Acupuncture in Postdate Pregnancy Management

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Obstetrics

Background:

• Pharmacological labor induction using prostaglandins and/or oxytocin is common but associated with maternal and fetal side effects.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) proposes acupuncture as a method to ripen the cervix and stimulate uterine contractions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in reducing labor induction rates for prolonged pregnancies.
• To assess acupuncture's impact on the rate of induction planning for other indications.

Main Methods:

• A study enrolled 375 women after 40 weeks of gestation.
• 112 women received acupuncture treatments every other day from 40+2 to 41+4 weeks.
• 263 women received routine care; pharmacological induction was planned at 41+5 weeks for both groups if not in labor.

Main Results:

• The labor induction rate was significantly lower in the acupuncture group (19.6%) compared to the routine care group (38%).
• Specifically, induction for prolonged pregnancy was reduced in the acupuncture group (5.3% vs. 10.1%).
• While prostaglandin use showed no difference, oxytocin infusion rates were lower with acupuncture.

Conclusions:

• Acupuncture applied in late pregnancy appears effective in lowering labor induction rates for prolonged pregnancies.
• Acupuncture may also reduce the need for oxytocin infusion, potentially mitigating associated adverse birth outcomes.