Cephalic Version by Acupuncture-Moxibustion for Breech Presentation

A Simple Blind Controlled Randomized Trial: Cephalic Version by Acupuncture-moxibustion vs Placebo for Breech Presentation

For breech presentation, the cesarean section rate is decreased by external cephalic version. This is a painful operation, with some rare but serious complications. The aim of this trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture-moxibustion, a non-invasive technique, to correct breech presentation before 37 weeks of gestation.

Monocentric controlled randomized trial in a simple blind fashion, comparing acupuncture-moxibustion versus a placebo in singleton pregnancies with breech presentation between 33+5 to 35+5 weeks of gestation. The intervention arm consists of acupuncture-moxibustion at the BL67 acupuncture point, for six seances of twenty minutes two days apart. In the placebo group, the cold light of an inactivated laser is to be applied in the same point during the same time. When cephalic version fail, a manual external cephalic version is to be proposed. The main outcome measure is cephalic presentation at 37+2 weeks of gestation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• breech presentation,
• SINGLETON

Exclusion Criteria:

• maternal age between 18 ans 45,
• multiple gestation,
• fetal or uterine malformation,
• premature rupture of membranes