Some women try natural or alternative therapies to help turn their baby to a head-down position before having an ECV. Check with your caregiver about using these methods before trying them.
Acupuncture and acupressure
Moxibustion
Massage
Homoeopathy
Music and talking
Visualisation and hypnosis
Diet
Emotional issues and attitudes
Acupuncture and acupressure
Acupuncture and acupressure are popular methods used to try and turn breech babies to a head down position. Some women perform their own acupressure or use the acupressure point in between acupuncture sessions. The point used to turn a breech baby is called the
Bladder 67 (BL 67 or Zhiyin point) on the little toe.
Toe points (BL 67) are found on the outside edge of the little toes, on the outer corner of each little toenail. Acupressure can be placed on the point with a ballpoint pen, or something similar. Holding it firmly in place (without breaking the skin) for about 5 minutes, once or twice a day. Some women do one toe for 5 minutes then the other for another 5 minutes (10 minutes all up) twice a day.
Image 4-28 shows the exact position of the toe point.
Image 4-29 shows pressure being applied to the toe point to encourage the baby to change position.
It is probably easier to have someone else do this for you. Besides being difficult to touch your toes when heavily pregnant, the baby may be quite active during the sessions, so if you are lying down and relaxing this can facilitate the baby changing position. You may wish to be on your hands and knees or in a deep bath, to give your baby more room and relax your belly muscles. The baby may also move to a head-down position in between sessions as well.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion involves the burning of traditional Chinese herbs and placing it near the acupressure point. One end of the herb is lit so it smokes with a glowing ember, rather than a flame.