Welcoming the miracle of motherhood is a remarkable journey that requires special care and attention. As expectant mothers prepare for the arrival of their little ones, it's essential to explore safe and natural methods to support the body during labour and facilitate postpartum recovery. Acupuncture, a time-honoured practice rooted in Chinese medicine, offers a gentle and holistic approach that can benefit both mothers-to-be and new mothers. This article will explore how acupuncture can help with labour preparation and postpartum recovery, providing insights into its efficacy and benefits.

How Does Acupuncture Help with Labor?

Preparing for labour can mix excitement and anxiety for expectant mothers. Acupuncture offers a supportive modality that promotes a smoother and more comfortable labour experience. By targeting specific acupuncture points, this ancient therapy can stimulate the body's natural processes and address common discomforts associated with childbirth.

During pregnancy, acupuncture sessions can focus on preparing the body for labour by promoting relaxation, optimising energy flow, and enhancing overall well-being. It can help with pain management, reducing anxiety, and improving hormonal balance, setting the stage for a positive birthing experience.

Acupuncture has been found to stimulate the release of endorphins, the body's natural pain-relieving chemicals. This can provide significant relief during labour and potentially reduce the need for pharmacological pain management. Moreover, acupuncture has been shown to promote uterine contractions, helping to facilitate the progression of labour.

Acupuncture for Normal Delivery

Acupuncture has long been used as a complementary therapy to support normal delivery. By utilising specific acupuncture points, practitioners aim to encourage the optimal positioning of the baby, facilitate cervical ripening, and enhance uterine contractions. This can contribute to a smoother progression of labour and a reduced risk of medical interventions.

One commonly used acupuncture point for normal delivery is Spleen 6 (SP6), "Three Yin Intersection." Located on the inner ankle, SP6 is believed to promote proper uterine function, aid in cervical ripening, and help position the baby in the optimal head-down position. Another frequently used point is Large Intestine 4 (LI4), located on the web between the thumb and index finger. LI4 is believed to stimulate contractions and assist in promoting a natural delivery.

Moreover, acupuncture sessions leading up to the due date can help women feel more physically and mentally prepared. The relaxation effects of acupuncture may also alleviate stress and anxiety, promoting a more calm and controlled birthing environment.

Benefits of Acupuncture at the End of Pregnancy

As pregnancy nears its final stages, expectant mothers may face unique challenges and discomforts. Acupuncture can offer significant benefits during this crucial period, helping mothers-to-be navigate the physical and emotional demands of late pregnancy.

One of the primary benefits of acupuncture at the end of pregnancy is its ability to promote natural labour induction. Through targeted stimulation of specific acupuncture points, practitioners aim to encourage the onset of labour when the body and baby are ready. This approach can be particularly beneficial for women who wish to avoid medical interventions such as induced labour.

Research has shown that acupuncture may help increase cervical ripening, which is the softening and thinning of the cervix in preparation for labour. Acupuncture may also assist in promoting uterine contractions, helping to initiate the labour process naturally. This can lead to a smoother and more efficient labour experience.

Additionally, acupuncture can help alleviate common late-pregnancy discomforts such as back pain, swollen ankles, and sleep disturbances. By balancing the body's energy flow, acupuncture supports overall well-being and prepares the mother for the upcoming birth and postpartum period.

Acupuncture sessions in the final weeks of pregnancy can also help promote relaxation and reduce stress levels. Pregnancy can be a time of heightened emotions and anxiety, and acupuncture's calming effects can provide much-needed emotional support. By creating a sense of inner calm and balance, acupuncture contributes to a more positive mindset as the mother approaches the birth of her child.

Can Acupuncture Help with Postpartum Depression (PPD)?

The postpartum period brings emotions and hormonal fluctuations; some women may experience postpartum depression (PPD). Acupuncture has shown promise in providing relief and support for women navigating this challenging phase.

Research suggests that acupuncture can help regulate hormones, reduce stress, and promote emotional well-being, making it a potential complementary therapy for managing PPD symptoms. By addressing the underlying imbalances in the body, acupuncture aims to restore harmony and support mental health postpartum.

Acupuncture sessions can help women transition smoothly through the hormonal shifts after childbirth. By promoting the release of endorphins and regulating neurotransmitters, acupuncture may alleviate feelings of sadness, anxiety, and irritability associated with postpartum depression.

It is important to note that acupuncture should be utilised as a part of a comprehensive treatment plan for PPD, including professional medical guidance and emotional support. It is essential to consult with healthcare providers experienced in treating postpartum mental health to create a personalised approach that addresses individual needs.

