Does Acupuncture Therapy Reduce the Need for Labor Induction After Postdate (Week 41)

In recent years, it is accepted to induce birth at week 41 in order to reduce the risk in surplus pregnancies. It was found that after 41 weeks, there is a significant increase in pregnancy complications including meconium liquor, shoulder dystocia and fetal death in uterus. Induction at 41 weeks was found to reduce the risk of complications described above, without taking the risk of cesarean section and, therefore, the recommendation of the Israel Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine, is to induce birth for women who completed 41 weeks of pregnancy. Induction is performed mechanically by entering a balloon to the cervix or by medicated prostaglandins and later, intravenous Pitocin to most women. The process takes two to three days with about 60-70% success rate. In recent years there has been a growing awareness to use natural methods to start labor. Many women tend to turn to natural medicine in order to reduce the need for conventional drugs to start labor. Given the lack of research on the issue and considering the rising demand of the involvement of alternative medicine in labor induction process, the investigators decided to carry out research on this subject.