A PRÁTICA DA ACUPUNTURA E ACUPRESSÃO PARA O ALÍVIO DA DOR E PREPARAÇÃO DO PARTO

Abstract

During pregnancy, women face several physical and emotional transformations, often accompanied by significant discomfort. In this context, holistic interventions are essential to complement conventional care and improve the gestational experience. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the use of Integrative and Com- plementary Practices (ICPs), specifically acupuncture and acupressure, as promising methods for pain relief and preparation for childbirth in pregnant women. For this purpose, an integrative literature review of a qualitative and exploratory nature was carried out in LILACS, SCIELO, PUBMED and Google Scholar data- bases, published between 2018 and 2021. This review used the PICO strategy to answer the guiding question: Can acupuncture contribute to pain relief in pregnant women? After an initial evaluation of the articles, 12 studies were selected indicating that acupuncture and acupressure are effective in reducing pain during labor, contributing to a calmer and less painful delivery. In addition, improvements in sleep quality, improvement in depressive symptoms and nausea, as well as postural improvements were observed. Thus, this review showed that acupuncture can help reduce invasive medical interventions and unnecessary procedures during labor, promoting a more natural and less interventionist approach. These practices represent a holistic and complementary approach that deserves broader consideration and integration into health systems for pregnant women, aiming at a more positive and less painful gestational experience.