What Type of Therapy Is Best for Postpartum?

Postpartum recovery is a crucial phase where new mothers require support and care to regain their strength and adjust to the demands of motherhood. Acupuncture, with its gentle and non-invasive approach, can be an excellent therapy to aid in postpartum healing and well-being.

In addition to addressing specific concerns, such as pain management and hormonal balance, acupuncture promotes relaxation and stress reduction. This can be particularly beneficial for new mothers who may experience physical discomfort, fatigue, and emotional fluctuations postpartum.

However, it's important to note that postpartum care is multifaceted, and a holistic approach is recommended. Alongside acupuncture, other therapies such as nutritional support, gentle exercise, and emotional counselling can play vital roles in postpartum recovery. Consulting with a healthcare professional specialising in postpartum care can help tailor a comprehensive treatment plan that meets individual needs.

Best Acupuncture Points for Postpartum

Acupuncture utilises specific points on the body to target various conditions and promote healing. When it comes to postpartum recovery, several acupuncture points can be particularly beneficial:

Spleen 6 (SP6): Located on the inner ankle, SP6 is known for its ability to support reproductive health and balance hormones. It can help regulate menstrual cycles, alleviate postpartum bleeding, and promote well-being.

Pericardium 6 (PC6): Found on the inner forearm, PC6 is known as the "Neiguan" point. It is commonly used to address nausea and vomiting, making it beneficial for postpartum women who may experience morning sickness or digestive issues.

Kidney 3 (KD3): Situated on the inner ankle, KD3 is a powerful point for promoting energy and balancing the body. It can help address fatigue, support kidney function, and enhance overall vitality during the postpartum period.

Governing Vessel 20 (GV20): Located on the top of the head, GV20 is known as the "Baihui" point. It is a calming point that can help alleviate anxiety, stress, and mental fatigue, providing emotional support during the postpartum phase.

These are just a few acupuncture points that can benefit postpartum recovery. However, it's important to remember that each individual's needs may vary, and a qualified acupuncturist will assess the specific concerns and tailor the treatment plan accordingly.

During postpartum acupuncture sessions, the practitioner will consider the mother's overall health, energy levels, and specific postpartum symptoms. They will then select the appropriate acupuncture points to address discomfort, promote healing, and support the body's natural processes.

Acupuncture offers a safe and gentle approach to labour preparation and postpartum recovery, providing expectant and new mothers with natural support. From aiding in labour progression to promoting hormonal balance and addressing postpartum challenges, acupuncture can enhance overall well-being during this transformative time. However, seeking guidance from a qualified acupuncturist and working with healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive care and support throughout motherhood is essential.

Remember, each woman's experience is unique, and it's essential to consult with healthcare providers and specialists for personalised advice and treatment options. With the proper support and care, acupuncture can be a valuable tool in helping mothers navigate the transformative journey of childbirth and postpartum recovery. Embrace the healing power of acupuncture and embrace the joys of motherhood with confidence and well-being.

© The Acupuncturists Ltd

In the first two decades of the twentieth century the Socialist Party appeared to be a growing force in American politics. As Socialist agitators and newspaper editors denounced the evils of the expanding capitalist system, organizers mobilized laborers into unions and Socialist candidates throughout the country won offices at the city, state, and even federal level. Yet by the early 1920s the Socialist Party was in a decline even swifter than their rise, with its membership riven by infighting and marginalized by the increasingly conservative mood of the nation.

No figure better personified the trajectory of the Socialist Party’s fortunes during this era than Eugene Victor Debs. As the party’s five-time nominee for the presidency of the United States, Debs was buoyed by rapidly increasing voter numbers during his first four campaigns for the office. When he ran for the final time in 1920, however, he did so from a federal penitentiary in Atlanta thanks to a wartime conviction for sedition. It was a testament to Debs’s appeal that even while incarcerated he received over 900,000 votes, though as a percentage of the vote is was little more than half of the total he had received in his last bid for the office. No subsequent Socialist party candidate was ever able to improve upon that result, however.

In his biography of Debs, Nick Salvatore makes it clear that a major reason why none of Debs’s successors could duplicate his achievement was because none brought what he did to the party. As a longtime labor leader, Debs possessed an unmatched credibility with working-class Americans, his sacrifices on behalf of whom was part of his appeal. Yet as Salvatore explains, the basis of Debs’s approach to socialism was far more complex than that. The son of French immigrants, Debs left school at an early age to work for one of the local railroad companies. In 1875 he joined the Brotherhood of Local Firemen, and quickly distinguished himself with his tireless activism on the organization’s behalf. It was as a union leader that Debs became nationally famous, as he worked to establish an industrial union in response to the growing centralization and corporatization of the railroad business in Gilded Age America.

