47 - breech baby, but no need for ECV!!

 Overview:
This woman has a five year history of coming to Acubalance and trying to get pregnant.  Using donor eggs, she finally became pregnant in September, 2008.  In late April, 2009, at 36 weeks pregnant, she called the clinic to let us know her baby was in a transverse breech position, that she was scheduled for an External Cephalic Version (ECV) with her doctor to manually turn the baby to the headfirst position.  Knowing that an ECV carries the risk of premature labour, cord entanglement, and trauma, she wanted to know what Traditional Chinese Medicine could do to help her with the procedure, or to preferably let her avoid the procedure altogether.
 Treatment:
She came in for a treatment the night before her ECV was scheduled (which was not as much time as I would have liked, but it was all the time we had).  I explained that the treatment I would be using encorporated moxibustion with acupuncture, and I sent her home with instructions to i) repeat the moxibustion treatment the morning before her ECV apointment, and to ii) ask the baby directly to please turn head down because it is safer for both baby and mommy.
 Outcome:
She called the next day to say that her baby turned, and there was no need for a ECV!  She told us when she got to the hospital, they did an ultrasound to confirm whether the baby was still in an incorrect position, at which time the technologist confirmed with the OB/GYN that there was no need to proceed with the ECV.  Our client was very happy, and very relieved to not have to undertake the procedure.  She is now 39 weeks pregnant and feeling good!

Erin Flynn