Am J Chin Med. 1976 Autumn; 4(3): 257-65.

Induction of labor by acupuncture electro-stimulation.

Yip SK, Pang JC, Sung ML.

Induction of labor by acupuncture electro-stimulation was carried out in 31 patients. This was successful in 21 cases. The pattern of uterine contractions induced in these patients was similar to that in normal labor. No serious fetal or maternal complications occurred. The delay between the commencement of stimulation and the onset of contractions suggests that a humoral mechanism may be involved.