111 (UK) if you are vomiting and have very dark urine or have not passed urine for more than 8 hours, or cannot keep food or fluids down for 24 hours. [8] Elsewhere, contact your own maternity provider. In the U.S., call 911 in an emergency. Do not use acupressure to delay care for bleeding, severe pain, reduced baby movements, fever or labor that feels wrong.
References
- NHS (UK), Pain relief in labour. NHS, Pain relief in labour. Read 2026-10-22.
- Smith CA, et al. Acupuncture or acupressure for pain management during labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;2(2):CD009232. PubMed 32032444. Read 2026-10-22.
- Chen Y, et al. Acupressure for labor pain management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Acupunct Med. 2021;39(4):243-252. PubMed 32811182. Read 2026-10-22.
- Mollart LJ, Adam J, Foureur M. Impact of acupressure on onset of labour and labour duration: a systematic review. Women Birth. 2015;28(3):199-206. PubMed 25911499. Read 2026-10-22.
- Smith CA, Armour M, Dahlen HG. Acupuncture or acupressure for induction of labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;10:CD002962. PubMed 29036756. Read 2026-10-22.
- Efficacy and safety of acupressure in nausea and vomiting during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2024. PubMed 38104041. Read 2026-10-22.
- Matthews A, et al. Interventions for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(9):CD007575. PubMed 26348534. Read 2026-10-22.
- NHS (UK), Vomiting and morning sickness. NHS, Vomiting and morning sickness. Read 2026-10-22.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.