Auricular Acupuncture as Effective Pain Relief After Episiotomy
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2017-04-30
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Background: Episiotomy is performed in up to 30% of vaginal deliveries. Previously, pain
treatment following episiotomy has relied on non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) as
analgesics, whose use during breastfeeding remains controversial due of their transfer to the
child through lactation. The aim of the study is to determine the effect of acupuncture on
postpartal perineal pain following episiotomy.
Methods: The study is designed as a prospective interventional randomized parallel
single-center study to evaluate the effects of auricular acupuncture on pain relief after
episiotomy. The population will encompass 60 patients that have had mediolateral episiotomy
performed during vaginal delivery, with 29 receiving acupuncture therapy and 31 not receiving
acupuncture therapy for pain relief. NSAID analgesic therapy will be made available per
request.