Acupuncture needles aim to kickstart labor in overdue moms
NCT ID NCT04744168
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looked at whether acupuncture can help prepare the cervix for labor in women whose pregnancies have gone past 41 weeks. 128 pregnant women received either real acupuncture at five specific points or a placebo acupuncture at a single point. The goal was to see if the real acupuncture improved cervical readiness (Bishop score) and increased the chance of labor starting naturally.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- acupuncture
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a natural way to help start labor in overdue pregnancies, potentially reducing the need for medical induction.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed trial with no phase designation, so results may not be conclusive. The placebo effect is strong with acupuncture, and any benefit may be minimal or not generalizable.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Centre Hospitalier Sud Francilien
Corbeil-Essonnes, 91106, France