What is a Breech Pregnancy?

As a fetus forms in the womb it assumes many positions, the most common being the fetal position, called so precisely because it is characteristic of infants. At around five or six months, expecting mothers will begin to feel their baby move inside them. These first movements are exciting for pregnant parents, and it is often a sign of  a healthy pregnancy.

Most babies get into the  “vertex” or “cephalic” position in the last month of gestation. This position means the baby’s head is facing down, which is the ideal position for a natural or normal birth. Many babies are still in breech position before 35 or 36 weeks, and they turn in the last few weeks.  

But what is a breech position?

Unlike the cephalic position, breech position is when the baby’s head is not in the direction of the vaginal canal. There are three types:

1. Footling Breech. This is when one or both feet are hanging so the feet are closest to the vaginal canal.

2. Frank Breech. This is when the baby’s legs are straight up in front of the body and its feet are near its face.

3. Complete Breech. This is when the baby is in a sitting position in the womb, it’s heads are crossed in front of it, and its feet are near the bottom.

There are many theories as to why babies position themselves in breech. Irregular uterus shape, too little fluid, and multiple pregnancies are just three. What many sources might say is that if it is the first baby, the chances of the baby turning is one out of eight, while a second or third baby in breech has a one out of three chance of turning.

While there is nothing to worry about during pregnancy, breech positions can complicate the birthing process. Usually, doctors will conduct an ultrasound at around 36 weeks to check the baby’s position or they may conduct an abdominal palpation to check on the baby’s position. 

If the baby is in breech position, doctors may suggest trying an external cephalic version, a procedure wherein the doctor turns the baby around. Often performed at 37 weeks, the baby is monitored through a cardiograph to ensure that no stress is put on the baby.  

Roughly, a 30-minute procedure, one in every 1,000 women to have an external cephalic version will go into labour while one in every 200 will need an immediate caesarean.

Some women prefer to try natural methods of turning the baby. Yoga’s “child’s pose,” which encourages rotation of the pelvis is one common method; actually rotating the pelvis to promote the baby’s natural movement is another; and guiding the baby with music, light, or temperature (usually pressing either of the three to the area of stomach close to the head and then slowly guiding the baby down) is yet another.

If the baby doesn’t turn by the time a woman is ready to give birth, a caesarean section might be the safest option for both mother and child. This method of delivery will ensure less stress on both the baby and the mother.