Acupuncture for Breech Presentation- Myth or Very Possible???

With an all time high rate of 32.8% for cesarian birth in our country, Acupuncture has recently gained popularity as a method of turning a breech baby or inducing labor naturally.  This article seeks to demystify this ancient approach as I have seen it work time and time again. Traditionally, the point named Zhi Yin or UB-67, located on the lateral side of the pinky toe is used to turn a baby in breech presentation. Zhi Yin translates to “Reaching Yin.”  For those of you with some working knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, one can understand how a fetus would be the utmost Yin (fluid, soft tissue, or very center) of a woman’s body as the fetus does not obtain its own Yang energy until it takes its first breath outside of the womb.

To offer assistance with breech presentation, often only one acupuncture appointment is needed. Typically the mother is instructed to continue using a technique called moxabustionat home for 10-20 minutes a day until her next sonogram or physical examination. Moxabustion is a technique that involves burning of an herb called mugwort to gently stimulate an acupuncture point. Exceptions to this treatment are when there are structural hindrances in the mother’s body, low levels of amniotic fluid, dehydration or what we sometimes call blood deficiency in Traditional Chinese Medicine.  Points and techniques are chosen to address the blocks first before attempting to needle or moxa the point that coerce the baby to turn into the proper head down position.  When the mother is properly hydrated it increases the volume of amniotic fluid allowing the baby to turn with ease.  When the mother is properly nourished, the blood supply in the uterus is ample allowing the baby to turn and calmly remain in the head down position instead of becoming what we refer to as “restless” and moving in and out of position.  Helpful food choices that prime a pregnant woman’s body for optimal conditions for a fetus to turn can include coconut water, fruits high in water content, eggs, avocados, red meat, red raspberry leaf tea, and fatty fishes that are high in omega-3 like salmon and tuna.

Although babies can be successfully relocated to the proper position up to the moment before birth, it is optimal to seek out treatment around week 33-34 of your pregnancy if you know your baby is not in the correct position. This ensures that all significant blocks to turning are addressed and allows more time with the baby’s head against the cervix to help release proper hormones needed for a smooth birth.

Natural Labor Induction- does it really exist?

It’s all too often that I get a phone call from a frantic Mom-to-be or Father for that matter, desperate for labor to start. Reasons range from fear of the impending doom of a forced induction with pharmaceuticals to a scheduled C-section because they are overdue or high-risk, to just simply being ready to get the show on the road.  Many people are under the assumption that by taking a few herbs or doing a couple acupuncture points that are traditionally contraindicated during pregnancy, that you can make labor happen instantly.  This couldn’t be further from the truth! The fact of the matter is that there is very little known about the mechanism of birth or what makes a baby decide that it is in fact time to make his or her grand introduction into the world.  Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions I get on the phone. Can acupuncture cause contractions? Yes sometimes. Can it help to make contractions more regular if they are already randomly occurring? Yes. Can you cause someone’s water to break? Probably not! Will you leave my office in labor? Highly unlikely, although the chance for naturally going into labor in the next 48 hours seems to jump significantly after you are over 40 weeks of gestation.

When I’m asked if I perform labor inductions, my answer is, “No, but I do offer the service of Labor Prep.” Labor Prep usually begins around week 37-38 depending on the woman, but can be started as late as week 41.  Just like any other patient, your complete medical history is discussed; emphasis is placed on the pregnancy and any prior pregnancies, to gain a better understanding of you how your body reacts physically and emotionally.  Any repetitive patterns of disharmony are noted and checked against pulse and tongue diagnosis and channel palpation. Appropriate points are then needled to help you feel your best going into labor. All fears or concerns about birth are addressed during your appointment. This is commonly a cause to delayed labor. Sometimes its “stuff” you didn’t even realize was an issue (like not wanting a relative in the room during your magic moment, but not wanting to hurt their feelings by saying no or the impending feeling of immense responsibility for the rest of your life).  As with all acupuncture treatments, typically the biggest side effect is relaxation which is always helpful when trying to initiate birth. As your due date draws closer and your body is in a strong enough state to thrive in labor, points that may help to initiate descent of the fetus, dilation and softening of the cervix, or for coercion of contractions are then used.  Sometimes you may be instructed to perform acupressure on yourself in between appointments to help further things along.  Herbs are sometimes employed depending on the health, needs and wishes of the parents.  Appointments are typically once a week from weeks 37-40 and then treatments are given in rapid succession three times in a row anywhere in the range of weeks 40-42 depending on the mother’s health and fetal measurements.

