I recently put out an info-graphic detailing what I believe are the 6 most effective ways people turn breech babies. External Cephalic Version (ECV) is also a safe and reliable way to flip a breech baby head down, but here I am focusing on things that are less of an intervention.
Let’s look at each of them in more detail:
- Inversions
Spending time with your bum above your head helps release twists in your uterus, encourages your baby to tuck her chin and be free to turn head down. The most famous of these is called the Breech Tilt, wherein you lay upside-down on an ironing board or mattress propped up at a 45 degree angle. This helps the baby back up out of the pelvis and tuck his chin, becoming more likely to flip.
The other type of inversion is the knee-chest position or the forward-leaning inversion. The action of this type of inversion is slightly different, and many midwives recommend you do both. - Moxibustion
Moxibustion is the practice of using moxa sticks (golden color is the highest quality) to apply heat to an acupuncture point on the pinky toe. There have been a number of studies showing that it works. - Chiropractic
A chiropractor is concerned with getting your body to be balanced and free of constraints. Sometimes a baby is breech because of imbalance or tightness. A chiropractor can check your pelvic area and perform the Webster technique, used to release and align your uterine area. Chiropractors can also adjust your jaw, and there seems to be some connection between women with jaw issues and breech babies. - Hypnotherapy
I know a hypnotherapist who specializes in mother/baby care and has turned 9 out of 11 breeches with hypnosis sessions. There’s a well-done study showing women who received hypnosis were twice as likely to have their baby turn. You can try a turn your baby self-hypnosis mp3 or get professional help (recommended). Try at least 3 sessions. - Relaxation
It is well documented that anxious or fearful women have a higher incidence of breech babies. Your emotional tension creates bodily tension which can affect the baby’s position. A Mexican midwife I know says a lot of her breech babies turn after the baby’s parents are encouraged to work out tension in their relationship. Hypnosis can help. - Acupuncture
Acupuncture tries to correct the flow of energy in your body to normalize processes, including the position of your unborn baby. If you can’t get professional help, you can try acupressure at home.
No matter where you are at, you should try to relax. Inversions are also healthy at any time. Only do the breech tilt if you have a breech baby.
If you are between 32-34 weeks, I recommend you start with inversions and chiropractic, adding moxibustion/acupuncture and hypnosis.
If you are between 34-37 weeks, I recommend you start with moxibustion and chiropractic, adding hypnosis and the other things as you see fit.
If you are between 37-40 weeks, I recommend you start with hypnosis, adding whatever feels right but remembering that your time may be better spent planning your breech birth and letting go of control over baby’s position.
No matter where you are at, you should try the therapy or combination of therapies that feels right to you. Trust your mother’s intuition. If there is one that you are inwardly interested in but your conscious mind resists, that might just be the best one for you. I realize that is a lot of woo. Let me tell you, babies love woo. Especially the breech ones.
