The electroacupuncture as alternative for the labour induction in the post-term pregnancy

Objective: To compare the electroacupuncture (EA) efficiency versus synthetic oxytocin (O) during the labour induction in the prolonged pregnancy. Methodology: Healthy women with gestational age >= 42 weeks, Bishop index >= 6 were randomly allocated in one of these two groups. Women in EA group received a low frequency electroacupuncture in the acupoints of Sanyinjao and Taichong; and women in O group were treated with a continue intravenous infusion of 2.5 mUI/min of synthetic oxytocin in saline solution. The length of this treatment was eight hours. The induction, intervals and type of labour, complications mother-foetus and wellbeing of the new-borns were monitored. All data was analysed with the Statistical 8.0. Results: the EA was equally efficient as the O for the labour induction, vaginal deliveries, and for the APGAR on minute five after birth. The length of the intervals II-ITP and DP were lower with O. Conclusions: The EA has similar efficiency to O to induce labour in healthy women in post-term pregnancy.