41 weeks. Acupuncture has been used in China to flip breached babies, induce or augment labor contractions, reduce pain in labor, and for other birth-related reasons, for more than 2000 years. ⁣ ⁣ The exact mechanism underlying acupuncture to induce labor is still being studied, but evidence shows stimulation of the uterus by hormonal changes or by the nervous system. It is hypothesized that acupuncture neuronal stimulation may increase uterine contractility either by central oxytocin release or by parasympathetic stimulation of the uterus.¹⁣ ⁣ In a 2013 Cochrane review on acupuncture for labor induction, the researches looked at 14 randomized control trials of acupuncture for labor induction and cervical ripening, that included more than 2,200 participants.² ⁣ They were mostly interested in safety and through their research, did not attribute any miscarriages, pre-term births, or any other obstetric complications to acupuncture in pregnancies without complications. ⁣ ⁣ Smith, et al. found that people who had acupuncture were more likely to have greater cervical ripening as evidenced by increased Bishop scores over a 24-hour period. This was compared, both to usual care (no acupuncture), and to what is called sham acupuncture (performing the actions of acupuncture with fake needles). ⁣ ⁣ Looking at the most promising study reviewed, a German study assigned 553 people to either acupuncture, sham, or usual care. The acupuncture group had shorter labors, and more cervical ripening, compared to the two other groups.⁣ ⁣ While more research on acupuncture for labor induction is needed, I personally have seen acupuncture work best by beginning 1-2 sessions per week at 38 weeks, then increasing to consecutive treatments around due date.⁣ ⁣ -⁣ ¹ Tempfeer C, Zeisler H, Heinzl H, Hefler L, Husslein P, Kainz CH. Influence of acupuncture on maternal serum levels of interleukin‐8, prostaglandin F2 alpha, and beta‐endorphin: a matched pair study. Obstetrics & Gynecology 1998;92(2):245‐8. ⁣ ⁣ ² Smith CA, Crowther  CA, Grant  SJ. Acupuncture for induction of labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 8. Art. No.: CD002962. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002962.pub3.