A: According to an herbalist I know, homeopathic pulsatilla has been successful in helping a breech baby turn. Since I am not an herbalist, I do not feel comfortable "prescribing" the dosage for this formula. You should seek the advice of a more knowledgeable herbalist and/or clear this with your doctor or midwife. One non-invasive method to help a breech turn is to keep the hips elevated above the shoulders for 10 minutes for several days (either adopt a knee-chest (butt in the air) position, or the famous "ironing board" position (on back at about 45-degree angle, head down). Your partner should be encouraged to talk to the baby near your pubic bone so that the baby will turn. An alternative is to play music via headphones down near the pubic bone. I've also heard the placing a bag of frozen vegetables (or ice cubes in a towel) will make the baby move to a more favorable birth position.

For more information on breech babies, see http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/breech.html

Copyright, Valerie Malott 1999