Lastly, if your partner is available, they are encouraged to attend at least one of your appointments. They will be instructed on how to perform acupressure on you during labor to help you progress in a timely manner.  This is often helpful so that they feel like an active participant in the event of birth instead of standing helpless in a corner as the woman they love screams in pain. Acupressure during labor can help to ensure that contractions are strong and getting you somewhere instead of wearing you and baby out, while providing a slow release of natural endorphins that help you to manage the discomfort while remaining as relaxed as possible.  Your brain has spent the last 10 months saving up endorphins for this occasion and has a finite amount to release during the labor and birth. Acupressure is a safe and non-invasive way to encourage your brain to release the appropriate amount in conjunction with the stage of labor you are in.  PDF manuals and demonstration videos can also be emailed to the interested and tech-savvy partner so that they have a simple way to retrieve a short, to the point reminder during the event.  No pun intended!

Click for video of acupressure points to help bring on labor.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/hS8FzLx74PU]

Gesundheit!

Ahhh, fall is here. Even in steamy, swampy Florida you can feel the crispness in the air in the morning. It begins to intrude upon on all your senses. The taste of yummy pumpkin lattes, dry air hitting your skin, seeing leaves change, the smell of bon fires now and again, and the sounds of sickness, uggghh. That’s right, with the change of seasons we also welcome the science experiment that the town becomes as soon as school returns to session that last week in August. It’s as Florida, were a giant petri dish incubating all summer and then wham, everywhere you turn you can hear and see sick people out and about sneezing, sniffling, and hacking. What’s one to do? With the economy in throws, most people that are lucky enough to have a job aren’t about to call in sick for themselves or to keep their sick kid home from school and so the contagion begins.  Be diligent!!! Wash your hands more than normal. Try not to touch things when you are out and about if at all possible and certainly don’t touch your face or mouth after touching something unless you want a sick day of course.

So far this year the cold and flu’s that are going around seem to have an element of dryness with them as well as intense fatigue. There’s a burning in the throat as a warning sign 2-3 days prior to full blown illness. If you find yourself more tired than usual, try to rest. Make nourishing moistening soups like vegetable beef, tomato, and chicken and rice with lots of garlic. You can even freeze them in portion sizes so if you do fall victim to this season’s cold and flu you are able to easily feed yourself a nourishing meal without much effort. If you are already familiar with the netti pot you may want to increase your time together to stay ahead of the dryness. Simple saline will do, but a garlic wash is also helpful for the brave who are prone to instant sinus infections.

Herbal medicines can be of great benefit to nip a cold in the bud before it becomes full blown.  ACF, by buried treasure available at Art of Acupuncture and  most health food stores is my secret weapon when I find myself treating the sneezing masses. The trick to it is to double the frequency of dosage and to continue taking 24-48 hours past feeling well to ensure the pathogen has truly left your terrain.  They also make a pediatric version without white willow bark (natural aspirin) incase of fever. Gan Mao Ling is another favorite if you happen to know a Chinese herbalist. You can take it at bottle dosage preventatively or double the frequency if you suspect you are in-fact fighting something. Again take it a day or two past feeing better. I never get on a plane without a dose of Gan Mao Ling just to make sure I don’t ruin my vacation. As always, if you are a current patient of ours and you suspect your sick, call us and leave a message with your symptoms and we will set out custom herbs for you to stay ahead of the plague, no appointment necessary. Don’t forget to follow the golden rule of illness. For every day that you have a fever please stay home for 24 hours. The person next to you on the bus or in the grocery store that you might infect may not handle the cold or flu as easily as you!