Objective: Inquiring into a safe, effective, simple, practicable method to relieve pain during labor from practical and feasible points of gynecology.

Methods: The therapeutic effect of applying HANS plus diazepam, HANS, diazepam, etc, was observed in 120 cases of normal term pregnancy, single or vertex presentation, primipara when cervix dilated to 2-3cm, by using VAS scores of labor pain, duration of labor, monitor of fetus heart, Apgar standard of newborn baby, umbilical artery blood PH and postpartum blood loss as the indexes: (l) H+A group: Take2 couples of electrode plates of HANS to, stick one couple on Jiaji (EX-B2) symmetrically (located 3cm lateral to T10-L3), the other couple on Ciliao (BL32) symmetrically (located 3cm lateral to S2-S4) The stimulation is given with an alternate frequency of 2/100Hz two-phases symmetrical wave form, intensity off 14-30mA which the patient could tolerate. The stimulation strength frequency can be continuously increased during labor. Meanwhile intravenous injection of 10mg diazepam is applied; (2) H group: Application of HANS is same with that of H+A group, there is no intravenous injection of diazepam; (3) A group: Take 2 couples of electrode plates of HANS to stick one couple on Jiaji (EX-B2) symmetrically (located 3cm lateral to T10-L3), the other couple on Ciliao (BL32) symmetrically (located 3cm lateral to S2-S4), there is no electric stimulation. Meanwhile intravenous injection of 10mg diazepam is applied; (4) O group: Taking 2 couples of electrode plates of HANS to, stick one couple on Jiaji (EX-B2) symmetrically (located 3cm lateral to T10-L3), and the other couple on Ciliao (BL32) symmetrically (located 3cm lateral to S2-S4), there is no electric stimulation. There is no injection of diazepam.

Results: After pain relief, VAS scores of cervical orifice dilation (COD) 2-3cm, COD 7-scm and delivery period of HANS plus diazepam group lower very obviously. In comparison with pre-analgesia, various phases of the control group (P<0.01); After pain relied VAS score of the above mentioned phases in HANS group obviously (P<0.05) in comparison with pre-analgesia. and each period of control group. 1 hour after pain relief, VAS score of diazepam group towers obviously (p<0.05) in comparison with pre-analgesia. VAS scores of COD 7-8cm in delivery period of diazepam group increase slightly, but have no obvious difference in comparison with pre-analgesia.

Conclusion: When HANS and commonly used diazepam in labor are applied simultaneously for relieving pain, VAS scores obviously in comparison with that of control group. The curative effect of this method is better than that of single HANS or diazepam. There is no marked side effect on duration of labor, bleeding after delivery and newborn baby.

By Wu Lianfang, Fan Ling & Zhang Suyun