Ankle point (SP6)
The ankle point may be used by some women, to help stimulate their contractions and help their labour progress. The point is usually found by measuring four of the woman's finger widths above the high point of her inside anklebone, just behind the border of the tibia bone in the lower leg. It is usually recommended that this point is not be used before labour.
The person applying pressure will usually use their index finger (or thumb) for about a minute, on both legs at a time. Pressure time is often interspersed with a rest of 3-4 minutes, before repeating (sometimes several times if the women is slow to respond). Some women find this point to be very tender and will 'breathe through' the pressure time.
Image 4-13 shows the exact position of the ankle point.
Image 4-14 shows pressure being applied to the ankle point to help the labour progress.