Acupuncture for children & adults
Cognitive Hypnotherapy

Pre-birth acupuncture

After completing many obstetrics courses, including Debra Betts' on treating women during pregnancy I developed a program to help women prior to labour in order to support physical changes that need to happen and help prepare mentally and emotionally for the birth.

I offer weekly acupuncture treatments from week 36/37 to promote a healthy and natural birth. Points are used according a woman's constitution and history of the pregnancy. These include points to soften the cervix, to help position the baby in the best presentation for labour and to promote optimal energy and stamina for a woman to enter into labour. Research carried out in New Zealand (1) into pre-birth acupuncture  has shown that it results in: fewer inductions, less need for epidurals, fewer emergency caesarians.
 

As a part of package I offer a teaching session for partners, to get them familiar with very useful acupressure points. I teach them how to find points and what they can do for the woman; it is a good way to involve partner into such an amazing transition.

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Moxa for breech presentation

Moxibustion on acupuncture point BL67 can be beneficial in turning babies. The treatment uses a Chinese herb called Moxa (Artemisia argyi), commonly known as ‘Mugwort’ and is usually carried out around 34 – 38 weeks of pregnancy. However, studies suggest that moxibustion is most effective at 34 weeks.

Moxa herb is compressed and rolled into a cigar-shaped herbal stick and then lit and held over an acupuncture point called Bladder 67 which is situated at the lateral side of the base of your little toenail, on the bladder meridian.

Moxibustion is a safe, simple treatment and many women report that the treatment is very calming and relaxing. I will carry out the first moxibustion treatment and demonstrate the technique so that you and most likely your partner can carry it out at home for 10-20 minutes, 1-2 times a day  to each little toe for 10 days, until your baby turns.

I would also suggest looking at https://www.spinningbabies.com/ resources.

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Commonly occurring red flags and contraindications to the use of moxibustion for patients with breech presentation are:
• recent uterine surgery, including Caesarean section, if more recent than 2 years
• low-lying placenta, placenta previa
• uterine or pelvic abnormalities, e.g. uterine fibroids, septum: obstetric staff clearance advised
• insufficient liquor (oligohydramnios) or excessive liquor (poly-hydramnios): obstetric staff clearance advised
• history of any bleeding in pregnancy, antepartum haemorrhage
• threatened premature labour
• any query about ruptured membranes
• any hint of foetal distress
• foetal abnormality, any sign of compromised foetus
• multiple pregnancy
• significant maternal hypertension, any signs of pre-eclampsia, diabetes, cardiac problems or thyroid disease: obstetric staff clearance advised
• Rh negativity
• where Caesarean section is to be performed for other reasons

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1. Betts D, Lennox S. "Acupuncture for prebirth treatment: An observational study of its use in midwifery practice." Medical acupuncture 2006 May; 17(3):17-20

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Moxa for Breech presentation research data

Brici P et al. (2019) Turning foetal breech presentation at 32-35 weeks of
gestational age by acupuncture and moxibustion. Evidence-Based
Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Article ID 8950924. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/8950924 (Accessed 28.01.2023)

Schlaeger, J M., Stoffel. C L, and Bussell J L. (2018) ‘Moxibustion for
Cephalic Version of Breech Presentation’. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s
Health 63 (3) p. 309-322

Tiran, D. & Kenyon, C.A. (2009) Implementing Complementary Therapies in
Midwifery Practice. Draft Clinical Guidelines: Moxibustion. London:
Expectancy.
• Vas J, Aranda-Regules JM, Modesto M, Ramos-Monserrat M, Barón M,
Aguilar I, et al. Using moxibustion in primary healthcare to correct non-vertex
presentation: a multicentre randomised controlled trial. Acupuncture in
Medicine 2013;31:31–8.

Miranda-Garcia M et al. (2019) Effectiveness and safety of acupuncture and
moxibustion in pregnant women with noncephalic presentation: an overview of
systematic reviews. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative
Medicine. Article ID 7036914. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/7036914 (Accessed 28.01.2023)
• Zanchin (2021) ‘Breech presentation and moxibustion: should it be offered to
improve maternal outcomes?’ British Journal of Midwifery 29 (12) p. 692-8.

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