[Experiments of electro-acupuncture-analgesia during delivery (author's transl)]

We report about 20 patients who underwent electroacupuncture therapy during delivery with intent to reduce labor pains. Acupuncture steel needles situated in the thoracal, lumbal, sacral region and in the region above the symphysis were stimulated by a rectangular impulse current. A good effect for the reduction of labor pains could be observed in 5 cases, a moderate one in 6 cases. An absolute analgetic effect could not be achieved in any case, and in 9 cases no analgetic effect of acupuncture therapy on labor pains was visible. Acupuncture had no influence on labor or fetal heart rate, monitored by cardiotocography.