Breech Position Treatment
What is Breech Position?
The safest, and easiest, way for a baby to be born is with its head down and bottom up.
Most babies adopt this position from about 32 weeks but some continue to wriggle about and become “head up, bottom down”, or breech presentation.
If they remain in this position by around 36 weeks it is unlikely that they will change, because there often simply isn’t enough room for them to move.
A breech baby can be delivered naturally but most doctors feel it is much safer to do a caesarean.
Even if a woman does labour, many breech babies are still born by caesarean: this time it is an emergency situation and very shocking for all concerned.
Some obstetricians will consider trying to turn the baby, using a technique called External Cephalic Version (ECV). But, there are risks with this and many prefer to leave well alone.
What is the Treatment for Breech Position?
Applying a heated herb called moxa to acupuncture points can turn breech babies (refs), and the technique does not involve needles at all!! Unlike ECV there are few, if any, risks, and it is not an uncomfortable procedure.
However, like any treatment in pregnancy it must be carried out, or supervised by, a practitioner experienced in both acupuncture and pregnancy.
