5 ways to turn a breech baby before labor and delivery

How do you turn a breech baby? Here are safe methods worth trying to reduce the risk of complications during labor and delivery.

Throughout pregnancy, a baby moves around in her mother's uterus. As childbirth nears, most babies assume a head-down position. But, in some cases, babies rotate and rest their bottom or feet in their mother's uterus, or what is called Breech (or suhi in Filipino). Doctors confirm this through a physical exam or ultrasound.

Babies assume the breech position for a variety of reasons. It may be a response to irregular levels of amniotic fluid, or if they are making room for a twin!

Though not entirely dangerous, babies in breech positions are prone to more complications than those born headfirst. These include umbilical cord complications, which can lead to nerve and brain damage as well as birth injuries to their hips or thighs.

While breech babies can be delivered normally, most doctors would prefer to do a Cesarean section, to be safe. Though this procedure comes with its own set of risks, such as bleeding and infection.

What is a breech baby?

In the time prior to the birth due date, most babies are in the headfirst position in the mother's womb or uterus. Sometimes, your baby might be in a bottom-first (or feet first) position. This is what we call a breech birth or breech baby.

Babies may be breech earlier in pregnancy. Most of them turn on their own to be headfirst by the time of delivery. As you get closer to your due date, your doctor will be able to tell if your baby is breech. They can check by a physical exam, ultrasound, or both.

Types of a breech baby

There are 4 main types of breech position.

• Frank breech - This is when your baby's bottom is positioned lowest in the birth canal. In this position, their knees are extended toward your abdomen, and hips are flexed (legs are straight up in front of the body). This is the most usual breech position.
• Complete breech - In this position, your baby's knees and hips are flexed, and folded under each other.
• Footing breech -This happens sometimes when one or both feet of the baby are pointed down to the birth canal.
• Transverse lie - This is a form of breech position where your baby is positioned horizontally across your uterus instead of vertically. This would make their shoulder enter the vagina first.

Causes of a breech baby

It is not generally understood why a baby is breech. Some factors may contribute to a baby being in a breech presentation. These include the following:

• You have been pregnant before.
• There is more than one fetus in your uterus or womb (twins or multiple).
• There is too much or too little amniotic fluid.
• The uterus has an abnormality in shape or has abnormal growths, such as fibroids.
• The placenta covers all or part of the opening of the uterus (placenta previa).
• The baby is preterm.

Sometimes, babies with certain birth defects will not turn into a head-down positions before birth. However, most fetuses in a breech position are otherwise normal.

Signs of a breech baby

There are no common signs associated with a breech baby. However, if you are 36 weeks pregnant and observe the baby's head is pressing higher up in your abdomen or feeling kicks in the lower abdomen can be signed. Hence, you may need to consult a doctor immediately.

If your doctor does decide to turn your breech baby before you give birth, here are some methods to expect.

How to turn breech baby

There are numerous ways to turn a breech baby prior to delivery, each with varying degrees of efficacy. Some mothers seek to gently nudge the baby into the correct position during the later pregnancy (from week 30 forward). Meanwhile, doctors or midwives perform the turn of a breech baby close to, or at the time of delivery.

Here are the 5 approaches or ways how to turn a breech baby.

1. Have your doctor perform an external cephalic version

Typically done at the 37th week of pregnancy, the external cephalic version is done by a doctor using her hands, pressing on the outside of a woman's abdomen and manually and gently turning the baby into a head-down position in the uterus.

Before the procedure, your doctor will order an ultrasound to confirm your baby is breech and you may also be given medication to relax your uterus, as this procedure has been known to be quite painful.

2. Do forward-leaning inversion

Assuming positions that relax the pelvic muscles can help encourage a breech baby to turn on her own. For instance, assuming a child's pose or kneeling and then leaning forward for about 10 to 15 minutes each day can affect your uterus' gravitational pull. You can also try rocking back and forth or doing pelvic rotations, like gentle belly dancing, to move your baby around.

3. Try Acupuncture

Moxibustion, which is a type of acupuncture that doesn't use needles, makes use of gentle heat to apply pressure on a woman's belly.

Though more research is needed to clearly define its benefits, studies have found that acupuncture can influence the fetal position and it can be done as early as the 32nd week of pregnancy.

4. Do the Pelvic Tilt

Beginning at the 32nd week of pregnancy, the pelvic tilt involves the use of cushions (or ironing board) to support your buttocks. Wait until your baby is moving around a lot, then lie down and lift your hips. Make sure to keep your feet on the ground and your knees bent.

5. Relax by swimming and listening to music

Swimming during the third trimester can relieve tired muscles and joints, making it easier for your uterus to relax. Though it doesn't promise to turn a breech baby, swimming can make it easier for this to happen. Another thing you could try is listening to music or playing it close to the base of your bump can encourage your baby to come closer and turn towards the sound.

Are you expecting a breech baby? We'd love to hear your thoughts about this in the comments below.

Sleeping positions to turn breech baby

Sometimes, all your baby needs is quite an encouragement to flip head down. Looking for positions that give your baby space can be very simple and may do the trick. Good positions to try include hands and knees, kneeling leaning forward,  and lunging. Find what feels good to your body.

You may also experiment with different sleeping positions like lying on your side with pillows. You may need the pillow propping up your body and between your legs to provide greater space for the pelvis. In this case, your baby may have greater space in the pelvis to flip around.

Sex positions to flip breech baby

As long as your doctor or health care provider allows you for sex during pregnancy, there might be few sex positions that may help flip the breech baby.

The best sex position is a fours with a slight sway in your back. This will encourage space for fetal positioning, during sexual intercourse or not.

Additionally, you may want to consider an old doggy style, but add a tilt so that your chest is lower than your belly.

How does labor start with a breech baby?

Having a breech baby does not change some of the first signals of labor, such as contractions or membranes rupture. Usually, your doctor may suggest a planned cesarean section. If your delivery is planned, you may not have any labor symptoms.

However, if you are in labor and in the hospital, the doctor will confirm your baby's final positioning. They will attempt a vaginal delivery, but it is more likely they will push through with a C-section to be safe.

Breech baby birth defects

Birth defects are slightly more common in breech babies. It may be the reason that the baby did not move to the head down position. Moreover, most breech babies at delivery are born without any health problems.

However, the risks of attempting a vaginal breech birth are the following:

• Injuries to your baby's legs or arms like dislocations or broken bones.
• Umbilical cord issues. The umbilical cord can be flattened or twisted during delivery. This may cause nerve or brain damage due to a lack of oxygen.

Always a reminder that you should always seek advice from your doctor.

Additional information from Nathanielle Torre

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