A breech baby is a term that refers to a baby who is in the ‘breech’ position and this typically means that the baby’s bottom, feet, or knees enter into the pelvis first, rather than its head. During the 1st and 2nd trimester, your baby will take whichever position they choose. However, as you near the end of your pregnancy, your baby will turn to a ‘headfirst’ position in readiness for labour and birth usually around 30-34 weeks of pregnancy. If this fails to happen, your baby stays in breech.
Reasons why your baby may be in the breech position:
- The amount of fluid in the womb may be too much or too little.
- The position of the placenta.
- Fibroids or growths in the womb.
- Position of the baby’s cord.
- More than one baby (twins) etc.
If your baby stays in breech then you and your health care provider will need to decide which kind of birth you will opt for – vaginal birth or caesarean section.
Caesarean Section
This is recommended when
- your baby is breech with the feet at the bottom of your womb.
- If your baby appears to be very large or very small.
- If you have a low lying placenta (where the placenta covers some or all your cervix, the neck of the womb).
- If you have pre-eclampsia (a medical condition of pregnancy characterised by high blood pressure and protein in your urine).
Vaginal Breech Birth
You will be closely monitored by your medical team as the baby may well turn as labour progresses. Your health care provider may need to ‘assist’ the baby during birth by the use of an episiotomy (a cut to enlarge the vagina) and forceps.
