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"Phew, what a scorcher!" say mums-to-be |
A local expert in Chinese medicine, Paul Clusker, has been achieving success with a traditional technique that can reduce a pregnant woman's chances of needing a Caesarean section.
There are more likely to be complications during delivery of a baby which is in the breech position. It may sound bizarre, but heating particular points on the soles of the mother's feet can noticeably increase the activity of the baby, leading to a shift into the safer, head-first position.
The heating is achieved by burning special sticks of a dried herbal substance called moxa or mugwort. It is not painful to mother or baby and has no side effects.
In China, the practice is widely known and used when babies are in the breech position. Recently published research after a large study at a hospital there has shown that whilst only 50% of babies turned spontaneously, 75% of those given moxabustion treatment moved into the correct position.
The Royal College of Midwives says that because no official research has been done into moxabustion in the UK, they cannot officially endorse it. "However, we know that women do prefer to try this, if they have a breech baby, rather than have a Caesarean or be treated as a high-risk birth - even if the end result is that they still have to have a Caesarean. If they do decide to try moxabustion they should make sure they go to a skilled practitioner, who has been properly trained. If you are at all concerned, check with your midwife."
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