Hey John,

So I have a new patient coming in with this situation:

“I am 38 weeks pregnant with a posterior positioned baby.  This is my first appointment. Both my doula and my son's pediatrician recommended moxibustion as a possible method of helping the baby turn and position herself for the best possible delivery.”

Thanks,

                                    East Bay Acupuncturist

Dear  East Bay Acupuncturist,

Breech presentations are easy, posterior positioning less so.  Turning Breech babies is about 80-90% likelihood of turning it in weeks 32-35. Usually 10 days or less of moxa at UB 67 will do it.  I have seen it happen with one treatment. Odds go down after that time, but some breeches have been turned at week 38.

Treatment success for Posterior positioning is less well reported in studies that I have looked at.  Seems to work sometimes.  There may be a small danger of causing the baby to flip to breech presentation if not well engaged.

If there will be a C section if the positioning does not change I would really go after the re-positioning because there are not really additional problems that will be created.  If no C section anticipated I would very clearly explain the slight risk to the patient of baby moving to another less than optimal positioning.

                         - Dr. John Nieters, L.Ac. DAOM, FABORM