Prolonged Delivery

A Prolonged Delivery is a delivery that lasts more than 24 hours.

Usually caused by either Qi and Blood deficiency or stagnation.

Chinese Medicine Differentiation and Treatment

Qi Blood deficiency not enough Qi to push baby out, water breaks too early leaving no lubrication to the birth canal, contractions are not powerful, woman is pale, exhausted, woman feels like they can’t do it!

Acupuncture points – Tonify, Moxa, foot Taiyin and Yangming, Stomach 36, Kidney 7 and Spleen 6, Bladder 67, Large Intestine 4, Gall bladder 2 - low spirit- Pericardium 6

Qi and Blood stagnation first delivery, very nervous, may have been a lack of exercise throughout pregnancy, before labor, too cold in delivery room, delivery room is not a comfortable tranquil environment, severe abdominal pains but the baby is not moving well, blood is dark red, woman is very irritable, T- dark, P- forceful deep

Principle of Treatment: regulate Qi and Blood

Acupuncture points – sedate, Moxa then needle, Bladder 67, Duyin (second distal phalangeal joint on 2nd toe), Large Intestine 4, Gall bladder 21, Spleen 6

Alternative Treatment Methods for Prolonged Delivery

Ear Acupuncture- uterus, subcortex, sympathetic, Kidney abdomen, intestines, BL, medium to strong stimulation every 3-5 minutes. electrical- Bladder 31, 32, Large Intestine 4, Spleen 6, tens pads (not as effective), strong intermittent frequency