Acupuncture/Moxibustion for Pregnancy, Breech Babies, and Postpartum | Denver Doula Support
An Interview with Dr. Anita Curry
As a Denver doula and Denver birth photographer, I’m constantly asked about natural, integrative support during pregnancy. Whether it’s managing discomfort, regulating the nervous system, or figuring out next steps when a baby is breech, acupuncture is one of the most common conversations I have with my clients.
And when they ask who I trust in Denver, Dr. Anita Curry is always one at the top of my referral list.
Dr. Curry is a Denver-based acupuncturist who specializes in pregnancy, postpartum care, and breech presentation using acupuncture and moxibustion. Her work aligns beautifully with the kind of Denver doula support I believe in: whole-person care, informed choice, and deep respect for the body’s wisdom.
I sat down with her to talk about how acupuncture supports pregnancy, how moxibustion helps breech babies turn, and why postpartum care deserves far more attention than it usually gets.
Meet Dr. Anita Curry, Denver Acupuncturist for Pregnancy and Postpartum
Dr. Anita Curry has been practicing acupuncture since 2001, with women’s health always at the core of her work. In 2013, her practice naturally expanded into fertility care, and from there into pregnancy and postpartum support.
Over the years, she noticed a gap. While acupuncture was widely known for helping people get pregnant, it was far less recognized for how powerfully it can support pregnancy, birth preparation, and postpartum recovery.
Her experience spans hospital and birth center settings, including the maternity ward at Lutheran Hospital in Brooklyn and Colorado birth centers such as Mountain Midwifery and Seasons Birth Center. She also trained and practiced as a doula, giving her firsthand insight into the full range of birth experiences people have.
This kind of integrated perspective is exactly why I love collaborating with providers like Dr. Curry as part of a strong Denver doula support network.
How Acupuncture Supports the Pregnant Body
Pregnancy is not just a “normal body with a baby added.” It is a completely unique physiological and emotional state.
In Chinese medicine, pregnancy is its own ecosystem. Acupuncture focuses on supporting the whole person rather than isolating symptoms. That includes circulation, digestion, hydration, emotional health, energy levels, and nervous system regulation.
Acupuncture during pregnancy can help with:
Nausea and vomiting
Back, hip, and pelvic pain
Insomnia and fatigue
Anxiety and emotional overwhelm
Circulation and swelling
Many clients I work with as a Denver birth photographer share that acupuncture becomes one of the few places they feel fully relaxed and deeply supported during pregnancy.
What Is Moxibustion and Why Is It Used During Pregnancy?
Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves burning dried mugwort near specific acupuncture points to gently warm and stimulate the body.
It’s best known for helping breech babies turn, but moxibustion is also used during pregnancy and postpartum to support circulation, uterine tone, milk supply, and recovery. Dr. Curry uses it for concerns such as low or high amniotic fluid, placenta-related issues, mastitis, engorgement, and postpartum depletion.
Many pregnant clients appreciate having an at-home practice they can do between sessions, which fits beautifully into holistic Denver doula support models.
Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Breech Babies in Denver
Breech presentation is one of the most common reasons clients reach out for referrals.
Moxibustion for breech babies focuses on the acupuncture point BL67, located on the outer corner of the little toe. Gently warming this point increases movement in the uterus and improves circulation, helping create the conditions for a baby to reposition naturally.
From both a Chinese medicine and physiological perspective, the goal is to relax the uterus, improve uterine tone, and increase space and movement.
When to Start Acupuncture/Moxi for a Breech Baby
Acupuncture and moxibustion are most effective when started around 32 weeks. Early care matters. Starting early significantly improves outcomes, which is why many Denver doulas encourage clients to request an earlier ultrasound if possible.
Even later in pregnancy, acupuncture and moxibustion can still support comfort, nervous system regulation, and increase the likelihood of a successful External Cephalic Version (ECV).
Success Rates with Breech Babies and Acupuncture
When treatment begins between 32 and 34 weeks and is practiced consistently, Dr. Curry sees a high percentage of babies turn within one to two weeks.
Several of my own Denver doula support clients have avoided additional interventions after working with her, which is why she’s a provider I feel confident recommending.
Acupuncture for Late Pregnancy, Labor Prep, and Nervous System Regulation
The final weeks of pregnancy are intense, physically and emotionally.
Acupuncture helps shift the body out of fight-or-flight and into a parasympathetic, rest-and-digest state. This supports better sleep, emotional regulation, and overall calm.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, late pregnancy care focuses on nourishing yin and relaxing the pelvis so the baby can settle deeper into the pelvis. This kind of nervous system preparation pairs beautifully with both midwifery care and Denver doula support.
Postpartum Acupuncture and Recovery Support
Postpartum care is often overlooked, even though it’s one of the most vulnerable transitions.
Dr. Curry supports postpartum recovery through acupuncture, herbs, and bodywork for issues such as pain, hormonal shifts, anxiety, exhaustion, surgical recovery, and breastfeeding challenges.
As a Denver birth photographer, I see firsthand how much difference it makes when families are supported during this phase, not just left to figure it out alone.
Why I Refer My Doula Clients to Acupuncture
I refer my Denver doula support clients to acupuncture when:
A baby is breech
Pregnancy discomforts are interfering with daily life
Nervous system regulation is needed in late pregnancy
Postpartum recovery feels harder than expected
Acupuncture integrates beautifully with midwifery care, chiropractic, pelvic floor physical therapy, and prenatal massage. It strengthens the entire care team.
How to Book Acupuncture/Moxibustion with Dr. Anita Curry in Denver
📍 Location: Denver, Colorado
🌐 Website: floacupuncture.com
📱 Text or call: 303-710-9334 (texting is best)
First sessions include a comprehensive intake, acupuncture, often moxibustion, bodywork, and guidance for at-home practices. Most people leave feeling calmer, more supported, and more confident in their body.