Read all about the ancient Chinese method for turning breech position babies, the answer will definitely surprise you.
The following excerpt is taken from Cardini & Weixin (1998) article Moxibustion for correction of breech position.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of moxibustion on the acupuncture point Zhiyin BL-67 to correct breech presentation. 130 women having their first baby (primigravidas) at 33 gestation received moxibustion to Zhiyin Bl 67 while 130 women, also primigravidas, received no intervention.
The moxibustion was administered for 7 days .Women were then assessed and a further 7 days of moxibustion treatment given if the position had not changed. Outcomes were measured in terms of fetal movements, as counted by the mother for one hour each day for one week and the number of cephalic presentations both at 35 weeks gestation and at delivery
At 35 weeks gestation 75.4% in the moxibustion group were cephalic (preferred head down position) with only 47.7% in the cephalic position in the control group (no moxibustion). Women in both groups then had the option of undergoing external cephalic version (ECV). One woman took this option from the intervention group and 24 from the control group
At delivery the presentation of 75.4% of the intervention group were cephalic compared to 62.3% in the control group.
The presentation did not change in any of the groups after 35 weeks except in those undergoing ECV. In terms of fetal movement, the moxibustion group experienced a greater number of movements (a mean of 48.45 compared to the control group with a mean of 35.35).
Conclusion
Women who are at 33 weeks gestation with a breech presentation who had moxibustion treatment for 1 to 2 weeks at Zhiyin BL-67 increased fetal activity during the treatment period and cephalic presentation at 35 weeks and at delivery.
Cardini F, Weixin H. Moxibustion for correction of breech presentation. JAMA 1998; 280:1580-1584
