Zhu Renlie, Kao Xiuhui, Zhou Yulian, Yu Jin (Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai First Medical College)
Between January 1977 and October 1978, at the Obstet. and Gynecol. Hospital of the First Medical College of Shanghai, labour was induced by electroacupuncture stimulation in 771 pregnant women who were postterm or had premature rupture of the membranes. The duration of gestation varied from 37 to 44 weeks.
The points used for acupuncture were Hegu on the hand and Sanyinjiao on the ipsilateral lower leg. Two types of electroacuppncture apparatus, producing square waves and sharp waves, were used.
A success rate of 72.11% was achieved, which was similar to that of pitocin injection 70.24% in 118 cases.
The main factors effecting the results of electro-acupuncture induction were the prelabour pelvic scoring status and whether the membranes were ruptured. The higher the score, the greater the chance for successful induction of labour. The success rate with pelvic scores 7 or greater was significantly higher than that of 6 or lower (P<0.01).
The results of acupuncture induction are neither correlated to the type of electrical stimulation, nor to pre-induction stripping of the membranes or parity (P>0.05).
No maternal risk, and also no deleterious effect on the infant could be demonstrated as being caused by this method of induction.
The exact mechanism of electroacupuncture indution of labour is not yet clearly understood, based upon the several types of uterine contractions observed, it may be considered that effects on the uterus is probably not only neural, but also hormonal.
The biologic actions of progesterone and cortisol in the maintenance of pregnancy and initiation of labor is discussed, but no conclusion is drawn, because of the limited cases with laboratory evaluations. Further investigation will be undertaken.
We feel that electroacupuncture stimulation can be used as an effective, safe, and simple technique in obstetrical practice.
Between January 1977 and October 1978, at the Obstet. and Gynecol. Hospital of the First Medical College of Shanghai, labour was induced by electroacupuncture stimulation in 771 pregnant women who were postterm or had premature rupture of the membranes. The duration of gestation varied from 37 to 44 weeks.
The points used for acupuncture were Hegu on the hand and Sanyinjiao on the ipsilateral lower leg. Two types of electroacuppncture apparatus, producing square waves and sharp waves, were used.
A success rate of 72.11% was achieved, which was similar to that of pitocin injection 70.24% in 118 cases.
The main factors effecting the results of electro-acupuncture induction were the prelabour pelvic scoring status and whether the membranes were ruptured. The higher the score, the greater the chance for successful induction of labour. The success rate with pelvic scores 7 or greater was significantly higher than that of 6 or lower (P<0.01).
The results of acupuncture induction are neither correlated to the type of electrical stimulation, nor to pre-induction stripping of the membranes or parity (P>0.05).
No maternal risk, and also no deleterious effect on the infant could be demonstrated as being caused by this method of induction.
The exact mechanism of electroacupuncture indution of labour is not yet clearly understood, based upon the several types of uterine contractions observed, it may be considered that effects on the uterus is probably not only neural, but also hormonal.
The biologic actions of progesterone and cortisol in the maintenance of pregnancy and initiation of labor is discussed, but no conclusion is drawn, because of the limited cases with laboratory evaluations. Further investigation will be undertaken.
We feel that electroacupuncture stimulation can be used as an effective, safe, and simple technique in obstetrical practice.
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