What Makes a Baby Breech?

A baby who is getting close to the time of birth will normally postion itself vertically in the mother's womb, known as the vertex position. If this repositioning does not happen, the baby is considered to be breech. The umbilical cord may be compromised in this position and as such, the death rate for breech babies is four times higher than that of babies in the vertex position.

  1. Why Does a Baby Become Breech?

    • No one knows for sure why a baby becomes breech, but there are several possible variables that make a breech position more likely. A breech situation is more likely to occur in women who are carrying more than one baby, who have given birth prematurely in the past, who have given birth previously, or who are suffering from placenta previa. The state of the uterus may also be a factor; if there is too much or not enough amniotic fluid, if the uterus is an unusual shape, or if fibroids are present, the baby may have difficulty turning.

    Types of Breech

    • There are three types of breech positions. Frank breech refers to a baby whose bottom is facing the birth canal but the feet are up. Complete breech means the bottom is down, the knees are bent and the feet are by the bottom. The footling breech position is when the baby's feet are down near the birth canal, and would emerge first during a vaginal birth.

    What Can the Mother Do?

    • A mother-to-be can try a few techniques to encourage the baby to turn. They may not work, but the do not pose any risk to the baby. An exercise called the breech tilt may help; lie down, raise the hips 12 inches off the floor and use pillows as support; remain in this position for 10 to 15 minutes three times a day. Music may also help; placing earphones on the lower portion of the belly may encourage the baby to try and get closer to the sound, and thus out of the breech position.

    What Can the Doctor Do?

    • A doctor can usually help with a breech position by performing a procedure known as the external version. Drugs to relax the uterus are given during an ultrasound, and the doctor gently pushes the lower portion of the belly, thus repositioning the baby. A chiropractor can also help by using the Webster Breech Technique, a procedure to release stress in the woman's pelvic area, causing the uterus and related ligaments to relax. The baby can then turn normally.

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