Objective

2

To evaluate the effects of acupuncture at Hegu (LI4)

Taichong (LR3) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) on pain

anxiety

intrapartum blood loss

labor stage

and neonatal outcomes in primiparas.

Methods

2

One hundred primiparas were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (50 cases

1 case was eliminated) and a control group (50 cases). The conventional obstetrical nursing was given in the control group. On the basis of the intervention in the control group

acupuncture was applied at bilateral Hegu (LI4)

Taichong (LR3) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) in the acupuncture group. The delivery mode and labor stage

the scores of visual analogue scale (VAS) for uterine contraction pain and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) before and after acupuncture

the intrapartum/postpartum blood loss and massive hemorrhage

as well as the neonatal Apgar score after 1

5

and 10 min of birth

were compared in the two groups.

Results

2

The cesarean section rate was 4.1% (2/49) in the acupuncture group

which was superior to 10.0% (

5/50) in the control group (

P

<

0.05). In the acupuncture group

the time of latent phase of 2-cm cervical dilation

active phase

first and second stages of labor

and total labor stage was shorter than that in the control group (

P

<

0.001)

the intrapartum blood loss and massive hemorrhage rate were lower than those in the control group (

P

<

0.001

P

<

0.05). After acupuncture

the VAS and HAMA scores were decreased compared with those before acupuncture in the acupuncture group (

P

<

0.001)

the VAS and HAMA scores were increased compared with those before acupuncture in the control group (

P

<

0.001). In the acupuncture group

the VAS and HAMA scores after acupuncture were lower than those in the control group (

P

<

0.001)

the changes of the VAS and HAMA scores before and after acupuncture were larger than those in the control group (

P

<

0.001). There were no statistical differences in neonatal Apgar scores between the two groups (P

>

0.05).

Conclusion

2

Acupuncture at Hegu (LI4)

Taichong (LR3) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) can effectively alleviate the pain and anxiety

shorten the labor stage

reduce the intrapartum blood loss and incidence rate of massive hemorrhage

and promote spontaneous delivery

thereby enhancing maternal comfort and safety in primiparas.