Acupuncture administered after spontaneous rupture of membranes at term significantly reduces the length of birth and use of oxytocin. A randomized controlled trial.

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Gaudernack LC1, Forbord S, Hole E    ,  2006;85(11):1348-53.

Acta Obstetrica Gynecologica Scandinavia

Labour times were reduced in women who’s waters had broken if they had acupuncture. There was also significant reduction in the need for oxytocin infusion to augment labor if acupuncture was administered.

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Effect of Acupressure at Hugo Point (LI4) On the Process and Outcomes of Labor in Nulliparous Women

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Aghdam S, Daryabakhsh A, IJOG, 2012;15(27):14-20

Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility.

 

Using simple acupressure on an acupuncture point in the hand was shown to help women in labour in this trial in Iran. The women who received acupressure to point Hegu, or LI 4, found they had shorter labours and experienced less pain at the end of first stage and beginning of second stage, than did the women who had pressure applied to other areas of the hand. Read More →

Acupuncture for Depression During Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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Manber R et al, Obst and Gynec 2010, 115 (3) 511 - 520 Obstetrics and Gynecology
Since there is evidence that the use of antidepressants increases the risk of miscarriage and may have adverse effects on the fetus, there has been much interest in the use of acupuncture to treat depression which occurs in pregnancy.
A number of trials and systematic reviews of the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of depression  have been published over the last 5 years and a meta-analysis of these trials concluded that acupuncture is an effective treatment for depression. This trial looked specifically at depression in pregnancy and found that acupuncture was as effective as other standard treatments and worked more quickly.

 

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Analyzing the Study of Using Acupuncture in Delivery in the Past Ten Years in China

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Yingru Chen et al, ECAM, Volume 2014 (2014), Article ID 672508 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
This paper analyses 87 articles published in the last 10 years in China, including randomized control trials, prospective case studies, reviews and meta-analyses. The reviewers conclude that acupuncture can relieve labor pain, promote childbirth, shorten delivery and treat postpartum disorders.

 

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Using moxibustion in primary healthcare to correct non-vertex presentation: a multicentre randomised controlled trial

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Vas J et al, Acupunct Med 2013;31:31-38 Acupuncture in Medicine
Moxa applied to an acupuncture point on the foot was shown in this trial to be more effective than other treatments in correcting breech presentation between week 33 and 35 of pregnancy. We look forward to more large trials investigating this treatment for breech presentation before recommending it in our clinic.

 

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Electroacupuncture for cervical ripening prior to labor induction: a randomized clinical trial

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Gribel G et al, Arch Gynecol Obstet (2011) 283:1233–1238 Archives Gynecology and Obstetrics
Two groups of women had their labours induced with either electroacupuncture or with prostaglandins. In both groups labour was successfully induced however the electroacupuncture group experienced significantly fewer obstetric complications including caesarian sections.

 

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Cost-effectiveness of breech version by acupuncture-type interventions on BL 67, including moxibustion, for women with a breech foetus at 33 weeks gestation: a modelling approach

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Van den Berg I et al, Complement Ther Med. 2010 Apr;18(2):67-77. Complementary therapies in medicine
The use of acupuncture and moxabustion on women presenting with breech babies at week 33 was assessed in this large restrospective Dutch study. Acupuncture was shown to reduce the number of breech presentations at term, thus reducing the number of caesarean sections. When more trials like this are done and included in a meta-analysis then clinical recommendations can be made.

 

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