Acupuncture and/or sweeping of the fetal membranes before induction of labor: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture, and sweeping of the fetal membranes, as methods for induction of labor.

Methods: Four hundred and seven pregnant women with normal singleton pregnancies and cephalic presentations were randomized at three delivery wards in Denmark at day 290 of gestation into groups of acupuncture, sweeping, acupuncture and sweeping and controls. The primary objective was to compare the proportion of women going into labor before induction of labor at 294 days in the four groups.