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. 2007 Dec;4(4):409-17.
doi: 10.1093/ecam/nem012.

Complementary and alternative approaches to pain relief during labor

Michel Tournaire  1 , Anne Theau-Yonneau
Affiliations

Complementary and alternative approaches to pain relief during labor

Michel Tournaire et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2007 Dec.

Abstract

This review evaluated the effect of complementary and alternative medicine on pain during labor with conventional scientific methods using electronic data bases through 2006 were used. Only randomized controlled trials with outcome measures for labor pain were kept for the conclusions. Many studies did not meet the scientific inclusion criteria. According to the randomized control trials, we conclude that for the decrease of labor pain and/or reduction of the need for conventional analgesic methods: (i) There is an efficacy found for acupressure and sterile water blocks. (ii) Most results favored some efficacy for acupuncture and hydrotherapy. (iii) Studies for other complementary or alternative therapies for labor pain control have not shown their effectiveness.

Keywords: acupuncture; biofeedback; complementary and alternative medicine; delivery; homeopathy; hydrotherapy; hypnosis; labor; labor pain; manual healing; pain; sophrology; sterile water blocks; stimulation; transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; yoga.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Components of pain (6).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Pain scores (4–6).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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