Acupuncture has lots of uses throughout pregnancy, and can be safely used throughout. One area of use, that has probably gained most notoriety is the use for breech presentation in pregnancy, and for good reason!
Breech babies are those that are lying bottom first or feet first in the uterus (womb) instead of in the usual head-down position. Breech is very common in early pregnancy and by 36-37 weeks most babies turn naturally into the head-down position [1]. However, according to data from Kings College, London (March 2020) in the UK around 1 in 200 births (3 to 4%) are breech [2]. Due to the risks of complications most babies in the breech position are delivered via caesarean section. However, caesarean sections have their own risks and can sometimes lead to difficulties for future births [3].
There is the opportunity to turn the baby into the head-down position. This can be done by external cephalic version (ECV), turning the baby in the womb. Usually, a medication is given by injection before the ECV which can create a feeling of flushing and increased the heart rate for a short time. Then a gentle but firm pressure is applied on the abdomen to help the baby turn. ECV can be uncomfortable and occasionally painful [1].
The other option is moxibustion (using the wonderful Moxa).
The key element to this is the burning of Moxa at BL67 (Zhiyin), located beside the outer corner of the fifth toenail. Your appointment would consist of an acupuncture treatment, designed to relax the muscles and encourage blood flow to the uterus, followed by moxa on the little toe to encourage the baby to turn. You will then be taught how to carry out this treatment at home by yourself, or with the help of a family member or friend. Moxa is very easy to administer at home if you know how and what needs doing. You will use the moxa for a course of treatment, in the hope that the baby will turn during this time.
There does not seem to be a clear explanation from a western medicine perspective as to what the mechanism is. One theory is that the heat encourages the release of two specific hormones in pregnancy, placental oestrogen and prostaglandins. This can lead to mild uterine contractions, helping the baby to move into an optimal, head-down position for a vaginal birth [4]
Chinese medicine has a number of theories, one is "It is thought that stimulating the last point on the bladder meridian brings movement to the kidney channel and helps the baby to turn." (Tom Ingegno) [4]. The bladder channel is also a Yang channel and therefore corresponds to movement and activity.
The timing of either ECV or Moxibustion is key because if it is done too early the baby can spin back round into the breech position. It is ideal to start the moxibustion treatment at week 34. Research suggests moxibustion is about 66% successful, which is better than ECV, quoted at 50% [5,6]. There are quite a number of NHS hospitals offering Moxibustion for breech babies. It makes sense to use a gentle treatment which has been shown to cause no foetal distress, that also has a higher success rate [7]. If you or someone you know has a mischievous little person refusing to shift then visit AD Acupuncture for a treatment in a wonderful setting to persuade baby to turn head-down.
Please note: while this may all sound very simple and safe, do not try this without the help of a fully qualified midwife or acupuncturist. There are contraindications to this treatment as well as it being more nuanced than it may appear.
1. Patient information leaflet. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2017
2. https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/new-algorithm-to-increase-breech-birth-safety
3. Planned caesarean section for term breech delivery. Hofmeyr, Hannah, Lawrie; Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Jul; 2015(7): CD000166. Published online 2015 Jul 21 doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000166.pub2
5. https://www.boltonft.nhs.uk/services/maternity/information/complementary-therapies/moxibustion/
6. https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/what-happens/if-your-baby-is-breech/
7. Non-stress test changes during acupuncture plus moxibustion on BL67 point in breech presentation. Neri, et al. J Soc Gynecol Investig May-Jun 2002;9(3):158-62