ACUPUNCTURE FOR PAINLESS LABOR

Pei De'en, Huang Yaolan.

(Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Hospital, fiangsu)

Since 1972, investigation of pain relief by acupuncture in labor was carried out in this hospital. This paper is to report our clinical experience in 100 cases in 1978 and 1981. Selection of points was based on the location of pain. Bilateral Ciliao was selected as main point for lumbo-sacral ache. Puncturing from Fujie to Qichong for abdominal pain associated with lumbosacral ache. The electric acupuncture apparatus was G6805 with continuous wave, which had a pulse output voltage of 3-5 volts and a frequency of 4000/min, for Ciliao and 1500-5000, min, for penetrating FuJie to Qichong. Stimulation was given with increasing intensity and frequent readjustment. Acupuncture was instituted in primiparas when the cervix was 3-4 cm dilated, and in multiparas when the cervix was 2cm dilated. Two hundred cases were treated as such achieving grade I result in 85 cases of primiparas and multiparas (complete pain relief) and 107 cases achieving grade II result (marked pain reduction). Grade I and grade H results were categorized as effective, giving an effective rate of 96%. There were 8 cases with grade HI result (no effect), or 4%. Pain was completely relieved in 85 cases, or 42.5%. In respect to its effect on uterine contraction, 38 cases showed enhancement following acupuncture and 59 cases showed no change, no data were available in 3 cases. Weakening of uterine contraction was not noticed. Based on observation of refractory period and active period of labor chart in contrast to 100 control cases, acupuncture manifested an effect in enhancing, uterine contraction and shortening the course of labor. Regarding the mode of delivery, 70.8% of cases in the acupuncture series ended spontaneously against 73% of the control series. This fact implies the inadequacy of acupuncture to reduce operative delivery. Regarding to the effect in new born, there was no case of asphyxia in acupuncture series and there were 5 cases in the control series, which implied that acupuncture did not adversely effect the new born.

Based on our experiment of acupuncture for painless labor, the authors believe that acupuncture may produce nerve impulses which may travel along the peripheral nerves to lateral funiculus of the spinal cord and finally to the brain. This will interact with the pain impulses from uterus to result in pain relief. Acupuncture may also stimulate the body to release certain chemical substance to raise the pain threshold and the cerebral cortex to exert function of suppression and adjustment of nerve, resulting in coordination with uterine contractions and shortening of course of labor. According to the traditional Chinese medicine, the meridianal system connects the internal viscera with the external extremities and effectiveness in the treatment of diseases if points are selected according to the circulation of meridians. The application of Ciliao is not only safe and effective but also free from adverse effect to mother and infant.