What is Moxibustion?
- Georgia
- Feb 18
- 4 min read
As a Breech Birth Mentor I know a thing or two about turning breech babies. Trust me, I've been there, twice!
In my opinion one of the most effective, non-invasive, ways to turn your breech baby is via moxibustion. So what is this crazy burning stick? Here goes...
What is it?
Moxibustion is a treatment traditionally used in Chinese medicine (for the record I hail Chinese medicine!). It involves the burning of a herb us westerners call "mugwort" - an aromatic flower that's also known as artemisia vulgaris.
The herb is put into tubes/sticks which you light at the end to burn. As you burn the mugwort sticks you hold them close to the skin of your little toe. Random, right?
But this is the mind-blowing bit...located at the tip of your fifth toe is an acupuncture point known as "Bladder 67". This is a direct channel from your little toe right up to your bladder/uterus which increases fatal activity and encourages your baby to turn.
The technique
The Mona sticks are around 1.5cm in diameter and 20cm in length. The idea is to hold the burning sticks close to your little toes so that you can feel the warming sensation from the sticks, but not so close that it burns ofcourse.
You can choose to have someone help you in doing both toes simultaneously, or you can practise it yourself, and do it alternately.
It is advised that you practise the technique for 15-20 minutes everyday, for up to 10 days to maximise the chances of your baby to turn.
When to do it?
In my opinion this is crucial. In the UK community midwives to start to check the position of your baby from around 30 weeks onwards. But it is only until around 34 weeks do they start to raise concerns about a breech presentation.
Moxibustion is an effective treatment for breech presentation between 32 - 38 weeks. But the more time goes by, the bigger your baby gets and the more difficult it is for your baby to turn. Studies have shown that the optimal time to use moxibustion to turn your baby is 34 - 36 weeks.
So in essence, the message here is: act fast!
I successfully managed to turn Lex using moxibustion. But unfortunately, it didn't work for Sonny. I say unfortunately, I went on to have the most incredible vaginal breech birth (you can read his story below), so it wasn't unfortunate at all.
Side effects?
This is the best bit, there are no known side effects for mother and baby. It's an all-natural, comfortable and promising way to try and turn your baby.
What if baby doesn't turn?
If your baby hasn't turned using moxibustion then it is likely that your care provider will offer you an ECV - an External Cephalic Version. This is offered around 37 weeks to turn your baby so that the baby is in head-down (cephalic) presentation. The success rate of an ECV is 50%. Does it hurt? No. But it's uncomfortable and unpleasant so I'd strongly recommend you listen to some relaxation music and breathe deeply to support the process.
If the ECV is unsuccessful, you may be offered a c-section or a vaginal breech birth. Both of these can be very positive, just take a look at my posts below.
Conclusion
When mothers presenting Breech use my mentor service Moxibustion is my first suggestion on their Breech Birth Journey. It's an interesting journey when a mother presents breech, as certain methods for turning a breech are statistically more successful at certain times. And what works for one mother, may not work for another.
It's important to take the individual into account, look at their pregnancy history, their lifestyle, their gestation and birth preferences to map out the best journey for them.
You can read more about my Breech Birth Mentor service.
I teach all my couples about their options, how to make the right decision and how to take control of your birth.
I have lots of Birthing Workshops to educate, empower and help you understand your choices. To view my upcoming courses click here.
I've got you!
Georgia x
Some other posts you might like...
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I get a lot of questions about pushing. Once you join my course you will learn the physiology of labour and birth, and how effectively your baby makes it's way down the birth canal. In theory, mother's don't actually need to push.
For most people, just the thought of childbirth gets their heart racing, their palms sweating, the blood drains from the face.
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