Overview
The first birth process is from the beginning of accouchement to orifice of uterus open completely, and during this period, if uterine contraction can not increase gradually, which would cause first birth process to exceed 24 h is called prolonged labor. It is mostly caused by innate weakness of the body, and supporting the fetus after pregnancy leading to more damaged to healthy energy; or parturition too early, endochylema breaking early, consuming of qi and blood; or excessive idleness of pregnant woman antepartum, or overstrain when about to give birth, or invasion of cold, which will lead to disorder of vital energy, and unsmooth of smooth. Therapeutic principle is to invigorate vital energy and blood, moistening fetus to promote pregnancy; soothing the qi and removing blood stasis to promote pregnancy.

Treatment
1. Hegu (LI 4)
Let the pregnant woman be dorsal position, with routine sterilization, needle Hegu (L14) perpendicularly at the depth of about 1 cun with 1.5 cun 28 gauge filiform needle. Adopt lifting and inserting, twirling and rotating method after obtaining the qi with medium intensity, which should be manipulated once every 5 minutes.

2. Sanyinijiao (SP 6)
Let the pregnant woman be dorsal position, with routine sterilization, needle Sanyinijiao (SP6) perpendicularly at the depth of about 1-1.5 curt with 1.5-2 cun28 gauge filiform needle. Adopt lifting and thrusting, twirling and rotating method after obtaining the qi with medium intensity irritation, the acupuncturist should manipulate the needles continuously.

3. Zhiyin (BL 67)
Let the pregnant woman dorsal position, with routine sterilization, needle perpendicularly at the depth of about 0.1 cun with 1 cun 28 gauge filiform, needle with twirling and rotating method slowly and intermittently.

Note
1. Acupuncture has an effect in enhancing uterine contraction, and has good therapeutic effect on dystocia or prolonged labor caused by abnormal uterine action.

2. The adjustment of acupuncture to pregnant woman and fetus is mitigate, and without harmful effects. It can also lower blood pressure a little, and prevent hemorrhea after childbirth. Simultaneously, acupuncture has a satisfactory analgesic effect during sub partum, and which effect quickly, significant, safe and without side effect.

3. Do prenatal diagnosis clearly. If find abnormal occurrence of birth canal and fetal position, should treat promptly. All puerperal with structural disease should prepare to abdominal delivery ahead of schedule, and conjugation with four physical examinations, to predict whether or not deficiency of vital energy and blood of puerperal, which would give prevention and cure to those weakness of uterine contraction. If has shown up weakness of uterine contraction, should find out the reason, and adopt measures to strengthen uterine contraction.