Acupressure for inducing labour for nulliparous women with post-dates pregnancy

• Induction of labour is a common procedure performed in around 20% of pregnancies.
• Many women use complementary therapies to reduce medical intervention.
• Acupressure does not appear to be effective at inducing labour in nulliparous women.

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of acupressure for induction of labour for nulliparous women with a post-dates pregnancy.DesignA single-blind randomised trial.SettingAntenatal and labour ward of a UK district general hospital.ParticipantsOne hundred and thirty two women requiring induction of labour with a post-dates pregnancy (>41 weeks gestation) with no significant medical, obstetric or fetal condition.MethodAcupressure: 20 intermittent presses to stimulate each pair of acupressure points; (Large Intestine 4, followed by Spleen 6) or ‘Sham” treatment: 20 intermittent presses to the patella and then to the olecranon.Main outcome measuresTreatment-to-commencement of labour interval.Secondary outcome measuresRequirements for oxytocin, mode of delivery, duration of labour, requirement for pre-labour Caesarean section, presence of meconium, neonatal intensive care admission, 5 min Apgar scores, and evaluation of maternal satisfaction.ResultsThere were no significant differences between the two groups in treatment-to-commencement of labour interval, requirements for oxytocin or mode of delivery. Fewer inductions of labour were required in the sham treatment group (p = 0.004 CI 1–35). The incidence of meconium-stained liquor, and neonatal outcomes were similar for both groups.ConclusionsAcupressure performed at 41 weeks gestation in nulliparous women does not appear to be effective for inducing labour for post-dates pregnancy.