The demise of the American Railway Union (ARU) in the aftermath of the Pullman Strike in 1894 convinced Debs of the inadequacy of unionization as a response to business concentration. While in jail for violating a federal injunction, Debs began reading texts advancing socialist ideas. Upon his release, Debs pushed the remnants of the ARU to join with others to create a new political party advocating for socialist policies. Debs’s prominence as a labor activist made him a natural choice as their presidential candidate in 1900, a task he accepted reluctantly but threw himself into with determination. Salvatore devotes as much attention to history of the Socialist Party during this period as he does to Debs himself, detailing the infighting that shaped its development. As he had as a labor leader Debs stayed clear of factional disputes, preserving his appeal within the fractious party but at the cost of allowing the personal and ideological disagreements to fester.

Though Salvatore describes the issues that divided Socialist Party leaders, he emphasizes that these were of secondary concern to Debs. Unlike the doctrinaire approach of many of its members, Debs grounded his Socialist advocacy in the Protestant theology and republican ideology he had inculcated since his youth. By positing socialism as the path towards realizing the nation’s democratic and egalitarian ideas, he made it far more appealing to American voters than abstract theories ever could have been. Coupled with Debs’s bona fides as a labor leader and his earnest and effective style of speechmaking, he became the party’s greatest asset for advancing its vision for a better tomorrow.

Yet Debs was far from the only critic of industrial capitalism in these years. As Salvatore notes, other presidential candidates were also denouncing its excesses and offering political solutions in an effort to win voters. While each election seemed to bring the Socialist Party closer to a breakthrough, the 1912 presidential election proved a high-water mark for their fortunes. As Progressive era reforms and the outbreak of war in Europe shifted the public discourse to other matters. Debs’s criticisms of the Wilson administration eventually resulted in his arrest and conviction, while his subsequent prison term proved detrimental to his frail health. Released after President Warren Harding commuting his sentence, Debs spent his final years as a shadow of his former self, trying to navigate a fractured socialist movement that struggled for relevance in the Roaring Twenties.

By situating Debs’s life within the context of the developing capitalist economy, Salvatore conveys insightfully the factors in his subject’s own transformation from a respected trade unionist and promising Democratic politician into the leading Socialist figure of his age. As a result, Debs goes from being a marginal political figure in the nation’s history to one at the heart of the choices faced by millions of Americans as values and social structures evolved in response to industrialism and the changes it brought. It makes for a book that is an absolute must-read for anyone interested in learning about Debs, and one that is unlikely ever to be surpassed as a study of his life and times.

When he died in 1951 Ernest Bevin was eulogized by many for his decade-long service as a cabinet minister. As Minister of Labour in Winston Churchill’s wartime government, he presided over the mobilization of the British workforce for the war effort, while as Foreign Secretary in the postwar Labour government he worked for the reconstruction of Europe and shaped the West’s response to the challenge posed by the newly-dominant Soviet Union. Yet this remarkable period came after a long career as a labor organizer, during which he played a pivotal role in the growth of British unions during the first half of the 20th century.

It is this period of Bevin’s life that is the focus of the first book in Alan Bullock’s three-volume account of his life and achievements. An academic best known for writing the first complete biography of Adolf Hitler, Bullock was invited by Arthur Deakin, Bevin’s successor as the general secretary of the Transport and General Workers’ Union (TGUW), to chronicle Bevin’s multifarious achievements. Bullock rose to this challenge by authoring one of the great works of modern political biography, one that details Bevin’s lifelong efforts on behalf of the workers and the nation he held so dear.

As Bullock details, Bevin’s life of labor began at an early age. Growing up in rural Somerset, Bevin was forced at a young age to quit school and seek work as an agricultural laborer. After moving to Bristol, Bevin was employed in a number of different jobs before finding his calling as a labor organizer for the Dockers’ Union. Bullock shows how Bevin’s work as a labor leader was not just a career but a passion, one in which he invested an enormous amount of his time and energy, often to the point of exhaustion.

Such commitment was necessary given the challenges facing the labor movement in Britain at that time. One of the many strengths of Bullock’s book is in how he sets Bevin’s life in the context of an era, one in which unions struggled against numerous challenges to their existence. He credits Bevin with much of their success during their period, thanks to such achievements as his contributions to the postwar Shaw Inquiry and his key role in the formation in 1922 of the TGWU, his position in which cemented Bevin’s place at the forefront of Britain’s labor leadership.

