OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of ropivacaine injection at the acupoints Hegu and Sanyinjiao for labor analgesia and its effects on cortisol level in parturients.

METHODSA total of 120 ASA class I-II nulliparous women undergoing spontaneous term labor (37 to 41 weeks of gestation) with a live, singleton fetus in the occiput anterior position and requiring labor analgesia with acupuncture were enrolled in this study. These women were randomized into study group and control group and received injections of 1 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine and normal saline, respectively, at each of the acupoints of bilateral Sanyinjiao and Hegu in the first stage of labor. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and at 30, 60 and 120 min after analgesia, the time of labor, delivery outcome and cortisol levels were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe VAS was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (P<0.05). At 120 min after injections of ropivacaine or saline, serum cortisol level was significantly higher in the control group than in the study group (P<0.05). The rates of cesarean section and instrumental delivery and the time of labor were all similar between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONRopivacaine injection at Hegu and Sanyinjiao is effective for labor analgesia and does not prolong the process of labor or increase the rates of cesarean section or instrumental delivery.