Babies that are lying with either their feet down or bottom down inside the uterus as opposed to the more usual head down position are called breech babies.
If your baby remains in a breech position by week 36 of your pregnancy you will in the UK most likely be offered a procedure known as an External Cephalic Version, or ECV, in an attempt to turn your baby into the more natural head down position. An ECV is a manual procedure where an experienced obstetrician places their hands on your tummy and attempts to turn baby by applying pressure to your abdomen so as to move your baby physically from a breech position to a head down position. You may be offered pain killers or gas and air as most patients describe some form of discomfort from the procedure, while in some cases medication is prescribed to help relax the muscles of your womb. Success rates for this procedure vary according to the specific hospital and even practitioner but are widely reported as being approximately 50%. The whole point of this procedure being to reduce the chances of a Caesarean section being advised over a natural vaginal birth plan, should your baby remain in the more difficult breech position.
If you are looking for a less invasive approach for you and your baby that requires no medication and is described by many women as being relaxing and calming in nature then the alternative treatment of Moxibustion could be for you.
Moxibustion is a modality of Chinese Medicine practiced for many thousands of years, it is a recognised method by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists who state that there is some evidence that the use of moxibustion (burning a Chinese herb called mugwort) at 33–35 weeks of pregnancy may help your baby to turn into the head-first position, possibly by encouraging your baby’s movements.
What’s is involved in the process ?
In this case Moxibustion involves the burning of a Chinese herb called mugwort which is pressed or rolled into a cigar shaped stick. Once lit at one end it is used to gently warm and heat the specific acupuncture points known as bladder 67, which are located on the extremity of both of your little toes.
At Charlie Glover Acupuncture following a full consultation to assess that both you and your baby are otherwise well and that there are no contraindications for treatment this heat is applied to the exact area of your toes for a prescribed time usually between 15-20 mins.
This warming treatment creates local vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) increasing blood flow, and is also recognised as a possible mechanism for influencing maternal cortisol (stress hormone)levels.
If baby does not turn on this first treatment, do not be alarmed or concerned as not all babies turn there and then, although some do.
You will in this case be provided with a Moxa stick to take home and receive full instructions on how to correctly and safely administer treatment either by yourself or with your partner back in the comfort of your own home environment, continuing treatment for up to 10 consecutive days, stopping once baby has turned.
A gentle alternative with powerful results ?
If you would like to find out more about how Moxibustion could work for you and your baby then please feel free to contact myself Charlie Glover on 07429 348 196 for a free no obligation telephone consultation.
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