Naturopathic Approaches to "Foetal Malposition"

One of the most common reasons women come to see me during late pregnancy is because their midwife or obstetrician has informed them that their baby is not in the optimal position for birth. Whether the baby is in a breech, transverse, or even just posterior in position, there are many different approaches that can be explored between the 32nd and 40th weeks of pregnancy aimed at encouraging the baby to move into a more desirable position. Typically, babies are most "easily" birthed if they are in a position with the back part of their heads closest to the cervix, and their spines facing almost towards mom's belly button, and their arms and legs tucked in.

Midwives and obstetricians are trained to attempt external cephalic versions to move babies who are breech into more optimal positions – but this can be trying and painful for both mom and babe. For this, and many other reasons, a number of expectant mother's search out other options, including acupuncture and moxibustion, the use of homeopathy, guided visualizations, and a number of bio-mechanical exercises to enhance the pelvic arrangement. A visit with a chiropractor trained in the Webster technique as well is often a great help.

Typically, the majority of women coming to our clinic for help in establishing better foetal positioning are looking for acupuncture and moxibustion. A study done in 1998, and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that moxibustion (burning of the incense-like compressed herb artemesia) to stimulate the point BL 67 lead to a 75% improvement of foetal positioning and babies who became "head-down" prior to birth. Acupuncture at the same point has also been found to help reduce the back pain of early labour associated with a baby in the "posterior" position. Acupuncture at BL67 helps to encourage the baby to rotate to a more anterior (spine facing forward) position. Acupuncture at 40 weeks can also be used to gently encourage the onset of labour, and this typically requires needling at a number of different points depending on the mother to be.

Homeopathy is an exceptionally safe form of treatment, and one that requires the use of minute doses of naturally occurring substances to help one's own body re-establish health and balance. Homeopathy can be safely used for many pregnancy related health concerns – including stimulating breech babies to turn, and late babies to arrive. Although it is always best to consult with a Naturopathic Doctor or a Homeopath to determine precisely which remedy is best for you in particular, there are 2 top favourites which can be tried for a breech presentation: pulsatilla and carbo vegetalis. Although there is slightly less research to support the use of homeopathy for foetal malposition, it's safety profile and cost-concious pricing make it a worthwhile option.

In summary, if you have determined that your baby isn't quite in alignment and ready for birth, know that there are gentle and natural means to try to help move your baby into a better position for a healthy birth.