Susan Donald
- May 6, 2021
- 3 min read

Can Acupuncture and Moxibustion Help Turn a Breech Baby?

Updated: Aug 18, 2021

Did you know the warming, relaxing and safe administration of Acupuncture and Moxibustion from 34-38 weeks pregnancy, may correct a breech position?

Midwives and Obstetricians recognise this non-invasive treatment is often successful in turning a breech baby, reducing the need for an Elective Caesarean delivery. Published evidence suggests that Moxibustion therapy is also effective in decreasing the need for an Elective Cephalic Version (ECV), a technique used to turn the baby to a head-first position.

Who recommends Acupuncture and Moxibustion for breech position?

The NHS and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) support and recommend this gentle approach, with no reported side effects for expectant mothers or their babies.

Tommy’s is the UK’s leading charity providing information and support in pregnancy and implementing excellence in maternity care across the NHS and here’s what they say on their Pregnancy Hub about breech birth.

Most babies that are breech will naturally turn to the correct position at about 36 to 37 weeks, ensuring their head is facing downwards in preparation for birth. However, sometimes this doesn’t happen and around three to four babies in every hundred remain in the breech position.
Moxibustion seems an unusual treatment recommendation, but a small number of clinical studies have shown that 50-80% of cases are successful in turning a breech baby, reducing the need for ECV and medication.
There isn’t necessarily any clear reason why your baby is breech, but you will be offered a scan to confirm the head is in the ‘head-up’ position and at this point the midwife or obstetrician will talk to you about your options for turning baby such as an ECV or Moxibustion to ensure you give birth safely.

Many NHS maternity units and the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) agree that there is some evidence and experience to suggest Moxibustion might help to turn your baby.

All obstetric professionals recommend that moxibustion should only be performed under the direction of a fully trained and qualified practitioner. So, ask your midwife or Obstetrician about it and ask to be referred. Fully qualified and certified acupuncture practitioners like myself, are registered with the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC), our regulatory body.

What evidence is there to show Acupuncture and Moxa is safe for my baby?

NICE, NHS providers and BAcC have undertaken extensive research and reviewed the efficacy of acupuncture finding there is a vast library of new global, peer reviewed research to support moxibustion and acupuncture as a safe and effective treatment method in pregnancy.

The BAcC found evidence to show acupuncture and moxibustion may help relieve pain (e.g., back pain, labour pain) in pregnancy and turn a breech foetus by:

Increasing relaxation reducing tension and inflammation.
Makes version more likely by increasing cortico-adrenal secretion and prostaglandin levels, which leads to raised basal tone of the uterus and enhanced movement of the foetus.
Stimulating nerves located in muscles and other tissues, which leads to a release of endorphins and other neurohumoral factors, thus changing the processing of pain in the brain and spinal cord.

So, what is Moxibustion or Moxa?

Moxibustion (Moxa) is a safe and relaxing treatment method used alone or in conjunction with acupuncture. Moxa technique involves the burning of Mugwart herb on the tip of an acupuncture needle, in a cone shape stacked on freshly sliced ginger, or by rolled stick.

The therapeutic properties of Moxa have been extensively researched and are indicated to treat a wide variety of acute or chronic conditions.

Historically, Moxibustion therapy is older than acupuncture and has been used by chinese medicine practitioners for ore than 2500 years, helping to prevent disease and nourishing life.

Moxibustion is a supportive therapy and can be safely combined with conventional treatments and medication, possibly increasing the benefits, while reducing the risk of side-effects.

If you would like any further information about how a moxibustion or acupuncture treatment can help support you and your baby, you are welcome to contact me for an informal chat, or send an email if you prefer.

Where can I get more unbiased information?

Alternatively visit the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) website for more information. The BAcC is the acupuncture practitioner’s regulator and governing body, with defining principles in the code of safe practice and hygienic standard for public protection.

Visit the BAcC website by following the link below to find more information in the evidence A-Z section; Obstetrics. These fact sheets are produced to provide accurate evidence based and unbiased general information for a variety of conditions and how acupuncture may be beneficial for you.

You can also use the ‘Find an Acupuncturist’ section to locate the contact details of a qualified practitioner in your area by following the link below.