PRE-LABOUR ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
In 2004 a study was carried out looking a 169 women who received pre-birth acupuncture (from week 37) given by midwives who were then compared to local population rates for gestation at onset of labour, incidence of medical induction, length of labour, use of analgesia and type of labour.
FINDINGS: there was an overall 35% reduction in the number of medical inductions (for women having their first baby, there was a 43% reduction) and a 31% reduction in the epidural rate. The midwives involved in the study also noted a trend in the women who received pre-birth treatment to respond particularly well to acupuncture induction, further reducing the need for medical induction. (acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/Handouts-Research.aspx)