Acupuncture is a treatment that involves inserting fine needles into the body. It is believed to have originated in China, but has been increasingly accepted within Western medicine during the last 30 years. It is widely used by midwives in other European countries including Germany and Sweden for pain relief in labour.

Research has already shown that acupuncture can:

• Reduce labour pain intensity
• Shorten labour
• Reduce need for forceps or ventouse to deliver the baby

The purpose of this study is to find out if acupuncture can be used to treat an established labour that has slowed down, instead of using a drip with a hormone drug to speed up contractions.

You will be able to take part in the study if your midwife or doctor diagnoses that your labour is slower than normal and your waters around the baby have not broken naturally.

You can find out more by downloading the patient information leaflet or viewing the poster briefly explaining the study.