Moxibustion is a Traditional Chinese Medicine technique that uses Moxa-sticks, commonly known as Mugwort to heat specific energy points along the body's meridian or energy lines. In pregnancy it can be used to encourage a breech (bottom first) baby to turn into a cephalic (head first) position. This is usually carried out between 34 to 38 weeks of pregnancy but is most effective when done at 34 weeks.
What is a Breech Baby?
The best position for a baby to be in for birth is with his or her head down in the bottom of your uterus, this is known as a cephalic presentation. Between 29 to 32 weeks of pregnancy around 15% of babies will present with their bottom or feet in the bottom of the uterus instead of their head, this is a breech presentation. By the time labour labour begins only around 3 to 4% of babies will remain in a breech presentation.
If your baby is in a breech presentation your maternity care provider will discuss your options. These may include an ECV (External Cephalic Version) to try and turn your baby, a vaginal breech birth or a caesarean section birth. Some care providers may also recommend Moxibustion to try and encourage your baby to turn.
Research shows that for those who are suitable to use Moxibustion, it is safe and has around a 66% success rate, which is more than the success rate of an ECV. In addition there is also evidence to suggest that when Moxibustion treatments are used from around 34 weeks of pregnancy, the success rate of an ECV increases compared to when Moxibustion has not been used.