Written by Vanessa Manion (Chinese Medicine Practitioner)

Breech presentation in pregnancy, where the baby's buttocks or feet are positioned to come out first during birth instead of the head, poses a potential challenge during delivery and caesarean section is often recommended.

For women who are wanting to birth vaginally and avoid medical intervention, some studies suggest that acupuncture & moxibustion are a safe way of encouraging optimal foetal positioning.

Moxibusition is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy that involves burning a herb called moxa, usually derived from the mugwort plant, near a specific acupuncture point on the body. It aims to stimulate this point and promote the smooth flow of Qi, or vital energy, through the body's meridians. In the context of breech presentation, moxibustion is often applied to the acupuncture point BL67 (Zhiyin) which is located on the little toe.

Additionally, the treatment of TCM, including moxibustion also restores balance and harmony within the body, addressing underlying imbalances that may contribute to breech presentation.

How this works from a western perspective is still uncertain. Some findings suggest that what this treatment may influence the position of the foetus by relaxing & increasing the blood flow to the uterus, increase placental oestrogen, change protaglandin levels and increase foetal activity.

The application of Moxa for breech baby is done over a 10-day period, which can be done safely at home with detailed instructions from your registered Chinese Medicine practitioner. The optimum time for turning a breech baby is most efficient at 34-36 weeks.

Other therapies that you can try for breech or posterior presentation: -

➡️ Prenatal Yoga Exercises – certain yoga poses can help facilitate optimal foetal position. Important to consult with a qualified prenatal yoga instructor or physical therapist for guidance

➡️ Breech Tilt/Inversion – this involves lying on inclined surface with the pelvis elevated to encourage the baby to turn. This should be done under supervision to prevent any complications

➡️ Spinning Babies or External Cephalic Version (ECV) - this is a medical procedure where the healthcare provider manually attempts to turn the baby from a breech to a head-down position. ECV is typically performed by an obstetrician in a hospital setting.

If you are pregnant and considering moxibustion please call the clinic to ensure it is appropriate for your specific situation. Efficacy can vary depending on factors such as gestational age, foetal size, and individual response.

Research and references

Sarsmaz , Kulah , Orgul , Tonyalı , Yucel, Tekin. Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol 2022 Apr; Effectiveness of Moxibustion for Breech Presentation: A Prospective Study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34528235/

F Cardini 1 , H Weixin. JAMA 1998 Nov 11. Moxibustion for correction of breech presentation: a randomized controlled trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9820259/

If you would like to book an appointment with Vanessa at In Symmetry you can call the clinic on (03) 5429 3610 or book online by clicking the link below.