Acupuncture and/or sweeping of the fetal membranes before induction of labor: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial
-
Bodil Birgitte Andersen
,
Birthe Knudsen
Abstract
Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture, and sweeping of the fetal membranes, as methods for induction of labor.
Methods: Four hundred and seven pregnant women with normal singleton pregnancies and cephalic presentations were randomized at three delivery wards in Denmark at day 290 of gestation into groups of acupuncture, sweeping, acupuncture and sweeping and controls. The primary objective was to compare the proportion of women going into labor before induction of labor at 294 days in the four groups. The secondary objective was to compare the combined groups: with and without acupuncture, and with and without sweeping of the fetal membranes. The midwives, completing the forms for the trial at labor or induction, were blinded to group assessments.
Results: Four hundred and seventeen women were randomized. Ten were excluded after randomization. One hundred and four women were randomized to acupuncture, 103 to sweeping of the membranes, 100 to both acupuncture and sweeping, and 100 were randomized to the control group. Comparison of the four groups demonstrated no significant difference in the number of women achieving spontaneous labor before planned induction. No difference was demonstrated by comparing the combined groups treated with acupuncture with the groups not treated with acupuncture (P=0.76). However, significantly more women went into labor before planned induction (P=0.02) in the combined groups receiving sweeping, compared with the groups not treated with sweeping.
Conclusions: Acupuncture at 41+ weeks of gestation did not reduce the need for induction. The study was of a sufficient size to demonstrate, in parallel, that sweeping of the fetal membranes significantly reduced the need of induction, sparing about 15% for formal induction of labor.
References
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The authors stated that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article.
©2013 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston
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Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- Masthead
- Review Article
- Is 5-methyltetrahydrofolate an alternative to folic acid for the prevention of neural tube defects?
- Original Articles – Obstetrics
- Differences and similarities in the transcriptional profile of peripheral whole blood in early and late-onset preeclampsia: insights into the molecular basis of the phenotype of preeclampsiaa
- The correlation of ultrasonographic placental architecture with placental histology in the low-risk primigravid population
- The course of angiogenic factors in early- vs. late-onset preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome
- Effect of maternal body mass index on oxytocin treatment for arrest of dilatation1)
- Maternal weight gain in women with gestational diabetes mellitus
- Clinical risk factors for complete and partial placental retention – a case-control study
- Diagnostic problems in case of twin pregnancies: US vs. MRI study
- Subsequent pregnancy after stillbirth: obstetrical and medical risks
- MTHFR C677T polymorphism, folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine in recurrent pregnancy losses: a case control study among north Indian women
- Acupuncture and/or sweeping of the fetal membranes before induction of labor: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial
- First trimester maternal serum placental protein 13 levels in singleton vs. twin pregnancies with and without severe pre-eclampsia
- Relaparotomies after cesarean sections: risk factors, indications, and management
- The impact of route of anesthesia on maternal and fetal ischemia modified albumin levels at cesarean section: a prospective randomized study
- Infection and smoking are associated with decreased plasma concentration of the anti-aging protein, α-klothoa
- Effect of oxygen tension on bacteria-stimulated cytokine production by fetal membranes
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- Is there a relationship between fetal brain function and the fetal behavioral state? A fetal MEG-study
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- Infrared thermography for detailed registration of thermoregulation in premature infants
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