Natural Ways to Promote Optimal Fetal Positioning

It isn’t uncommon for a baby to be in the “breech” or bottom down position in the weeks before giving birth. The problem with this is that in most situations in which a baby is breech, a cesarean or C-section is performed as natural birth becomes more difficult and potentially dangerous. What can you do, and is it possible to “flip” your baby into the head-down position? There are some natural ways to promote optimal fetal positioning including acupuncture and moxibustion (check out our video here).

To begin with, what exactly is moxibustion? Used in traditional Chinese medicine, moxibustion is a gentle heat therapy that utilizes an herb, Artemisia Vulgaris, applied to a specific acupuncture point on the feet that stimulates the baby to adjust naturally. When a baby is breech, this herb is compressed into a pole and used to warm a point located on the toe for about 15 or 20 minutes each day. Moxibustion is generally performed by the patient daily over a period of 10 days any time after 33 weeks gestation in combination with acupuncture every 2-3 days. It is believed that moxibustion encourages the release of prostaglandins and placental estrogen, pregnancy hormones that stimulate the baby to move.

Moxa, another term for moxibustion, is typically used together with acupuncture to promote optimal positioning of a breech baby. At Sage Acupuncture, we initiate the moxa technique beginning around week 33 or as soon as you know that your baby is breech. You will also be given instructions on how to perform moxibustion at home once or twice each day. It is ideal to start as soon as possible after discovering that your baby is breech so that they are still small enough to move into place and descend into the pelvis.

Regular acupuncture throughout your pregnancy is recommended to support overall health and ease. It is effective for promoting relaxation and treating back pain, digestive issues, swelling, and other problems often associated with pregnancy. Then at the appropriate time, acupuncture and moxa are used in conjunction to effectively encourage your baby to move into the head-down position necessary for a natural birth.

In addition to acupuncture and moxibustion, there are other natural ways to promote optimal fetal positioning. These include the breech tilt or forward-leaning inversion, and even gentle exercises such as leg circles

The last thing most women want to learn is that their baby is breech. This news may bring fear, anxiety, and stress in response to the prospect of not having the birth you planned for. The good news is that acupuncture and moxibustion can impact optimal fetal positioning and in most cases, you can look forward to a safe, natural birth by helping your baby turn. Contact Sage Acupuncture in Austin for more information.