Battlefield Auricular Acupuncture for Control of Post-partum Pain

Screening Visit:

• Obtain signed Informed Consent document and HIPAA Authorization.
• Review past medical history in Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA) to verify the inclusion/exclusion criteria and including previous encounter, vital signs review, medication list, co-morbidities, demographics, problems list, prior obstetric history, and note any prior acupuncture received.
• Record: Date of birth, age, gender, race, ethnicity, last 4 of social security number, current email address.

Randomization: Subjects will then be randomized into one of two groups by one of the Research Coordinators using a random number generator:

• Group 1: Standard of care only.
• Group 2: Standard of care plus Battlefield acupuncture at treatment sites Cingulate gyrus, thalamus, omega 2, shen-men, point zero in both ears (see figures 1-5). The 5 needles will remain in each ear for up to 7 days or allowed to fall out on their own (the patient will be instructed not to remove the needles).
• Subject's ears will be cleansed with an alcohol swab
• Subjects will be given a handout of standard BFA Discharge Instructions including what an infection looks like and what to do in the event of an infection (see attached).

Visit 1: Will occur after a minimum of 6 hours post vaginal birth (up until hospital discharge) to avoid disturbing maternal infant bonding or a minimum of 24 hours post caesarean section to avoid confounding with the anesthesia: