Moxibustion

 In traditional Chinese medicine moxibustion is applied to acupuncture point on the outer corner of the little toe on both feet.

Moxibustion uses heat generated by burning a herbal preparation containing Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort) to stimulate the bladder and kidney meridian; this meridian represents the water element and is used to stimulate the baby’s movements and encourage it to turn. An acupuncturist can supply moxa sticks and can teach you exactly how to use them. Starting at 34 to 36 weeks this procedure is carried out before bed for 20 minutes, as it is much easier for the baby to turn when you are lying down.

A clinical research for using moxibustion on mothers with breech presentation in their 33rd week of pregnancy resulted in 75 percent of babies turning head first. Moxibustion was used for 7 days and then a further 7 days if the fetus persisted in the breech position. Journal of the American Medical Association, (1998), 280 (18), pp,1580-1584.