 
There are various ways of giving pain relief during
labour including epidural injections, gas and air, TENS machine,
massage and acupuncture.
Until the 1970s, acupuncture was very rarely used
for the relief of pain in labour and delivery because, in accordance
with Chinese culture and oriental tradition, women were expected
to experience the pain of childbirth.
Acupuncture has rapidly become more popular for
women in childbirth today, mainly because it is a natural pain-reliever
with no harmful side effects for mother or baby. Moreover, women
like to feel in control during their labour and delivery, a feeling
of which they may be deprived, if more potent conventional analgesics
are. For example, drugs can be used to start or increase labour,
which means the artificial forcing of a process which has not yet
occurred within the woman's body according to her own natural 'biological
rhythm' This may involve rupturing the amniotic membranes artificially
and then giving the mother an intravenous infusion of Syntocinon
(oxytocin) to stimulate uterine contractions. It is then necessary
to have an epidural because of the increased pain that is frequently
experienced in an induced labour.
Until 1853, anaesthesia for childbirth in England
was unheard of. It was regarded by many to be 'contrary to religion
and the express command of the scriptures'.
Today, women do not want to undergo the pain of
childbirth but they do want to be 'in control' to be allowed to
choose; to be encouraged to trust one's own body to overcome the
pain barrier through its own natural rhythm. There are a number
of ways of achieving the desired balance: Yoga, massage, TENS, Alexander
technique, meditation, and of course, acupuncture.
Although Western doctors today are much more open
to alternative ways, it remains very important for the medical profession
to shake off its doubts and overcome is scepticism towards complementary
medicine, so that women may be offered choice from the outset.
Using Acupuncture during Labour and Childbirth
Ear points are used for analgesia in labour, as
they do not restrict the woman's movements (unlike the use of body
points). One ear is used, although the needles can be changed to
the opposite ear if it becomes sore, or the women wishes to lie
on the side with the needles. The needles are taped in place and
attached to electrodes. The electro-acupuncture apparatus provides
stimulation to the needles and the woman can control it herself,
increasing the intensity when a contraction takes place. This type
of acupuncture can be started at any stage of labour, according
to individual needs.
Difficult labour may result from abnormality of
uterine contractions, an imbalance between the size of the maternal
pelvis and the foetal head, or a bad position of the baby. Acupuncture
can be of help in the first of these, but not for the others. Acupuncture
may be the treatment of choice if contractions have weakened in
strength, rhythm or regularity or if they are totally absent.
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