How We Use Moxibustion to Turn a Breech Baby in Petaluma
Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Breech Babies
People have been looking to acupuncture and moxibustion to help breech babies for good reason, and the acupuncture point at the corner of your baby toe holds the answer. We know that learning that your baby is breech can be an incredibly stressful and disappointing development in your pregnancy. If you have hoped for a vaginal birth, a breech baby can feel like a huge blow to your vision and birth plan. Chinese medicine can often help turn a baby who is in the breech position.
At Nido Wellness in Petaluma, we offer safe pregnancy acupuncture & moxibustion when babies are in a breech, transverse, or posterior position. Breech, transverse, and posterior baby positions can turn head-down using these amazing Chinese medicine tools.
What is Moxibustion and how does it help Breech Position?
Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique utilizing the herb Ai Ye, Mugwort, aka Artemisia, as a heat source to warm and activate the flow of blood, fluid, and qi throughout your body. In the case of breech babies, a specific channel that communicates with your uterus is activated to promote a shift in your baby’s position. Ai Ye is a Chinese herb that has an affinity to the womb and warms the body. Moxibustion is a safe, non-invasive technique to encourage your baby into the optimal position.
Acupuncture treatments for breech presentation focus on increasing circulation, creating more space in your abdomen and pelvis, releasing tension in your muscles and joints, regulating/calming your nervous system, and helping to restore health and balance to your overall system. All of these things play a part in baby moving into optimal position. We recommend weekly acupuncture treatments to focus on optimal positioning for your baby. Once your baby is in a good position, we then use acupuncture to prepare you for labor. Acupuncture is incredibly safe throughout your whole pregnancy. Nido Wellness acupuncturists are expertly trained and specialize in prenatal acupuncture care. Your safety and the safety of your baby are always the highest priority.
Does Moxibustion for Breech Work?
Moxibustion for a breech position works around 50-75% of the time and is therefore well worth trying if you are hoping to avoid a cesarean birth or hoping for a vaginal birth. It’s possible that if your baby doesn’t move into an optimal position, there could be a reason that they are staying put, like a previous injury to your pelvis, a uterine abnormality, the position of your placenta and cord, or they are just really comfortable. Whatever the reason, it is not your fault that your baby is breech. I believe that your baby and your body are inherently wise. I trust that they know what is best to keep you both safe.
What to expect at your first acupuncture visit for breech presentation
If you are a new patient, your first acupuncture and moxibustion session will include:
a detailed pregnancy and relevant health history
a moxibustion tutorial and instructions
relaxing acupuncture treatment
moxa sticks for purchase to take home
During your first session, you will be taught how to use moxa sticks at home because consistency is key and daily moxibustion is where we see the best results. We also suggest pairing your moxibustion practice with inversions and stretches from the Spinning Babies website. Once baby is head down and in an optimal position, patients discontinue their moxa practice and focus on birth preparation.
There are a few instances where we would not recommend moxibustion treatment for breech babies:
Pregnancy with twins or with multiples
Low amniotic fluid
Placenta previa
History of preterm labor
Hemorrhage during pregnancy
Rupture of membranes
Known fetal condition/cord issues
If you are in the Sonoma County area and your baby is breech, reach out to Nido Wellness for support as soon as possible! If you want to know if moxibustion is the right treatment for your pregnancy, please reach out to us.
If you would like to book a session, click here.