Pregnant? Read up!

I don’t know if it’s because it’s springtime, but so many people are contacting me about support for turning their breech babies! Here is a bit of information, for anyone curious about using acupuncture during their pregnancies.

During pregnancy, acupuncture is often used to relieve discomforts such as nausea, lower back pain, pelvic pain, insomnia, and anxiety. It can also help prepare the body for labor by promoting hormonal balance and improving circulation. Treatments are tailored to each stage of pregnancy. Usually starting around week 30 of the term, I’ll begin teaching the pregnant person certain exercises and stretches, along with some gentle massage techniques that the partner can use daily to help prepare the body for labor.

One well-known application of acupuncture in the later stages of pregnancy is in the treatment of a breech presentation. Breech position—where the baby is positioned feet or bottom first rather than head down—occurs in about 3–4% of pregnancies at term. Acupuncture, often combined with moxibustion (a technique that involves burning the herb mugwort near specific acupuncture points), is traditionally used to encourage the baby to turn into a head-down position.

The optimal time for using acupuncture and moxibustion to turn a breech baby is between 32 and 35 weeks of gestation. This window provides the best chance of success, as the baby is still small enough to move more freely in the womb. Treatments are typically done daily or every other day over a one- to two-week period and may include at-home moxibustion instructions for continued care.

As with any complementary therapy during pregnancy, it's important for patients to consult with both their midwife or obstetrician and a licensed acupuncturist experienced in prenatal care. Don’t be afraid to ask your practitioner if they have experience!