[Efficacy of ropivacaine injection at acupoints for labor analgesia and its effect on cortisol level in parturients].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of ropivacaine injection at the acupoints Hegu and Sanyinjiao for labor analgesia and its effects on cortisol level in parturients.

Methods: A total of 120 ASA class I-II nulliparous women undergoing spontaneous term labor (37 to 41 weeks of gestation) with a live, singleton fetus in the occiput anterior position and requiring labor analgesia with acupuncture were enrolled in this study. These women were randomized into study group and control group and received injections of 1 mL of 0.