Turning a Breech Baby with Moxa
- reproductiveacupun
- Feb 4
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 27
What is Moxibustion?
Moxibustion, is a traditional Chinese medicine technique using the herb mugwort (Artemisia argyi) and is used to stimulate acupuncture points and meridians. The moxa commonly used to turn a breech baby has undergone a charcoal process to produce a stick that produces less smoke, making it ideal for use at home.
How does Moxa Encourage Baby to Move into Optimal Positioning?
Moxibustion involves gently warming a specific acupuncture point to help encourage your baby to turn inot the optimal head-down position for birth. It is believed that the heat produced from the moxa stick on a particular acupuncture point stimulates prostaglandin receptors that cause mild contractions encouraging the baby to turn. A 2022 prospective study showed that moxibustion increased the percentage of cephalic (head-down) presentations and vaginal deliveries compared to simply waiting and watching.
Guidelines for Using Moxa at Home Safely
Before using moxa you will need the following:
Stove top, cigarette lighter or candle
A ceramic or glass dish to place ash in during the treatment
A small towel underneath to catch the ash from falling
A glass jar with rice grains inside used to extinguish the moxa
2 x moxa sticks
Instructions on how to use the moxa
Light either end of the moxa stick with a candle or use the stove top. Smokeless moxa can take several minutes to light so be patient and avoid touching the end.
Hold the lit end of the moxa stick over the desired acupuncture point. For breech, we burn the moxa on the tip of the little toe, known as Zhiyin BL-67. We recommend holding the moxa stick 2-3 cm away from the acupuncture point and always avoid making contact with the skin. The area should start to feel nice and warm. If it is too hot, increase the distance between the toe and the end of the moxa stick, or gently withdraw and return, using a pecking motion
Once lit and in desired position we recommend holding the moxa in that position for the therapeutic time of 20 minutes while always avoiding contact with the skin.
During the treatment it is important to discard any ash on the end of the stick by tapping on your ceramic or glass dish.
Once you have finished the 20 minutes, place your moxa stick, lit end first, into the glass jar with rice grains to extinguish. The moxa stick can be relit for your next use. The rice prevents the glass from cracking from the heat.
We recommend repeating this every day for at least 10 days, if the baby turns then it is recommended to continue for 3 more days to encourage the baby not to turn back. If you have any questions, always consult your practitioner.
Acupuncture for Breech Presentation
At Melbourne Reproductive Acupuncture we recommend weekly acupuncture appointments from 34 weeks. Your treatment will include both acupuncture and moxa to encourage baby to turn and engage.
Can Acupuncture and Moxa also Help with Transverse or Posterior Positioned Babies?
The majority of the published research available is evaluating the efficacy of moxa for breech presentation. Moxa may be effective for transverse or posterior babies and clinically we do see benefit for these presentations, however published research is limited.
Interested in Learning More?
We recommend listening to Episode 116 - Acupressure and Acupuncture on the The Great Birth Rebellion Podcast by midwife Melanie Jackson. You can listen to the podcast here.
Book your Appointment
We recommend booking in with one of our qualified and experienced practitioners, please book online via the link below or call us on (03) 9132 0287.
(03) 9132 0287
Written by Meghan Smith
BHSc (TCM)
AHPRA and AACMA
Sources: Debra Betts and Robert Deadman
PMID: 34528235
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