About 4.5% of single baby pregnancies result in a breech (head up instead of head down) presentation. This presentation of babies is somewhat common in the second trimester of pregnancy, and while many babies will turn themselves at some point before the onset of labour, some do not.
Breech presentations result in an increased number of Caesarean sections. Rarely are women who have breech babies allowed to attempt a vaginal birth because feet-first vaginal delivery of a baby is associated with a higher risk of foetal morbidity and mortality. Because a C-section is a major abdominal surgery with associated risks and recovery time it is important to attempt to get the baby into a proper vertex (head down) position.
Acupuncture is a popular and effective technique for (turning) breech babies. Small, thin needles are placed in specific areas on the mother’s feet and lower limbs. Acupuncture appears to stimulate a neuro-hormonal response, which results in the baby moving within the uterus.
Acupuncture treatments for turning breech babies are typically started between weeks 32 and 34 of pregnancy.
Studies have shown that acupuncture alone has about a 70% success rate in turning a breech baby. Indeed, research featured in the August 2009 edition of The Journal of Maternal-Foetal and Neonatal Medicine involved five randomised studies evaluating the value of acupuncture in cases of breech presentation and indicates that this method tended to be effective and should be used. Many women reported that after a few minutes of treatment they noticed the baby beginning to kick and move. However, it often takes several hours for the baby to turn, and may take several days of treatment to be successful.
Local registered acupuncturist and osteopath, Paul Clusker, supports these findings. He uses acupuncture to turn breech babies in his Walsall and Sutton Coldfield clinics.
For more details contact Paul Clusker on 07973908933
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