When your baby is in a breech position late in pregnancy, it can feel like your birth plan is taking an unexpected detour. While medical options like external cephalic version (ECV) are common, acupuncture and moxibustion offer natural, safe, and effective ways to encourage your baby to turn. Surprising? Maybe—but it’s a proven method that’s been helping mothers for generations.

The Science Behind Acupuncture for Breech Babies

Breech presentation occurs when a baby remains head-up in the uterus instead of head-down. This position can complicate delivery, but acupuncture—specifically when combined with moxibustion—offers an alternative approach that has shown significant success rates.

Acupuncture and moxibustion target a specific point known as BL67 (Zhi Yin), located on the outer corner of the pinky toe. A study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that moxibustion at BL67 increased fetal movement and helped turn breech babies in up to 75% of cases. The combination of heat from moxibustion and acupuncture’s ability to balance energy flow creates ideal conditions for fetal rotation.

How It Works

Moxibustion works by increasing blood flow to the uterus and relaxing its muscles, giving the baby more space to move. Acupuncture further enhances this effect by calming the nervous system, reducing stress, and addressing imbalances that could be contributing to the breech position.

A Surprising Bonus: Holistic Benefits

Beyond addressing breech presentation, acupuncture also supports overall well-being during pregnancy. It can improve sleep, relieve back pain, and reduce anxiety, making it a valuable part of any maternity care plan.

Why Try Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is safe, non-invasive, and has no known risks to you or your baby. If your baby remains breech at 32 weeks or later, book with on of our Aphrodite acupuncturist so that we can provide the gentle encouragement your baby needs to turn.