Can Shiatsu Massage Help Turn a Breech Baby in Pregnancy?
Recently I was contacted by the friend of a pregnant woman who was quite concerned about how stressed she was. He was wanting to find a way to help her relax as she was 34 weeks and he knew from his own wife's experience how important being relaxed is for labour and giving birth.
He'd already spoken to her about receiving Shiatsu massage many times during her pregnancy but she had not made any bookings. He had made sure his wife received regular shiatsu during her third pregnancy and saw how it benefited her and wanted the same for his friend. (Great husband, great friend!).
After a chat with me he passed on her number and I gave her a call. I'm always a bit nervous about doing this as you never know how the call will be received. Thankfully she was very happy and we had a wonderful chat and she booked in.
When I saw her she was 35 weeks. She'd had an easy pregnancy and was only just starting to develop some hip, back and shoulder discomfort. The main issue she wanted help with was turning her Breech baby head down.
Bubs had been lying sideways with head higher than his bum. With bubs in this transverse position it is not possible for labour to proceed normally as there is no pressure on the cervix to stimulate labour and the baby cannot move down the birth canal. She was due for her 36th week appointment in 5 days at which point the obstetrician would decide if an ECV (External Cephalic Version) was necessary to reduce the risk of a caeserean. ECV is a manual and quite physical technique to turn the baby into a cephalic (head down) position. It can be quite uncomfortable for the woman and is carried out in conjunction with ultrasound to determine the location of the placenta. Success rates range from 30-80% with higher success in second pregnancies.
In many cases babies turn naturally before full term. However for many mothers-to-be the stress and anxiety associated with birth and the possibility of having a caesarean when they are hoping for a natural delivery may more likely keep the baby in breech position (proposed in studies by Allen & Mitchell 2008, Founds 2007, Lowden 1998).
There is no specific manual technique in Shiatsu massage to help turn a breech or transverse baby during pregnancy. The use of moxibustion on the acupuncture point Bladder 67 is generally the technique that is used with the client given specific instructions on how to do it themselves at home for 15 minutes everyday for the next 5-10 days. It is important there is a check done to see the position of the baby after 5 days as if it has already turned the treatment must stop to prevent the baby from turning back into its previous position. Research has shown moxibustion to be more successful than maternal positioning to turn a breech baby (Cardini & Weixin 1998, Kanakura et al 2001, Neri et al 2004).
With any pregnancy Shiatsu massage helps the body to do what is best for it as well as give mother and baby quality time connectingwith one another. So when it comes to providing support and bodywork for a mother who has a breech baby I first need to know, if possible, the position of the baby and if there are any medical reasons why the baby may not change position. Treatment can then proceed with a focus on supporting the mothers overall energy patterns as well as helping her, soft tissue and tight ligaments to relax, correction of pelvic alignment and a gentle intention for the baby to turn head down.
I often find babies can become quite active during the Shiatsu and take this as a positive sign that the energy patterns in the mother are shifting to support the baby to turn into the correct position.
This client's baby was particularly active when I moved her onto the second side and towards the end of the treatment. When I connected with the Bladder 67 points at the end of her treatment they were very active, buzzing, and I felt confident the Shiatsu had been effective in guiding bubs to a new position.
With instructions and moxa in hand she left my clinic relaxed and hopeful for her 36th week appointment.
I contacted her the day she was due for her obstetrics appointment and was very pleased to hear back from her that baby was now head down.
“Thank you so much for checking in. I had an ulstrasound and my baby turned! Thank you so much for all your help 💕 💕💕”
Our next appointment will be towards the end of her pregnancy to support the initiation of birth process.
If you would like support and Shiatsu Massage during your pregnancy please contact Marian on 0403550695 or book an appointment using the booking system on the Booking and Contact page.