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Pregnancy

Observation on therapeutic effect of scalp acupuncture analgesia on labor

Conclusions: Scalp acupuncture has a better analgesic effect in vaginal delivery with no adverse effect on the mother and infant.

Bo QX, Zhang JX., Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2006 Sep;26(9):659-61.

A new paradigm for depression in new mothers: the central role of inflammation and how breastfeeding and anti-inflammatory treatments protect maternal mental health

Conclusions: PNI research suggests two goals for the prevention and treatment of postpartum depression: reducing maternal stress and reducing inflammation. Breastfeeding and exercise reduce maternal stress and are protective of maternal mood. In addition, most current treatments for depression are anti-inflammatory. These include long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, cognitive therapy, St. John's wort, and conventional antidepressants.

Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, Address: Family Research Laboratory, 126 Horton Social Science Center, 20 College Road, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, 03824, USA

Multivitamins May Lower Preeclampsia Risk

Conclusions: Results from a large study show that regular use of a multivitamin supplement in the months before and during pregnancy may reduce the risk of preeclampsia by as much as 71%.

Bodnar LM, et al. Periconceptional multivitamin use reduces the risk of preeclampsia. 2006. Am J Epidemiol 164(5):470-7. 

Massage Benefits Depressed Pregnant Women

Conclusions: Massage eases anxiety and depression, as well as leg and back pain, in depressed pregnant women, and their newborns seem to benefit as well.

-Source: Touch Research Institutes at the University of Miami School of Medicine, in Florida. Authors: T. Field, Ph.D.; M.A. Diego; M. Hernandez-Reif, Ph.D.; S. Schanberg; and C. Kuhn. Originally published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology, June 2004, Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 115-122.

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

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. 

Gribel GP, Coca-Velarde LG, Moreira de Sá RA.
Maternidade Escola Hospital, Serviço de Obstetrícia, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rua das Laranjeiras, 180 (Laranjeiras), Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22240-003, Brazil. gisele.gribel@ig.com.br

Effect of TCM on plasma beta-endorphin and placental endocrine in threatened abortion

Conclusions: The authors concluded that Chinese herbal Medicine can regulate plasma beta-EP and placental endocrine function in threatened abortion in women with a history of recurrent miscarriage.

Sun F, Yu J. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1999 Feb; 19 (2):87-9.

Effectiveness of Acupuncture for the Initiation of Labour at Term

Conclusions: The interesting results of this pilot trial warrant further investigation into the use of acupuncture for the initiation of labour in women at term.

Gaudet et al, J Obstet Gynaecol Can 2008;30(12):1118–1123

Duration and exclusiveness of breastfeeding and childhood asthma-related symptoms.

Compared to children who were breastfed for 6 months, those who were never breastfed had overall increased risks of wheezing, shortness of breath, dry cough and persistent phlegm during the first four years.

Sonnenschein-van der Voort AM, Jaddoe VV, van der Valk RJ, Willemsen SP, Hofman A, Moll HA, de Jongste JC, Duijts L.Source: Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam The Netherlands.

Acupuncture treatment as breastfeeding support: preliminary data.

Conclusions:
Such preliminary data suggest that 3 weeks of acupuncture treatment were more effective than observation alone in maintaining breastfeeding until the third month of the newborns' lives.

Source: Mother-Infant Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy neri.isabella@unimore.it

Acupuncture - Safe, Effective for Late Pregnancy Back Pain

Conclusions: At the end of the study period, 43% of the acupuncture patients were less bothered than initially by pain during activity compared with 9% of control patients. No serious adverse effects of acupuncture were found in the patients, and there were no adverse effects at all in the infants. Acupuncture relieves low-back and pelvic pain without serious adverse effects in late pregnancy.

Kvorning N, et al. Acupuncture relieves pelvic and low-back pain in late pregnancy. Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica 83(3):246-50.

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