Moxibustion - an aid to turn a breech (head up) baby
Moxibustion is a safe and very gentle way of attempting to turn a baby who is in a breech position. Breech means that the baby is laying with its head up (near the Mother’s ribs). Unfortunately, due to recent research very few practitioners offer vaginal delivery for breech babies, with caesarian section being the preferred delivery method.
About 3% of babies are breech presentation. Ideally the baby needs to be encouraged to turn before 36 weeks of pregnancy and prior to engagement into the pelvis. Obstetricians may discuss a treatment called external cephalic version (ECV). This is a manual manipulation in an attempt to turn the baby.
The turning of breech babies has long been known to respond to a treatment called moxibustion. This is the burning of a fragrant herb over one of the acupuncture points. It relaxes the muscles in the uterus allowing the baby to turn and at the same time encourages the baby to move around to the correct head down position (cephalic).
Moxibustion is performed by using a ‘moxa stix’. This is a stick of a compressed herb called Mugwort. The end of the stick is lit, the herb then smolders and as the heat radiates it is positioned at the corner of the little toenail, stimulating a meridian named Bladder 67.
Usually only one consultation is required, where a Storks Midwife will discuss, demonstrate and perform the moxibustion, enabling you to then continue with the treatment in your own home. A moxa stick is included for this purpose.
Please note that the Storks Midwife will always examine you prior to treatment to ascertain the position and well-being of your baby. If there is any doubt that your baby is in the breech position, then the treatment will not be carried out. If this is the case you be charged only for an antenatal consultation and not the full fee for the treatment. You may wish to arrange a private ultrasound scan to eliminate doubt.