While Bullock spends the bulk of the book describing Bevin’s many activities, he also draws from them a deeper understanding of his views and motivations. Though Bevin was a committed socialist from an early age, Bullock notes his longstanding ambivalence towards the Labour Party and particularly towards the intellectuals who shaped much of its ideology. In his view, their ideas all too often lacked a grounding in the realities facing the British working class. These Bevin was all too familiar with, as his duties as general secretary often took him across the length and breadth of the country and brought him into direct contact with the circumstances workers faced. Informed by such experiences, Bevin often found the political party claiming to be working on their behalf to be far too detached from problems they sought to address.

Nevertheless, Bevin became more invested in political solutions to these problems over the course of his career. As Bullock shows, this was a consequence of the setbacks facing the labor movement in the interwar era. With Britain’s global economic dominance eroding, workers often experienced the effects of this in the form of reduced wages and high unemployment. Despite his success in organizing workers, Bevin emerged from the famous General Strike of 1926 with a painfully-earned lesson in the limits of direct action. In its aftermath, he increased his involvement in politics, participating in Labour’s victory in the 1929 general election and helping to rebuild the party after their setbacks two years later. Though Bevin was periodically offered opportunities to stand for Parliament during the interwar era, he preferred to work from outside as a union leader, and it was only the demands of war in 1940 that compelled him to abandon his longstanding reluctance to serve in government and accept Winston Churchill’s offer to become Minister of Labour.

By the end of the book, Bullock has left his readers with a thorough grasp of Bevin’s accomplishments as a labor leader. Had he retired as general secretary in 1941 as he intended Bevin still would have lived a life deserving to be written about. As a prelude to his even more noteworthy achievements, though, it is even more worthy of study. Though clearly an admirer of Bevin’s, Bullock is critical enough to draw out key insights that provide a better appreciation of his subject’s views and motivations. His immersion in it results in a text that is often dense with details, but no less readable for it. It’s a book that is absolutely indispensable for anyone seeking an in-depth understanding of one of the greatest figures in modern British history, and it stands as a monument to his lifetime of ceaseless effort.

The Introduction is more by way of a potted biography than anything else - but London's life is endlessly fascinating, so no worries! Amusing snippet: London provately referred to White Fang as "The Call of the Tame."

I picked this book up with the hope of learning about how serfdom actually worked in 18th century Russia and eastern Europe, and I did learn from it, though as with a lot of academic books it seems to have been written with the expectation that only about 12 people would ever read it, all of whom are other researchers in the same or related fields. The writing is unnecessarily dense and there are a lot of unexplained references to authors that this one is apparently refuting.

That said, the author’s thesis is an interesting one: essentially, that in the early modern era, Europe wasn’t so much divided between states where workers were free and states where they were serfs, as on a continuum. Workers in England and France weren’t nearly as “free” as you might believe, and labor laws were actually getting stricter at the time. Workers were often required to sign long labor contracts (a year was common, much longer was possible), and there were criminal penalties for leaving before a contract was completed, with the result that “runaway” workers could be jailed, fined, or even in some rare cases, whipped. Meanwhile, Russian serfs had more freedom of movement than some sources have given them credit for, with some going back and forth between town and the estates, and some areas of the country not sending back runaway serfs at all. Serfs could also initiate lawsuits against landowners, and some won their freedom this way (generally it seems because the landowners as non-nobles weren’t actually qualified to own populated estates), though as always the poor winning lawsuits against the rich was quite rare.

As someone unfamiliar with the literature the author is responding to, I found the arguments related to England and France (and the general descriptions of forced labor in Eurasia and in certain Indian Ocean colonies of the European powers) more coherent than the arguments about Russia. In some places it seemed like Stanziani was being overly technical, as when he points out that the laws establishing serfdom were all really about establishing who could own populated estates rather than delineating serfdom per se. I’m unclear on why this is important. He also seems to gloss over a lot of abuses described in other sources – granted, my other reading on this topic involves popular rather than academic sources, and this book is much too technical to engage with works of that sort at all. But while he states that Russian serfdom was nothing like American slavery, he doesn’t provide much basis for this conclusion.

At any rate, I’m clearly not the intended reader for this book, but I did get some interesting ideas from it. I’d love to see a book on this topic that’s a little more accessible for the general reader.