You might be 34+ weeks into your pregnancy journey, and it has recently come to your knowledge that your baby is in a breech position! Meaning the baby's head is up instead of down in the birth canal. While medical interventions like cesarean sections are available, you might be eager to seek alternatives to facilitate a natural birth process. One such alternative is moxibustion, which involves burning herbs to stimulate specific acupuncture points. In this blog, we'll delve into the practice of moxibustion for turning breech babies and explore its effectiveness and safety.
Similar to the network of blood vessels or nerves that interconnect the body, Traditional Chinese Medicine also sees the body as interconnected via a network of meridians. As such, there is a meridian or network that connects to the uterus and bladder. This is great news, as it provides an opportunity for your acupuncturist to stimulate points to help turn the baby out of a breech position.
Moxibustion involves burning the herb mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) directly on the skin. The purpose of moxibustion is to promote the flow of Qi (life force energy) and blood in the body to restore balance and health.
The Technique: When it comes to turning breech babies, practitioners typically focus on a specific acupuncture point called BL67(point on the Bladder/Uterus meridian), located on the outer corner of the fifth toenail. Moxibustion is applied to this point bilaterally, usually starting around the 34th week of pregnancy, or later depending where you are at in your pregnancy. The heat stimulates the acupuncture point, encouraging the baby to change position and move into a head-down (vertex) presentation.
Safety Considerations: Moxibustion is generally considered safe when performed by trained practitioners. However, it's essential to consult with a qualified healthcare provider before undergoing any alternative therapy during pregnancy. Additionally, moxibustion should only be administered by someone with expertise in TCM/Acupuncture to ensure proper technique and minimize risks.
Turning a breech baby can be a stressful experience for expectant mothers, but alternatives like moxibustion offer a gentle and non-invasive approach to encourage optimal fetal positioning, while avoiding a C-section. As with any intervention, it's essential to weigh the potential benefits and risks and make an informed decision in consultation with healthcare professionals.
While moxibustion may not be suitable for everyone, many women have found success with this ancient practice, ultimately leading to smoother and more natural childbirth experiences. By tapping into the wisdom of traditional healing modalities like moxibustion, we hope to provide you with a natural alternative to turning a baby in breech, while honoring the body's innate ability to birth new life. If you would like to consult with a professional, click the link below to book your initial consultation (treatment included). We offer direct billing for select insurance providers.