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Electroacupuncture for cervical ripening prior to labor induction: a randomized clinical trial

  • Materno-fetal Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The present study was aimed to compare the effects of the use of electroacupuncture and misoprostol in inducing labor in patients with Bishop score < 7 and to observe the characteristics of labor in both methods.

Methods

As much as 67 pregnant women with Bishop score < 7, single cephalic presentation with gestational age confirmed by first-trimester ultrasound, reactive cardiotocography, and amniotic fluid volume and estimated fetal weight within the respective normal ranges for gestational age were selected. They were randomized into 2 groups: electroacupuncture (AC) or misoprostol (M).

Results

There were no significant differences regarding age, gestational age, fetal weight, parity, Bishop score, or indication for induction. Labor was the main outcome, which was obtained in both groups without significant difference regarding frequency (p = 0.07) and time of induction (p = 0.29). Absence of obstetric complication, higher duration of labor (p = 0.036), and tendency to a higher satisfaction of the patients (p = 0.046) were observed among patients of group AC. Higher frequency of cesarean sections (p = 0.014) and obstetric complications (9.3%) were observed among patients of group M.

Conclusions

Our results showed that electroacupuncture can be used to obtain cervical ripening, with similar results as compared with misoprostol, with a significantly higher frequency of vaginal deliveries and without occurrence of obstetric complications.

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Acknowledgments

The author thank to all the staff of the outpatient clinic of the Maternidade Escola, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro who referred the patients to the study, the physicians who followed the patients, and the ultrasonographists who participated in their selection. The authors acknowledge Dr Paulo Boschcov, for his revision of the final version of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest statement

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Maternidade Escola Hospital, Serviço de Obstetrícia (UFRJ), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rua das Laranjeiras, 180 (Laranjeiras), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22240-003, Brazil

    Gisèle P. C. Gribel

  2. Department of Statistics, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil

    Luis Guillermo Coca-Velarde

  3. Department of Obstetrics, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil

    Renato A. Moreira de Sá

Authors
  1. Gisèle P. C. Gribel
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  2. Luis Guillermo Coca-Velarde
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  3. Renato A. Moreira de Sá
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Correspondence to Gisèle P. C. Gribel.

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Gribel, G.P.C., Coca-Velarde, L.G. & Moreira de Sá, R.A. Electroacupuncture for cervical ripening prior to labor induction: a randomized clinical trial. Arch Gynecol Obstet 283, 1233–1238 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-010-1526-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-010-1526-x

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