Intrapartum Acupuncture

Carr, D; Lythgoe, J

Abstract

Acupuncture is becoming widely recognised as an effective method of pain
relief and is being increasingly integrated within the NHS, particularly for the treatment
of tension-type headache, migraine and low back pain. Acupuncture during labour has
been shown by a Cochrane review to reduce labour pain intensity, increase patient
satisfaction and limit the use of pharmacological analgesia (Smith et al 2011) and
epidural anaesthesia (Nesheim and Kinge 2006). It may therefore be particularly suited
to labouring women who wish to avoid more invasive forms of pain relief. Furthermore,
women receiving acupuncture in labour appear to experience additional benefits
including shorter labours and reduced rates of instrumental vaginal birth (Smith et al
2011). In the UK, intrapartum acupuncture is usually provided by professional
acupuncturists, but in countries such as Germany and Scandinavia it is widely given by
midwives. A midwife-delivered acupuncture service appears to be a similarly feasible and
cost-effective option in the UK and is currently being piloted at University College
London Hospitals NHS Trust.

Citation

Carr, D., & Lythgoe, J. (2014). Intrapartum Acupuncture. Practising Midwife, May, 10-14

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: May 1, 2014
• Deposit Date: May 21, 2015
• Journal: The Practising Midwife
• Print ISSN: 1461-3123
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Volume: May
• Pages: 10-14
• Publisher URL: http://www.practisingmidwife.co.uk/page.php?id=1