Lately, many people have asked if acupuncture can be used to help turn a breech baby. The answer is yes! In fact, there is a well-known and highly effective acupuncture protocol that has been used successfully for hundreds of years to turn breech babies. In some Chinese studies, this method shows a 90% success rate (click here to read a 2009 study).
One of the great things about this method is how easy it is. No needles are used. Instead, “moxa” (a Chinese herbal form of mugwort) is used to gently heat the acupoint UB 67 at the tip of the little toe. Heating times vary between ten and thirty minutes, with the warmth always kept at a level the patient is comfortable with. Most women find the treatment very relaxing. This method works best around week 34, but may be used with varying degrees of success all the way to term. Some practitioners will provide patients with moxa sticks to take home so that they or their partner can continue the treatment twice daily for several days.
Do you or someone you know need help turning a breech baby? Feel free to give us a call!