Breech Baby Position & Delivery Options
When baby is bottom-down instead of head-down - turning techniques and delivery options.
Overview
Breech position means baby is bottom-down or feet-down instead of head-down. About 3-4% of babies are breech at term. Most are head-down by 36 weeks.
If baby is breech near term, options include external cephalic version (manually turning baby), waiting to see if baby turns, or scheduled C-section. Most providers recommend C-section for breech.
Some techniques may encourage baby to turn: certain positions, chiropractic care, acupuncture. Success varies, but many babies turn on their own by 37 weeks.
💡 Key Points
- •Baby is bottom or feet-first instead of head-down
- •Affects 3-4% of term pregnancies
- •Types: frank (feet by head), complete (crossed legs), footling (feet first)
- •External cephalic version can turn baby (50-70% success)
- •Most breech babies delivered by C-section
- •Some techniques may encourage turning
📖 What to Know
- →Breech discovered at 32-36 week ultrasound
- →Many babies turn on their own by 37 weeks
- →External version attempted at 37 weeks if still breech
- →Version uncomfortable but not usually painful
- →Small risk of emergency C-section during version
- →Few providers perform vaginal breech delivery
- →C-section usually scheduled at 39 weeks
✓ How to Prepare
- →Discuss options if baby breech at 32+ weeks
- →Try positions: bridge, hands-and-knees, inversion
- →Consider chiropractic (Webster technique)
- →Ask about external cephalic version
- →Understand risks and success rate of version
- →Prepare mentally for possible C-section
- →Get second opinion if desired
- →Know that many babies turn last minute
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