The aim of this study is evaluation of acupuncture effectiveness on labor pain.
Inclusion criteria:18-35 age, first or second term pregnancy(37-42 weeks),active phase of labor (4-5 cm dilatation), no history of abortion, EP,Mole, chronic or acute illness, infertility, no CPD, have not received any painkiller until four hours before intervention .
Exclusion criteria: fetal distress, severe maternal hemorrhage and thick meconium
pregnant women in control group underwent the hospital's routine cares.The Pethidine group, after entering into the active phase of labor, received 50 mg intramuscular Pethidine but the injection was no longer repeated.In acupuncture group when entering into the active phase of labor was proved two needles were inserted in LI 4 point (Hegu point) in two hands and in ST-36 point (Zu san li point) in two legs that were disinfected by alcohol.The needles are left in the points for 20 to 30 minutes. Before intervention, using VAS pain ruler, pain severity was measured in three groups and between the contractions. Then thirty minutes after intervention, pain severity was again assessed, and once more it was measured at the end of the first phase at full dilatation.