Acupuncture With Manual and Electrical Stimulation to Reduce Labour Pain

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Acupuncture to Reduce Labour Pain

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of manual acupuncture and electro-acupuncture on labour pain.

Acupuncture is used in obstetric care in spite of insufficient evidence of its potential to reduce labour pain. The findings so far are contradictory, which may reflect methodological limitations. The present study will take issues into account, such as sufficiently large sample to allow detection of possible differences between study groups; optimal timing of the intervention; controlling for intensity of the treatment; qualified training of persons giving the treatment; biological markers of pain and stress; possible effects on mother and infant; women's experiences such as overall birth experience and memory of pain.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Admission to the labour ward in spontaneous onset of labour
• Latent or active phase of labour
• Nulliparity
• Singleton pregnancy, cephalic presentation
• Gestation: 37+0 to 41+6 (weeks + days)
• Expressed need for labour pain relief
• Swedish speaking (well enough to understand written and oral instructions)

Exclusion Criteria:

• No pharmacological pain relief within 24 hours prior to inclusion into the study
• Severe preeclampsia
• Treatment with oxytocin at the time point of allocation
• Treatment with anticoagulant
• Pacemaker