A breech pregnancy occurs when the baby is positioned head-up in the woman’s uterus, so the feet are towards the birth canal. Unlike normal pregnancy, where the baby’s position is upside down during labor, breech pregnancy possesses a few different challenges for both mother and baby.
Your baby usually turns head down to prepare to make it’s way out during birth. If at around 36 weeks’ gestation,the baby is still in breach [position (feet down), it’s called a breech baby.
How to know if my baby is breech?
Your obstetrician will be able to tell that by feeling your baby’s position through your stomach. An ultrasound will confirm that. Then your doctor will discuss safe pregnancy options with you.
Types of breach positions:
Is turning a breech baby and having a vaginal birth possible?
Your doctor, tries to turn the baby into a head-down position by applying pressure on your abdomen. It is suggested around 36-38 weeks of pregnancy. Around 50% of breech babies can be turned this way, allowing a vaginal birth. It is a safe procedure and is called external cephalic version (ECV). You should plan a hospital birth where you can have an emergency caesarean section if needed
Inversion : Another popular method for women with breech babies is inverting their bodies to encourage the baby to flip. Women use different methods, like standing on their hands in a swimming pool, propping up their hips with pillows, or even using the stairs to help elevate their pelvis.
Disclaimer: Ladies, please don’t try these stunts at home. Only to be done under the supervision of a trainer.
The biggest question with this situation is what is the safest method for a woman to deliver a breech baby?
To avoid a diabolic situation, planned cesaerian is found to be the preferred method of delivery for women with breech pregnancies. The rates of infant death and complications were significantly lower with planned cesareans for breech babies and is considerably the safest option.
Also, if you are having twins and the first baby is breech, your healthcare professional will usually recommend a planned caesarean section.
