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Acupuncture Doctors Turn Breech Babies and Prevent C-Section

When babies present in the breech position, studies show acupuncture doctors can help tun the baby into cephalic position (head down) using various techniques. Approximately three to four percent (3 - 4%) of all babies present in the breech position when the mother goes into labor. Unfortunately, for mothers who desire a vaginal birth, this news can be devastating as it is a near guarantee their baby will be delivered via C-Section. This is especially acupuncture and moxibustion for breech babytraumatic for women who plan to have a natural birth. The medications and chemicals used during a C-Section have been linked to breastfeeding difficulties and other mother/infant bonding issues. Non-vaginal births may also been linked to digestive problems in baby later, due to not being inoculated with good bacteria during the vaginal passage. These are among the top reasons many women desire a natural birth experience. Fortunately, there is a potential solution for women who are carrying a breech baby at their 32 week prenatal visit: Moxibustion and acupuncture.

According to a 2012 study, moxibustion is successful in turning a breech baby almost 60% of the time. This is excellent news for women who desire a vaginal birth. If your baby is presenting in the breech position, find an acupuncture doctor and ask how moxibustion and acupuncture can help.

 

Use of Moxibustion and Acupuncture to Turn a Breech Baby

Moxibustion is a common treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It uses the warmth and herbal properties of Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) to stimulate a specific acupuncture points. In the case of breech presentations, your Phoenix acupuncture doctor will use moxa at UB 67, which is along the Bladder Meridian. In some cases, moxibustion will turn a breech baby within the first or second session. During the treatment the baby can often be felt moving and kicking. This is a good thing as we want to encourage a different positioning of the baby. By encouraging movement gravity will cause the heaviest part of the baby down head first. While moxibustion is a big part of the treatment to turn the baby, acupuncture is also used. Using a few acupuncture points can help relax mom and which can help facilitate and further encourage the baby to turn.

If the first 2-3 treatment are not working often times women are encouraged to use moxibustion at home, up to three times a day, in order to facilitate the baby’s movement. We find as do most other acupuncturists that moxibustion is most effective between 32 and 36 weeks, when the baby is descending into the birthing position but still has enough room to maneuver effectively. This is more comfortable for both mother and baby. Waiting until 36 weeks or later may decrease your chances of a successful breech turn to a head down position. 

 

Other Techniques Used by Phoenix Acupuncture Doctors 

At our integrative medicine clinic in Phoenix the acupuncturists are also trained in naturopathic medicine and use additional techniques to help assist in turning a breech baby, to ensure the baby remains in a head down position. An example of some positional techniques can be found in the following article, published by Birth International - a respected midwifery and birthing education resource. It includes information on what to do if your baby is breech in order to facilitate a head down position. It also provides pictures and instructions for how to use moxibustion to turn a breech baby at home. Combined, these solutions can help you and your baby work together to achieve a vaginal birth and avoid the need for a C-Section.


In addition to using moxibustion to turn a breech baby, the naturopathic physicians and phoenix acupuncture doctors at Southwest Integrative Medicine can help you with breathing and relaxation techniques to facilitate a natural birth. S/he can also provide information regarding nutrition and other other holistic treatments during pregnancy, such as acupuncture to relieve inflammation, lower back pain, insomnia, and other pregnancy-related discomfort.

For more information on natural techniques for pregnancy health click on the link below for a free consultation with an acupuncture doctor in Phoenix. 


Acupuncture Consult

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