How Moxibustion and Acupuncture Can Help Turn Breech Babies

Pregnancy is an exciting time filled with so many changes, but if you’ve found out that your baby is in a breech position late in your pregnancy, it can also feel a little worrying. The good news is that there are natural methods like acupuncture and moxibustion that may help encourage your baby to turn into the ideal head-down position before birth. In this post, we'll walk you through how these ancient techniques work, the science behind them, and how they could benefit you if your baby is in a breech position.

What Is a Breech Baby?

First things first: what does it mean if your baby is breech? Simply put, a baby is in a breech position if their feet or bottom are positioned to come out first during delivery, rather than their head. Most babies settle into a head-down, or cephalic, position by the 32nd to 36th week of pregnancy. However, in some cases, babies remain in a breech position.

There are different types of breech presentations:

Frank breech: The baby’s bottom is down, with legs straight up, feet near the head.
Complete breech: The baby is in a sitting position with knees bent.
Footling breech: One or both feet are positioned to come out first.

While some breech babies will turn on their own before labor, others may need a little help, and that’s where moxibustion and acupuncture come into play.

What Is Moxibustion?

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves burning an herb called mugwort (Ai Ye 艾叶) near specific acupuncture points on the body. This heat therapy has been used for thousands of years to treat various health conditions, but one of its most unique and beneficial uses in modern times is to help turn breech babies.

In the context of turning a breech baby, the moxibustion technique is applied to a specific acupuncture point located near the outer edge of the little toe, known as Bladder 67 (BL67). This point is believed to stimulate the uterus and encourage the baby to move into a more favorable position.

How Does Moxibustion Work?

You might be wondering, how does burning an herb near your toe help turn your baby? Well, there’s some fascinating research behind it.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, moxibustion warms and invigorates the flow of energy, or Qi, through the meridians in the body. By stimulating BL67, moxibustion promotes movement in the uterus and can help the baby rotate.

The heat from moxibustion can also trigger increased fetal movement, which is key when trying to turn a breech baby. In addition, it promotes relaxation and reduces tension in the uterus, making it easier for the baby to turn.

The Science Behind Moxibustion for Breech Babies

While moxibustion may sound a bit mystical, there’s real science backing it up. Several studies have explored the effectiveness of moxibustion for turning breech babies. One notable study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that moxibustion significantly increased the likelihood of a breech baby turning into a head-down position.

In this study, 75% of women who received moxibustion treatment had their babies turn head-down, compared to just 48% in the control group.

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is another traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves inserting very fine needles into specific points on the body to balance the flow of energy (Qi). Like moxibustion, acupuncture can also help with turning breech babies by stimulating points that promote uterine relaxation and fetal movement.

In acupuncture, the same point used in moxibustion, Bladder 67, is often targeted, but other points on the body may also be used to encourage the baby to move. Acupuncture sessions for turning breech babies are typically gentle and relaxing, and many women find them to be a soothing experience.

How Acupuncture and Moxibustion Work Together

While moxibustion can be done on its own, it’s often combined with acupuncture for better results. Acupuncture helps relax the muscles and tissues around the uterus, making it easier for the baby to turn, while moxibustion stimulates movement by warming the acupuncture point.

When used together, these two techniques create a powerful synergy that can improve the chances of turning a breech baby.

What to Expect During a Moxibustion and Acupuncture Session

If you’re interested in trying moxibustion and acupuncture for turning your breech baby, here’s what you can typically expect during a session:

Consultation: Your acupuncturist will first take a detailed health history and assess your overall well-being. This is important because your body’s balance of Qi will play a role in how effective the treatment is.
Acupuncture treatment: You’ll lie down comfortably, and fine acupuncture needles will be inserted into specific points on your body, including Bladder 67. The treatment is painless, and many women find it very relaxing.
Moxibustion: While the needles are in place, the acupuncturist will light the mugwort stick and hold it near the BL67 point on your toe. You’ll feel a gentle warming sensation, which is thought to stimulate the point and encourage fetal movement.
Take-home instructions: Many practitioners (including myself) will also provide you with a moxibustion stick to take home so you can continue the treatment yourself. You’ll be given guidance on how to apply moxibustion at home, usually for about 15-20 minutes per side daily for a set number of days.

When to Start Treatment

If your baby is still breech at around 32-34 weeks, that’s the ideal time to begin moxibustion and acupuncture treatments. While earlier treatments may be helpful, starting around this time increases the likelihood of success as the baby is still small enough to move more easily.

However, some women have had success even starting treatment later in pregnancy, so it’s worth considering no matter where you are in your pregnancy journey.

Is Moxibustion and Acupuncture Safe?

Yes, moxibustion and acupuncture are generally considered safe for both you and your baby when performed by a licensed and experienced practitioner. These techniques are non-invasive, and the risks are minimal. In fact, many women find the treatments calming and even enjoy the experience.

That being said, always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment during pregnancy to ensure it’s appropriate for your specific situation.

Other Natural Methods for Turning Breech Babies

In addition to moxibustion and acupuncture, there are several other natural methods you can try to help encourage your breech baby to turn:

Spinning Babies techniques: These are specific exercises designed to help align your pelvis and encourage your baby to turn.
Chiropractic care: The Webster technique is a chiropractic method that focuses on aligning your pelvis to create more space for the baby to move.
Swimming: Some women find that floating in water helps give the baby more room to turn.
Inversions: Doing gentle inversions, like the forward-leaning inversion, can encourage the baby to shift positions.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve found out that your baby is in a breech position, it’s natural to feel concerned. But moxibustion and acupuncture offer a safe, effective, and natural option to help turn your baby into the optimal head-down position. With research backing these ancient techniques, and countless women reporting positive results, they’re worth considering if you're seeking alternatives to more invasive procedures.

As always, talk to your healthcare provider to see if moxibustion and acupuncture are right for you. With the right care and support, your baby may just find their way into the perfect position for birth!