What acupuncture points can induce labor for birth?

Acupuncture Points for Labor Induction

There is insufficient evidence to support the use of acupuncture for labor induction, as clinical trials have not demonstrated consistent effectiveness compared to sham acupuncture or usual care. 1

Key Acupuncture Points Studied for Labor Induction

While the evidence doesn't strongly support effectiveness, the following acupuncture points have been investigated for labor induction:

• Spleen-6 (SP6) - Also called "three-yin intersection" or SanyinJiao, located approximately 4 fingers superior to the most superior point of the medial malleolus 2
• Large Intestine-4 (LI4) - Also called "Hegu" or "Joining Valley," found on the dorsum of the hand at the midpoint of the second metacarpal bone 2
• Bladder-67 (BL67) - Used in some studies but with limited evidence of effectiveness 3, 4
• Governor Vessel-20 (GV20) - Used in combination with other points in some trials 4

Evidence Assessment

Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

• A 2017 Cochrane systematic review analyzing 22 trials with 3,456 women found no clear benefit from acupuncture or acupressure in reducing cesarean section rates or improving labor outcomes 1
• The quality of evidence across studies ranges from low to high, with many studies having moderate risk of bias 1

Individual Clinical Trials

• A double-blind randomized controlled trial using acupuncture points LI4, SP6, and BL67 found no significant difference between acupuncture and sham acupuncture for labor initiation (94.7% vs 89.2%, p=0.430) 3
• Another double-blind randomized controlled study using points GV20, BL67, LI4, and SP6 showed no significant difference between acupuncture and sham acupuncture in achieving labor or delivery within 24 hours (12% vs 14%, p=0.79) 4

Clinical Application Considerations

• While some small case series suggest potential benefit (such as an 8-patient series reporting labor induction within 24 hours after electroacupuncture) 5, these findings have not been replicated in larger, well-designed trials
• Acupuncture appears to have a good safety profile with no known adverse effects to the fetus, which may make it appealing to women seeking alternatives to medical induction 1
• The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists does not include acupuncture among recommended methods for labor induction 6

Potential Mechanisms and Related Applications

• While not effective for labor induction, acupressure at points SP6 and LI4 has shown some effectiveness for relief of primary dysmenorrhea 2
• Some practitioners use these techniques to reduce post-placement cramping pain after IUD insertion, though evidence is limited 2

Important Caveats

• Do not use acupuncture as a replacement for medically indicated induction methods when there are maternal or fetal indications for delivery 6
• Women considering acupuncture for labor induction should be counseled about the limited evidence for effectiveness 1
• More well-designed randomized controlled trials with clinically relevant outcomes are needed before acupuncture can be recommended for labor induction 7, 1