Moxibustion For Breech Baby

Around the time  labour begins the majority of babies will have moved into the head down (head-first) position. This is not always the case and a baby may wriggle into a bottom or feet first position. This is known as a breech position and babies who adopt this position are known as breech babies. 

 4 babies out of 100 are in the breech position at the end of pregnancy. If the baby is still breech at around 36 weeks you will discuss your options to deliver your baby safely. In this article we will demonstrate how a simple Chinese medical treatment called Moxibustion can provide an effective solution and lead to the low intervention birth of your baby.Every year more women turn to Moxibustion for breech babies. Moxibustion is a gentle, safe and research backed treatment to help mothers to be turn their breech babies.

Moxibustion is a technique used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to turn a breech baby to head first, usually around 34–36 weeks of pregnancy.

What Really Is Moxibustion?

Moxibustion is drug free, non invasive and pain free Chinese Medicine therapy which has been used for centuries. This method consists of burning carefully refined herb called Moxa (English name Mugwort). Moxa is rolled into Moxa sticks that  look a little bit like large cigars. 

When lit and held near a point on the body, the warming and invigorating sensation on the skin helps blood circulation and natural energy levels and a range of other benefits. Moxibustion therapy can be practised at a clinic to target specific points across the body for maximum effect or at your home with Moxa sticks. 

Moxibustion For Breech Baby & How Does It Work?

When Moxibustion is used to turn a breech baby the warmth from a moxa stick is directed at an acupuncture point located on the outer edge of your little toe. The heat from the Moxibustion nourishes and feeds the flow of energy along the energy channels or Meridians. This gently triggers a cascade of changes in your hormone levels which in turn encourages safe and gentle movement in the muscles of your uterus. These subtle movements lead to an increase in your baby’s activity, which eventually encourages him to move into the head down position – the optimal position for a natural vaginal birth.

Research has shown that moxibustion is about 66% successful, which is better than External cephalic version (ECV). When it is time for the baby to be born Moxibustion is also an effective and non invasive treatment that can safely help to induce labour.

The Method & What To Expect

During a Moxibustion treatment the women lays facing up and the lit Moxa stick is held near the outside edge of your baby toe for 20 minutes once or twice a day for 2 weeks. Periodically switching from one foot to the other. 

The best time to seek Moxibustion for breech baby is from 32 – 38 weeks but ideally it is recommended Moxibustion is performed around 34 weeks of pregnancy as the baby during this stage is the ideal size to turn and remain in the head down position. 

Is Moxibustion Safe?

Step 1: Hold or get their partner to hold the moxa stick close to their toes for between 15 – 20 minutes up to 2 times per day.

Step 2: Light a Moxa stick and bring it close to the skin close to the acupuncture point located at the outside edge of your baby toe. The stick should be held around 1 – 2 inches away from the skin – enough for you to feel a comfortable warming sensation.

Move the moxa stick away if the heat becomes too intense – It is important that the stick never comes in contact with the skin. This treatment is not meant to hurt or be painful in any way and indeed many women find that the sensation to be quite relaxing.

Step 3: Move the moxa stick in small circles around or up and down slightly. The movement will enable the greatest penetration of warmth and also prevents the heat from becoming too intense.

Step 4: As the moxa stick burns it will produce ash that will need to be scraped or tapped into an ashtray. It is important that this is done regularly so that it does not accumulate, fall and cause burns.

If you are carrying out Moxibustion for the first time we highly recommend seeking professional advice and demonstration on how to correctly use the Moxa stick, not only for your own safety but also for the best possible result.