Introduction

A breech baby is one whose position is such that it is difficult to deliver the baby normally. In a normal position which is the cephalic position the baby’s head settles in a downward position enabling the baby to come out head first which is the normal method of delivery however if your baby is a breech baby he is likely to come out buttocks or feet first. In rare cases the baby might settle sideways in the uterus called as transverse lie. There are several types of breech babies such as frank breech which come out bottom first with feet near the head, complete breech which is also bottom first but legs crossed and footling breech where one or both feet are likely to come out first. By the end of the third trimester your gynecologist will be able to tell you the position of your baby. Many babies who are breech during this time suddenly turn their positions at the last moment before delivery.

Turning a Breech Baby

There are several ways of turning a breech baby especially if you want to avoid going in for an operation. Primarily start by visualizing the baby moving down in your pelvis several times a day. Secondly you can practice swimming to keep your body and pelvis loose and relaxed, if done in combination with headstand along with assistance it can prove to be very beneficial. Try massaging the abdomen either with assistance or on your own in a clockwise position with light strokes for 10 minutes daily. Breech tilt positions can be practiced daily by raising hips above shoulders in a lying down position with the support of pillows and practicing breathing and relaxing simultaneously. Try acupressure or acupuncture techniques from experts who know the points to be activated on your body to turn a breech baby. You can also practice cat stretches and pelvic tilts on your own to induce movements in your baby. External cephalic version is a technique which can be used to turn the breech position with the help of manipulating and massaging the area around the stomach using hands.

Myths associated with Breech Babies

If the baby is in a breech position it does not mean that the baby is abnormal or unhealthy. This is just the position in which the baby stays in the abdomen before delivery. Some people believe that a baby remains in a breech position until a certain time and others who believe that there is a certain time until which a baby must be in a breech position. Most of the babies are in a breech position earlier in pregnancy and eventually turn around in the normal position by the end of the pregnancy period.