Is moxibustion useful for breech presentation and nuchal cord?

Written by Zhang Yin Xing
Obstetrics
Updated on March 13, 2025
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Fetal breech presentation and nuchal cord can be effectively addressed with moxibustion. Breech positions are common in early pregnancy but typically resolve to a head-first position by 32 weeks and become relatively stable. Higher incidences of breech positions are noted in cases of fetal abnormalities, twin pregnancies, abnormal amounts of amniotic fluid, uterine abnormalities, and narrow pelvis. If a breech position is still present after 32 weeks, moxibustion treatment can be considered. Moxibustion is applied at the Zhiyin acupoint (located 0.1 inches beside the nail corner on the outer side of the little toe) and is generally recommended once daily for 15 to 30 minutes, with one week constituting a treatment course. Afterward, the improvement in the fetal position can be evaluated. The purpose of using moxibustion is to promote fetal activity, which may help resolve nuchal cord entanglement during fetal movements.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Can I walk for an hour after meals if the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck?

In cases where there is umbilical cord entanglement around the neck, as long as the baby's fetal heart rate and fetal movement checks are normal, the mother can normally go for a walk after meals. This condition will not affect the fetus. It is important to regularly visit the hospital for fetal heart monitoring and prenatal examinations, pay attention to observing changes in fetal movement inside the womb, and avoid doing overly heavy or intense exercises. If any abnormalities in fetal movement or heart rate are observed, it is necessary to go to the hospital for examination. When needed, oxygen intake and treatments to preserve the pregnancy might be required.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Why doesn't the ultrasound show the umbilical cord around the neck?

Generally, in cases where there is umbilical cord entanglement around the neck, it can be detected through an ultrasound examination. However, if the ultrasound does not show the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck, it is possible that the cord moved back around as the fetus moved during pregnancy. It might also be that the cord is not fully wrapped around the fetus's neck, but rather draped over the shoulder or neck. This situation could also relate to the fetal position, making it undetectable.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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What should I do if the fetal umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck once?

During the prenatal ultrasound, it is sometimes discovered that the umbilical cord is wrapped around the fetus's neck, which concerns many pregnant women who fear it may cause fetal hypoxia in utero or affect natural childbirth. However, this concern is not accurate. Currently, in clinical practice, an umbilical cord around the neck is considered a normal physiological phenomenon. Around 30%-40% of fetuses may have the umbilical cord wrapped around their neck. It is acceptable for the umbilical cord to be wrapped around the neck once or twice, as this neither impacts the fetus's oxygen levels nor affects the mode of childbirth; natural birth can still be considered. Therefore, when the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck once, no intervention is required. Follow the normal prenatal check-up routine and pay attention to fetal movements in daily life. As long as the fetal movements are normal, it indicates that the fetal condition in the uterus is good.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Yin Xing
Obstetrics
58sec home-news-image

Is moxibustion useful for breech presentation and nuchal cord?

Fetal breech presentation and nuchal cord can be effectively addressed with moxibustion. Breech positions are common in early pregnancy but typically resolve to a head-first position by 32 weeks and become relatively stable. Higher incidences of breech positions are noted in cases of fetal abnormalities, twin pregnancies, abnormal amounts of amniotic fluid, uterine abnormalities, and narrow pelvis. If a breech position is still present after 32 weeks, moxibustion treatment can be considered. Moxibustion is applied at the Zhiyin acupoint (located 0.1 inches beside the nail corner on the outer side of the little toe) and is generally recommended once daily for 15 to 30 minutes, with one week constituting a treatment course. Afterward, the improvement in the fetal position can be evaluated. The purpose of using moxibustion is to promote fetal activity, which may help resolve nuchal cord entanglement during fetal movements.

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Written by Zhao Su Min
Obstetrics
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How to correct the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck once?

The umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck once, and there is no way to correct it; it cannot be rectified by changing position or through medication. The umbilical cord being wrapped around the neck once can be due to the umbilical cord being relatively long, or the fetus having a large range of movement within the womb. During pregnancy, as the fetal movements change, it might wrap around twice or even three times, although it's also possible that there will be no wrapping of the umbilical cord around the neck by the end. There is no need to panic if the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck once. Pay attention to fetal movements and attend regular prenatal check-ups. If there is an increase or decrease in fetal movements, it is important to visit the hospital promptly to have an ultrasound, listen to the fetal heartbeat, and check for any signs of fetal hypoxia. If fetal hypoxia is present, oxygen therapy should be administered, and pregnancy termination may be necessary if required.