OBJECTIVETo observe analgesic effect of scalp acupuncture on labor.

METHODSSeventy primiparae with term pregnancy and monocyesis were randomly divided into scalp acupuncture group treated by acupuncture at the Shengzhi area of scalp, and control group by no treatment. Pain grades before and after scalp acupuncture were evaluated with the pain 4-grade rating criteria stipulated by WHO, and the active stage and the second birth process, the Apgar scores of new-born and postpartum hemorrage amount were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe labor pain with 1 to approximately 2 grades was found in 33 cases in the scalp acupuncture group, and 2 cases in the control group with very significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01); the active stage was (130.70 +/- 74.16 ) min and the second birth process was (40.70 +/- 21.65) min in the scalp acupuncture group, and (166.15 +/- 62.65) min and (53.30 +/- 26.93) min in the control group, respectively, with significant differences between the two groups (all P < 0.05); and there were no significant differences in Apgar score of new-born and postpartum hemorrhage amount.

CONCLUSIONScalp acupuncture has a better analgesic effect in vaginal delivery with no adverse effect on the mother and infant.