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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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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Is it dangerous for the umbilical cord to be wrapped around the neck during the mid-stage of pregnancy?

During a mid-pregnancy ultrasound, it is sometimes indicated by the presence of a U-shaped or W-shaped notch behind the fetus's neck that the fetus may have the umbilical cord wrapped around its neck. During pregnancy, it is perfectly normal for the umbilical cord to wrap around the neck, and it generally does not affect the fetus or pose any danger. The length of the umbilical cord during pregnancy is approximately 30 to 80 centimeters, which is quite long relative to the size of the uterine cavity. Hence, many umbilical cords have excess length that can wrap around the neck or limbs of the fetus, leading to the umbilical cord being coiled around the neck or limbs. However, current research indicates that whether the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck or limbs once or twice, it does not affect the fetus. It does not cause intrauterine hypoxia or affect the growth and development of the fetus, nor does it influence the mode of delivery. A natural childbirth can still be an entirely viable option.

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The difference between a V-type and U-type nuchal cord.

When umbilical cord entanglement occurs, ultrasound examination may reveal a U-shaped or V-shaped entanglement. The V-shape and U-shape both indicate that the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck once. In such cases, there is no need for excessive anxiety. Sometimes the cord may unwind by itself as the fetal position changes, loosening or alleviating the entanglement. It is important to regularly visit the hospital for prenatal check-ups, rest adequately, enhance nutrition, and adopt a left lateral position to improve placental blood supply.

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Obstetrics
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Does umbilical cord around the neck require a B-ultrasound recheck?

When there is a situation of umbilical cord around the neck, pregnant women need to regularly visit the hospital for an ultrasound checkup to understand the condition of the umbilical cord entanglement, mainly to monitor the umbilical blood flow. If there is an increase in umbilical blood flow, it indicates that the cord entanglement is tight, which can affect the baby's safety, potentially leading to lack of oxygen or suffocation. Therefore, in the late stages of pregnancy, it is also necessary to go to the hospital every 3-7 days for fetal heart monitoring to check if there is any lack of oxygen in the fetus while inside the womb. If there is fetal hypoxia in the late stages of pregnancy, it is advisable to terminate the pregnancy in a timely manner.

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What will the fetal movement be like if the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck?

Generally, when the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck, it often does not affect the fetal movement or fetal heart rate changes. It is quite common for the cord to be wrapped around once, and if the wrapping is loose and does not affect the blood supply from the placenta, fetal movement will not change. However, if the cord is tightly wrapped multiple times, it can affect the blood supply of the umbilical cord and impact the fetal blood circulation, leading to frequent fetal movements. Therefore, pregnant women should learn to count fetal movements themselves to understand if the fetus is experiencing hypoxia in the womb.