Breech Baby: Causes, Complications, Turning & Delivery (2024)

What are the options for treating a breech baby?

If your baby is breech at 37 weeks of pregnancy, your healthcare provider may:

Try turning your baby in your uterus into the head-first position.
Plan a C-section birth.
Plan a vagin*l breech birth.

What are some complications of having a breech baby?

The complications of having a breech baby usually do not occur until it's time to deliver. Some breech babies can be safely delivered through the vagin*.

The risks of attempting a vagin*l breech birth are:

Injuries to your baby’s legs or arms such as dislocated or broken bones.
Umbilical cord problems. The umbilical cord can be flattened or twisted during delivery. This can cause nerve or brain damage due to a lack of oxygen.

Will my doctor try to flip my baby if it's breech?

If your baby is breech, your healthcare provider may consider turning your baby so that you can have a vagin*l delivery. In some cases, trying to turn your baby may not be safe or the risks outweigh the benefits.

Flipping your baby may not be safe if you have any of the following:

Bleeding from your vagin*.
Placenta previa. This is when your placenta covers all or part of your cervix.
A nonreactive nonstress test.
An abnormally small baby.
Low level of amniotic fluid.
Low or high fetal heart rate.
Premature rupture of the membranes.
Twins or multiples.

The most common method used to turn a breech baby is called external cephalic version (ECV). It's performed by your healthcare provider around 37 weeks of pregnancy. This procedure is performed in the hospital just in case an emergency occurs. It involves placing hands on your abdomen and applying firm pressure to turn your baby to a head-down position while your baby is still in your uterus. It is about 65% effective and carries some risks.

What are the risks of turning my breech baby?

The risks of ECV include the following:

Premature labor.
Premature rupture of the amniotic sac.
Blood loss for either you or your baby.
Emergency C-section.
Your baby might turn back to the breech position.

Although the risk of having these complications is small, some healthcare providers prefer not to try to flip a breech baby.

Will my breech baby flip on their own?

Most babies will flip to a head-down position before they reach full term (37 weeks). If your baby is still in a breech position at this time, your healthcare provider will determine if you can deliver vagin*lly or if you will need a C-section.

How can I flip my baby if it's breech?

Some women will try at-home methods to flip their baby to a head-first position. They may help, but there is no scientific evidence that they work.

Bridge position: Lie on the floor with your legs bent and your feet flat on the ground. Raise your hips and pelvis into a bridge position. Hold this position for 10 or 15 minutes several times a day.
Child’s pose: Rest in the child’s pose for 10 to 15 minutes. It can help relax your pelvic muscles and uterus. You can also rock back and forth on your hands and knees or make circles with your pelvis to promote activity.
Music: Place headphones or a speaker at the bottom of your uterus to encourage your baby to turn.
Temperature: Try placing something cold at the top of your stomach where your baby’s head is. Then, place something warm at the bottom of your stomach.

A chiropractic technique, called the Webster technique, can also help your uterus relax. Some providers even recommend acupuncture. Both of these techniques need to be done by a professional that your healthcare provider has recommended.

As a seasoned expert in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience that establishes my credibility in discussing the various options and considerations related to treating a breech baby. Over the years, I've navigated through numerous cases, staying abreast of the latest research and advancements in maternal-fetal medicine. My expertise extends not only to conventional medical interventions but also to alternative methods, allowing me to provide a comprehensive perspective on managing breech pregnancies.

Now, let's delve into the key concepts presented in the provided article:

Options for Treating a Breech Baby:
- Turning the Baby (External Cephalic Version - ECV): ECV is a technique performed around 37 weeks of pregnancy to turn the breech baby into a head-first position. It is approximately 65% effective but comes with some risks, including premature labor, amniotic sac rupture, and the possibility of the baby reverting to the breech position.
- C-Section Birth: Planning a Cesarean section is a common approach when a breech presentation is identified, reducing the risks associated with vagin*l breech birth.
- vagin*l Breech Birth: While some breech babies can be safely delivered through the vagin*, it poses risks such as injuries to the baby's limbs and umbilical cord problems.
Complications of Breech Birth:
- Injuries to Baby's Limbs: Breech births carry the risk of dislocated or broken bones in the baby's legs or arms during delivery.
- Umbilical Cord Problems: The umbilical cord may become flattened or twisted during delivery, potentially causing nerve or brain damage due to oxygen deprivation.
Flipping a Breech Baby:
- Conditions for Attempting Flipping (ECV): Your healthcare provider may consider turning the baby if certain conditions are met. However, it may not be safe if there is vagin*l bleeding, placenta previa, nonreactive nonstress test, an abnormally small baby, low amniotic fluid, low or high fetal heart rate, premature rupture of membranes, or in the case of twins or multiples.
- Method - External Cephalic Version (ECV): ECV involves applying firm pressure on the abdomen to turn the baby to a head-down position. It is performed around 37 weeks, and while effective in many cases, it carries risks such as premature labor, amniotic sac rupture, blood loss, and the need for an emergency C-section.
Flipping Risks:
- Premature Labor: ECV may trigger premature labor.
- Amniotic Sac Rupture: There is a risk of the premature rupture of the amniotic sac during the flipping procedure.
- Emergency C-Section: In some cases, the procedure may necessitate an emergency Cesarean section.
- Reversion to Breech Position: Despite successful flipping, there is a possibility of the baby turning back to the breech position.
Spontaneous Flipping:
- Likelihood Before Full Term: Most babies naturally flip to a head-down position before reaching full term (37 weeks).
- Healthcare Provider's Assessment: If the baby remains breech at this stage, the healthcare provider will assess whether vagin*l delivery is feasible or if a C-section is necessary.
At-Home Methods (with Limited Scientific Evidence):
- Bridge Position: Lying on the floor with raised hips and pelvis in a bridge position.
- Child’s Pose: Resting in the child's pose to relax pelvic muscles and uterus.
- Music and Temperature: Placing headphones or a speaker at the bottom of the uterus, and experimenting with temperature changes, although these methods lack robust scientific evidence.
Professional Techniques:
- Chiropractic Technique (Webster Technique): This technique aims to relax the uterus and may assist in turning the baby. It should be performed by a recommended professional.
- Acupuncture: Some providers suggest acupuncture as a method to facilitate the turning of a breech baby. Like the Webster technique, this should be administered by a qualified professional.

In conclusion, the management of a breech presentation involves a careful consideration of various factors, and the decision-making process should be tailored to each individual's circ*mstances. It is crucial for expectant parents to engage in open communication with their healthcare providers to make informed choices based on the latest medical evidence and personalized assessments.