Impact of Acupuncture on Cervical Ripening and Induction of Labor

Background: Acupuncture is now widely recognized in the medical field and is being utilized more frequently by healthcare providers for reproductive health, labor induction, and pain relief. The objective of this study was to assess whether acupuncture in the final stages of pregnancy could impact cervical ripening, stimulate labor, and ultimately decrease the necessity for inducing labor past the due date. Methods: This study included 88 female patients who were either first-time mothers or had been pregnant before. Their estimated conception date was confirmed by their history and their first-trimester ultrasound. They had a straightforward pregnancy, were carrying only one baby in the head-down position, and were at least 36 weeks along in their pregnancy. The patients were split into two equal groups: group A received acupuncture at the Sanyinjiao point (Spleen 6) on both sides after examination, while group B did not receive needle acupuncture. Results: The acupuncture group had significantly higher cervical length and bishop score than the group that did not receive acupuncture (P<0.05). The acupuncture group had a significantly lower overall labor duration and use of oxytocin to augment labor compared to the group that did not receive acupuncture (P<0.05). Conclusions: The exact impact of acupuncture on labor induction remains uncertain. Acupuncture did not show any significant benefit in lowering the rate of cesarean sections.