When I was pregnant with my third child, I discovered the baby was in a breech position. I had been planning a natural home birth, so getting the baby to turn became a top priority. At 32 weeks, there was still plenty of time for the baby to flip. I thought I was done with breech births, but my fourth and fifth babies had other plans, leading to multiple breech pregnancies, a successful flip, and two breech deliveries.
Let’s talk about what can cause a breech baby, how to identify it, and what to do if it happens. As a mom of six and a doula, I’ve got plenty of experience here! Ideally, a baby should be head-down for birth with their face towards your back, which is called a vertex presentation. Babies typically move around a lot until they find a good position, but sometimes their position isn’t perfect.
If your baby is feet-first or bottom-first, that’s a breech presentation. Instead of a head-first delivery, the baby’s bottom or feet are closest to the birth canal. Early in pregnancy, there’s enough room for the baby to move freely. However, as the pregnancy progresses, a breech position can become problematic.
Most babies are head-down by 36 weeks, but around 3-4% of full-term babies aren’t. While the exact cause of a breech baby isn’t known, there are some common factors identified by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Experts at Spinning Babies also list some potential risks, though none of these guarantee a breech baby.
Sometimes, you can get the baby to flip before delivery, or they might decide to arrive feet or bottom first. Conventional healthcare professionals usually suggest a Cesarean section for breech babies, but it’s not the only option. If the placenta isn’t blocking the birth canal and the baby’s heart rate is stable, some obstetricians may agree to a vaginal delivery. This decision depends on your health history, the baby’s exact position, and how skilled your provider is with vaginal breech births.
Many doctors quickly opt for a C-section since it’s considered less risky, while midwives often have more experience with breech deliveries. It’s crucial to discuss your birth plan with your healthcare provider. C-sections are major surgeries with risks like drug side effects, infections, blood loss, and future pregnancy complications. The maternal death rate is 11 times higher with C-sections than vaginal deliveries, but sometimes it’s the safest option for both mother and baby.
I had an emergency C-section with my third baby, which was life-saving, even though I planned for a natural delivery. Fortunately, I managed to have natural vaginal births for my other children, including breech deliveries.
Large studies involving over 10,000 women and their breech babies showed no significant differences in outcomes between planned C-sections and vaginal breech births. In other words, vaginal breech delivery can be as safe as a C-section. However, moms and providers must consider future risks. For instance, in the Netherlands, planned C-sections saved some babies but also led to maternal deaths and complications in future pregnancies.
If allowed for a vaginal delivery, be aware of risks like cord prolapse and umbilical cord issues. The cord might wrap around the baby, causing oxygen deprivation. A skilled provider can manage breech babies if they get stuck. During my last breech birth, I noticed it was crucial to wait until fully dilated before pushing to reduce tearing. Despite feeling the urge to push, I focused on breathing calmly.
In breech deliveries, a hands-off approach is recommended for providers. Touching the baby can startle them, causing them to raise their hands too soon. Now, let’s talk about methods to help flip a breech baby.
What works for one might not work for another; always consult your doctor. In conventional medicine, your provider might try to manually turn the baby by pressing on your stomach, but I chose other methods first. Basic inversion involves flipping your body to help the baby turn. I’d hang upside down on stairs, which can realign pelvic ligaments and encourage the baby to move.
I also tried handstands, which meant performing them in a swimsuit at the pool—an interesting experience during the third trimester! Another technique was to lean on an angled ironing board, head down, for 20 minutes, three times daily. It’s easier than a prolonged handstand. A preferred method was walking on hands and feet in a “bottom-up” position, which my toddlers found hilarious.
Chiropractic care can be invaluable, especially the Webster technique, which releases tight areas near the uterus. It doesn’t physically move the baby but helps them have the space to flip. One study showed an 82% success rate with this technique for breech babies. It also relieves mom’s hip tension and lower back pain. For chiropractor referrals, check the ICPA site.
Spinning Babies provides resources for turning breech babies and information on safe breech delivery positions like hands and knees. Exercises promoting baby movement can be found through them. If the baby isn’t head-down by 34 weeks, a Spinning Babies-aware practitioner might help.
Acupuncture and moxibustion are additional techniques. A 2010 review found acupuncture helpful in turning breech babies, and a 2021 review showed combining acupuncture with moxibustion was more effective than acupuncture alone. Moxibustion, using the Artemesia herb near a toe trigger point, can make babies more active to turn, especially effective between weeks 34 to 38 or 39.
For my third baby, these techniques worked, and the baby flipped. However, complications due to an undetected placenta previa required an emergency C-section. This condition happens when the placenta blocks the cervix, complicating head-down positioning and vaginal delivery. Nonetheless, with my fifth and sixth babies, I achieved successful breech deliveries. My struggles with Hashimoto’s and low thyroid might have contributed to these breech pregnancies. Each pregnancy is unique, so what works for one may not work for another.
