Moxibustion Turns Babies in Breech Pregnancy

Up to 25% of babies at some time during a pregnancy will be in a breech position, but by 34 weeks most fetuses have turned into a head-down, or vertex, position on their own. This is the usual and safest fetal position for birth. Delivering a baby in a breech position involves a number of risks to the infant. Most obstetricians today will therefore opt to perform a caesarean section if the fetus has not turned on its own.

Moxibustion, the burning of the herb mugwort over an acupuncture point, in this case Bl-67 on the little toe, has been shown to be very effective to turn the fetus. The treatment appears to stimulate hormones that cause the uterus to contract. This causes the fetus to move. Studies in China claim a success rate of 80 to 90% in correcting the breech position with this acupuncture technique. Women should be closely monitored by their midwife or obstetrician during this process. Excessive treatment could over-correct and bring the fetus back into breech.