Acupuncture to Reduce Labor Pain

The shadows of pain during labor will often haunt the women who give birth. Labor pain is felt because of the uterine contractions caused by dilation of the cervix and lower uterine segment.

With medical progress, found a variety of methods of pain control, either pharmacologically (with drugs) and nonfarmakologis.

Nonfarmakologis method can be done through a psychological approach, such as hypnotherapy and sensory approach, such as acupuncture, and no manual intervention, such as hydrotherapy.

Excess nonfarmakologis method, according to physician obstetrics gynecology from District General Hospital Dr Moewardi, Solo, Abdurahman Laqif, no need to use the drug. As for overcoming pain pharmacologically using drugs can cause side effects such as long-term effects on infant, maternal bladder inflammation, and the time of delivery phase of the first stage (from the pain until the full opening) which is longer.

Acupuncture (treatment by needling technique) can be used to reduce pain during labor and shorten the duration of labor.

Block the pain expert anesthesiology, Reanimation, and acupuncture Eleven University School of Medicine March (UNS) in Solo, Sudirman Sharif, said that acupuncture stimulates the release of chemicals, like endorphins, enkefalin, dynorphin, serotonin, and noradrenaline, which block the pain and give a sense of calm.

"Acupuncture gives effect to the point that the needle pierced a blood vessel dilation that can absorb chemical substances cause pain," said Sharif who also served in the Orthopaedic Hospital Prof. Dr. Socialization Soeharso over Free Use of Acupuncture in Childbirth Pain in the Faculty of Medicine, UNS Solo, Thursday ( 17 / 2).

Acupuncture began to do when the mother entered the first stage of labor phase, ie when the cervix opens as far as 4 inches. It was performed acupuncture on his back. Needle puncture was performed at admission stage II (from full opening to the fetus out) which is characterized by the existence of power to his (contraction) and straining to push the fetus is born. Acupuncture performed on bones sacrum (the very bottom of the spine).

Acupuncture can inhibit pain arising in a body structure by sending a sensor to a specific section in the spinal cord. Pricking needle at or near the structure that the pain will give effect to block the pain.

"Acupuncture does not eliminate the required contractions during labor. Acupuncture reduces pain to a tolerable limit birth mother. Labor pain, which is a natural pain is still needed as a sign in the birth process, "said Sharif.

According to Sharif, the method of acupuncture to reduce labor pain has not been practiced in Indonesia. To that end, he collaborated with obstetricians introduce this method to the midwives and acupuncturists in the city of Solo. "In Europe, this method is commonly used," he said.

The method of acupuncture to reduce labor pain, Sharif continued, successful team needs support, namely her husband, family, midwives, acupuncturists, and obstetricians in accordance with their respective roles. The action of acupuncture applied with expected normal delivery terms, the mother's blood pressure is normal, and the position of the baby's head first in the birth canal.

"Reduced pain will remove psychological barriers to the mother giving birth so that the process suitable maternity ideal phase," said Abdurahman Laqif.