Research, Pregnancy

Commentary by Debra Betts

Conclusion
Acupuncture at the points Hegu LI-4 and Sanyinjiao SP-6 supports cervical ripening and can shorten the time interval between the woman’s expected date of delivery and the actual time of delivery. Acupuncture comments

Commentary by Debra Betts

Conclusion
Although the research by Lyrendas et all appears to contradict the findings of both Kubista and Kucera and Tempfer the full paper by Lyrendas et all contains interesting details. A control group with twice the number of women in it from the acupuncture group, taking the most subjective time for onset of labour as presentation to delivery suite and a recruiting process that asks women in the acupuncture group to have an invasive medical procedure such as a lumber puncture raises concerns that this study may not be an accurate representation of the benefits of prebirth acupuncture.
Treatment method

Commentary by Debra Betts

Conclusion
That in prigravidas at 33 weeks gestation with breech presentation
moxibustion treatment for 1 to 2 weeks at Zhiyin BL-67 increased fetal
activity during the treatment period and cephalic presentation at 35
weeks and at delivery.

Commentary by Debra Betts

Conclusion
Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for women who experience nausea and dry retching in early pregnancy.