TURNiNG BREECH BABiES NATURALLY: MOXiBUSTiON, REBOZO AND iNVERSiONS
A ‘breech’ position is when a baby is positioned for birth, ideally, their head will be facing down in the mother's pelvis, ready to descend into the birth canal. However, in about 4% of pregnancies, babies are in a "breech" position, which means they're positioned with their buttocks or feet pointed down instead of their head. While breech is less common—96% of babies naturally settle into a head-down position—understanding it is essential.
Bringing a breech baby to a head-down position is a challenge many expecting parents face, often seeking out non-invasive, natural techniques. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and other cultural practices, methods like moxibustion, rebozo techniques, and inversions have been used for centuries. Here, I'll share my personal journey with moxibustion and include a recent success story from my cousin, who effectively used rebozo techniques and inversions. Together, these stories highlight a holistic approach that may be beneficial for other parents navigating a breech presentation.
TURNiNG BREECH BABiES WiTH TRADiTiONAL CHiNESE MEDiCiNE: MY EXPERiENCE WiTH MOXiBUSTiON
When I was expecting my second child, my baby was breech well into my third trimester. As the weeks ticked by, my search for natural options led me to moxibustion, a TCM practice that has been used for centuries. Intrigued by the promise and history behind this technique, I decided to try it.
Moxibustion, often called "moxa," involves burning a stick of herbs (usually mugwort) near specific acupuncture points to warm the meridians, which are energy pathways in the body. For turning breech babies, the focus is on the UB 67 point, found on the outer corner of the pinky toe. This acupoint, part of the Urinary Bladder channel, is known as an "empirical point" in TCM for its historical use in promoting a head-down position in breech pregnancies.
How Does Moxibustion Work for Breech Babies?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), moxibustion is thought to boost the body’s energy flow, or 'qi.' By warming the UB 67 point, this method gently encourages activity in the womb, prompting the baby to move. The warmth helps energy rise, increasing the baby’s chance of shifting into a head-down position for birth.
During my own experience, the warmth of the moxa stick was calming rather than intense. I felt a deep connection with my body, almost as if this process was encouraging my baby directly. The baby became notably more active after each session, and within a few days, my midwife confirmed the best news—I was head down!
The Science Behind Moxibustion for Breech Babies
Though moxibustion has ancient roots, research shows it can be effective. A major study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 1998 found that moxibustion on the UB 67 point helped 75% of breech babies turn head-down by birth. This research gives moxibustion a solid, science-backed place among natural techniques for turning breech babies, offering parents a supported option to consider.
Is Moxibustion Right for You?
Moxibustion offers a safe, non-invasive method for parents hoping to encourage their breech baby to turn. If your baby remains breech into the later stages of pregnancy, consulting a licensed acupuncturist with experience in prenatal care can be a wise choice. Each baby is unique, and while moxibustion helped me avoid further intervention, it’s always best to discuss options with your healthcare provider to determine what’s best for your specific situation.
REBOZO TECHNiQUE: A TRADiTiONAL MEXiCAN PRACTiCE WiTH MODERN BENEFiTS
My cousin recently faced her own breech baby journey and I introduced her to the rebozo technique—a traditional practice from Mexico involving a long, woven shawl used for various purposes throughout a woman’s life. We used the rebozo to help shift her baby head-down at 36 weeks.
How the Rebozo Technique Works
The rebozo technique involves wrapping the fabric around a mother’s hips, with a partner or practitioner gently rocking or "jiggling" the belly. This movement helps loosen tight muscles, releases tension in the pelvic area, and encourages optimal fetal positioning. The rebozo is particularly effective for helping babies engage with the pelvis, which is especially beneficial for breech and posterior babies. By adjusting the pelvic muscles and soft tissues, the rebozo creates space for the baby to turn head-down naturally.
Rebozo Success Story
I initially guided her through specific movements, such as "sifting" (gentle rocking with the rebozo) and "hip jiggling" exercises. These practices helped release tension, especially in her back and pelvic area. She repeated more sessions with her husband and 2 weeks later received confirmation from her OB that her baby shifted head-down, much to her relief and excitement!
The rebozo method is easy to integrate into daily routines with a trained partner, making it an accessible technique for many parents looking for a proactive approach to turning a breech baby.
THE POWER OF iNVERSiONS: ENCOURAGiNG BABY TO TURN HEAD-DOWN
Inversions, or positions where the pelvis is elevated above the chest, are another natural method my cousin used alongside the rebozo. This technique involves various moves that help tilt the uterus slightly, encouraging the baby to reposition.
Types of Inversions for Breech Babies
Several types of inversions can be practiced safely during pregnancy:
Forward-Leaning Inversion: Kneeling on an elevated surface (like a couch), you carefully lower yourself down onto your hands, allowing your belly to hang freely. This position creates room for the baby to move.
Breech Tilt: This involves lying with hips elevated on a pillow and feet up, which uses gravity to encourage the baby to move head-down.
Pelvic Tilts on All Fours: By arching and relaxing the back, this exercise helps create space for the baby to move.
These positions, recommended by some midwives and healthcare practitioners, work with gravity to help open the pelvis and encourage the baby to engage in a head-down position. My cousin incorporated inversions a few times a week, focusing on the forward-leaning inversion, which she found particularly effective in creating extra room for her baby to turn. I used inversions during my 2nd pregnancy as well to create space for my son to get into an optimal birth position.
Combining Techniques for Best Results
My cousin’s experience highlights the value of combining different techniques. By alternating between rebozo sessions and inversions, she gave her baby plenty of opportunities to move into a head-down position. Each practice added a unique element, offering various ways to relax her muscles, align her pelvis, and create space in the womb.
ADDiTiONAL TiPS FOR TURNiNG A BREECH BABY
In addition to these techniques, other lifestyle adjustments can complement your breech-turning strategy:
Chiropractic Care (Webster Technique): This gentle chiropractic adjustment aims to balance the pelvis and provide an optimal environment for the baby to move head-down.
Prenatal Yoga: Certain poses, like the downward dog, can help open the pelvis and encourage a baby’s head-down movement.
Hydration and Rest: Staying hydrated and resting can improve uterine elasticity, providing more space for the baby to turn.
Visualization: Positive visualization of the baby in the head-down position can encourage relaxation and release tension, which may help create a more favorable turning environment.
THE EMOTiONAL JOURNEY OF TURNiNG A BREECH BABY
Turning a breech baby is more than a physical process; it’s a deeply emotional experience. As I went through my journey, I felt everything from hope to frustration, but ultimately, the practice of these natural techniques instilled a sense of empowerment. It reminded me that, even in a time where medical interventions are readily available, traditional wisdom and gentle practices still hold immense value.
Whether you choose moxibustion, the rebozo technique, inversions, or a combination of these methods, remember that you have a range of safe, non-invasive options to explore. Navigating the journey of a breech baby can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. In Our BirthRoom Academy, we cover essential techniques, guidance, and support for all variations of labor and birth scenarios—breech included. Join us to gain the knowledge and confidence you need for a safe and empowering birth experience, no matter what surprises may come your way!
Happy baby turning!
