Turning a Breech Baby

As you near the second or even third trimester of your pregnancy, you may find yourself sitting at the doctor’s office, listening to a nurse explain that your baby is in a breech position. Your little one has essentially flipped 180 degrees, putting their head near your chest and their tiny toes above your pelvis. It’s possible that you can actually feel the pressure of your baby’s head underneath your ribcage or feel some kicking in your lower belly.

If your OB/GYN cannot turn the baby through manual procedures, it’s likely that doctors will deliver your breech baby using a Cesarean section to decrease the risk of complications for both you and your child. This can be difficult to come to terms with, especially if you anticipated a natural, vaginal birth. However, many women have found success with turning a breech baby just in time, through a methodology dating back thousands of years: acupuncture and moxibustion.

Acupuncture and Moxibustion

Acupuncture increases circulation and decreases tension in the body. Acupuncture points have many different uses which help to regulate and maintain balance within the body.  

One key acupuncture point known for its unique ability to help turn a breech baby is located near the pinky toe and is especially effective when used in conjunction with an additional therapy, moxibustion, often referred as moxa. The process of moxibustion involves burning the Chinese herb, Mugwort, near this point.

A 2004 study found in comparison to observation alone, the combination of acupuncture and moxibustion was proven to be more effective at turning breech babies, thus significantly lowering the number of Cesarean sections.

After receiving an acupuncture treatment with moxibustion at Deanna Carell Acupuncture we will provide you with all the necessary tools and teach you how to safely and effectively continue the moxibustion at home. We recommend preforming moxibustion at the correct acupuncture point for up to 20 minutes (10 minutes on each side) for a minimum of ten days for best results.

Timing Your Treatments

It is best to address treatment options for a breech baby presentation with acupuncture and moxibustion between 33-35 weeks of pregnancy. This gives the baby enough space to move without creating more stress on the body. There are certain circumstances in which we do not recommend acupuncture and moxibustion treatments including pregnancy carrying twins, a history of Cesarean sections due to a breech baby, raised blood pressure, placenta previa, or RH negative blood type.

After each treatment, you will experience an overall sense of relaxation coupled with an increase in your baby’s movement. With recurring treatments, it’s possible that your baby will return to an ideal position. In the meantime, you can alleviate discomfort with activities such as swimming (which alleviates the gravitational pressures on your uterus) or dancing (which helps to increase circulation and release endorphins). Some women see positive results from simply just talking to their baby in the womb. 

Schedule a Consultation Today

Our rule is to always consult with your physician or OBGYN before you make an appointment with our office. You do not have to go on this journey alone. Deanna Carell Acupuncture can be with you every step of the way into your delivery process and beyond. For a consultation to meet with our acupuncturists please call our office or contact us through our online form.

Source: Neri I, Airola G, Contu G, Allais G, Facchinetti F, Benedetto C. Acupuncture plus moxibustion to resolve breech presentation: a randomized controlled study. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2004 Apr;15(4):247-52. doi: 10.1080/14767050410001668644. PMID: 15280133