Treatment of retained placenta with acupuncture

Abstract

References[1] Hnat MD, Sibai BM, Caritis S, Hauth J, Lindheimer MD, MacPherson C, et al. Perinatal outcome in women with recurrent preeclampsia compared with women who develop preeclampsia as nulliparas. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;186(3):422-6. [2] Odendaal HJ, Pattinson RC, Bam R, Grove D, Kotze TJ. Aggressive or expectant management for patients with severe preeclampsia between 28-34 weeks' gestation: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol 1990;76(6):1070-5. [3] Sibai BM, Mercer BM, Schiff E, Friedman SA. Aggressive versus expectant management of severe preeclampsia at 28 to 32 weeks' gestation: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1994;171(3):818-22. [4] Thomas T, Jophy R, Mhaskar A, Misquith D. Are we increasing serious maternal morbidity by postponing termination of pregnancy in severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia? J Obstet Gynecol 2005;25(4):347-51. [5] Bassaw B, Roopnarinesingh S, Sirjusingh A. An audit of perinatal mortality. West Indian Med J 2001;50(1):42-6.

Influence of Acupuncture on the Third Stage of Labor: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Clinical acupuncture has been recommended for the management of retained placentas, 23 and a 2012 study demonstrated the effectiveness of acupuncture for expulsion of retained placentas. 24 However, these studies were done when the placenta was retained one hour after birth, they used more than one acupuncture point, and none of the studies used the Ren Mai 6 acupuncture point.…”

Acupuncture for Retained Placenta: A Retrospective Case Series

“…However, a recent case report described the successful use of acupuncture at KI16 for retained placenta, highlighting its continued use as a non-invasive nonpharmacological method of third stage management. 21 The potential benefits of acupuncture include a reduced rate of manual removal of the placenta, which would be expected to lead to fewer complications such as early postpartum haemorrhage, uterine atony, uterine rupture, puerperal infection, anaemia and adverse side effects of anaesthesia. 21 22 These are potentially serious complications that can prolong recovery time in the early postnatal period.…”

Third Stage of Labor and Acupuncture

“…Its principal advantage would be avoiding manual exploration and complications associated with such a procedure, such as early postpartum hemorrhage, uterine atony, uterine rupture, puerperal infection, anemia, and adverse side-effects of anesthesia. 49 Despite the evidence presented above, rigorous randomized studies, particularly those using objective measures, have failed to identify any obvious benefits from acupuncture for many of the other conditions studied. 50 Acupuncture during labor and delivery is well-tolerated by patients and by medical staff members and practitioners who provide acupuncture delivery.…”