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Can I Get My Breech Baby to Turn?

Baby is breech! Anything I can do to get him to turn?
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Updated March 2, 2017
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Unfortunately, there’s no surefire way to make baby shift. If there were, we would rarely see breech babies. Still, there are a couple of things you can try. (These aren’t necessarily proven effective, but they aren’t total hogwash either — both methods have seemed to turn a number of fetuses in scientific studies.)

Knee-chest position

Get on your hands and knees (in a crawling position) on the bed, and lay your head, shoulders, and chest flat on the mattress. If your belly is pressed against your thighs, scoot your knees back until it’s hanging free. Hold for 15 minutes, and repeat every two hours while awake.

Moxibustion

Acupuncturists experienced in turning breech babies may be able to urge baby to flip by burning an herb — moxa, aka mugwort — near your little toe. (Nope, we’re not kidding.)

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

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