Acupuncture will help more than wishful thinking to turn a posterior baby position
Acupuncture and moxibustion can help for both breech and posterior position of the baby during pregnancy. Dr Debra Betts, PhD, author of The Essential Guide to Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth has had many years of experience in observing results in the treatment of malposition of babies during pregnancy. She has also interviewed numerous midwives and acupuncturists treating pregnant mums to be. Posterior position tends to be more commonly clinically seen in the last few weeks of pregnancy.
Can the baby turn again after treatment has been successful?
It has also been the experience of Debra Betts that after babies have turned from posterior to the correct position, some babies may turn again at labour. If this happens, one of the treatments that she recommends is using special acupuncture press studs or seeds to be inserted at the required and appropriate acupuncture points. In her book, Debra reports that many midwives and doctors gave positive feedback as to the effectiveness of that treatment.
Can the acupuncture treatment also help the labour?
Midwives have reported that these treatments can help what is referred to as “failure to progress” as well as the back pain associated with malposition.
Who can I see to obtain acupuncture treatment to help with breech and posterior baby position?
Acupuncture NZ (formally called The New Zealand Register of Acupuncturists (Acupuncture NZ) Incorporated) was the first acupuncture association to be formed in New Zealand and has over 600 members (as of 2017). Debra Betts regularly lectures to members of this group as well to students of the New Zealand School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
One of the members of the New Zealand Register of Acupuncturists Inc, Laura Callaghan of the Newtown Acupuncture Centre, opposite Wellington Hospital, says “We treat a wide range of pregnancy related issues, including malposition. While moxa and acupuncture doesn’t always turn the baby it is certainly worth a try!”
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