[Uterine contractile activity in parturients of a group at risk for prolonged pregnancy prepared for labor by acupuncture reflexotherapy].

Prenatal preparation by using acupuncture was studied for effects on the clinical course and uterine contractility in 181 parturients who were at a high risk for prolonged pregnancy. With prenatal acupuncture, labor occurred in time in most parturients. Seven (3.8%) labors were delayed, 4 babies were born having signs of postmaturity. Antenatal amniotic fluid discharge was seen in 19% of the parturients, uterine inertia occurred in 19.8%, Cesarean deliveries were observed in 24 parturients. Internal tocographic assessment of uterine contractility revealed higher amplitudes, which contributed to the favorable course of labors. Acupuncture favored term labor in the pregnant females, the pattern of uterine contractility showed no changes during the delivery.