Acupuncture helps control pain during delivery, study finds

CM NEWS – Acupuncture is able to help first time moms to better endure pain and labour duration during delivery without side effects, according to a recently published study.

In this randomized controlled trial completed in the Department of Obstetrics and , Vali Asr Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Imam Medical Complex, Tehran, Iran, 144 healthy nulliparous women in active phase were randomised into the study and control group, receiving real and minimal acupuncture, respectively. Visual analogue scale was used to assess pain. Objectives were to evaluate acupuncture effect on pain and labour duration and patients’ willingness to receive acupuncture for subsequent pregnancies.

The aim of the trial is to assess the effects of acupuncture on nulliparous women during labour with respect to pain, labour duration and maternal acceptability.

The results showed that visual analogue scale pain score in the study group was lower after two hours. Active phase duration and the oxytocin units administered were lower in the study group. Study group patients had greater willingness to receive acupuncture again. No adverse effects were detected.

The researchers concluded that acupuncture could reduce pain experience, active phase duration and oxytocin units. Patients were satisfied and no adverse effects were noted.

[Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2007 Feb;47(1):26-30 ]

acupuncture