Acupuncture can shorten the time between premature (prior to onset of labor) rupture of membranes and delivery. In a study of 100 women in Norway1, women at term who had ruptured membranes before contractions began were randomized into two groups: 48 women received acupuncture and were compared to 52 women who did not. The group who received acupuncture had shorter active phases of labor (4.4 hours versus 6.1 hours), and had less use of pitocin to augment labor. The acupuncture group also had fewer instrumental deliveries, fewer inductions and a shorter time from rupture of membranes to birth, but the numbers weren't high enough to be considered statistically significant.

Gaudernack LC, Forbord S, Hole E., Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica, 2006, 85(11), 1348-53.