

The most common cause of breech baby position is the presence of an embryo. The underlying problem is often a sign that the baby’s uterus and spine are healthy.īeing born breech is a common birth condition. It is only an abnormality, and is not a sign of weakness. The baby’s position does not affect its health. It is a common birth condition so there is no reason to panic. The most common sign of a breech infant is pain.

This can be a very frightening situation, but the benefits can be overwhelming. The baby will be more vulnerable than a full-term baby. The biggest disadvantage of being breech is the potential for a traumatic birth. There are many benefits to being breech, including improved health and safety for the baby. This is a rare and challenging birth condition, but it can have great benefits. Some mothers have even chosen to have the baby born breech. If the baby is breech, it will present itself “bum first” with both legs raised. This can make it more difficult for the baby to get out. The baby might only be able to get out with one foot or may be bent toward the stomach. This is because the baby will be able to come out feet first instead of head first. Most mothers are happy to have their baby, and they will have a better chance of survival.īreech birth is a common birth condition. Preterm babies can be more difficult to deliver than full-term babies. This birth position is preferred by some women because it is more comfortable than other. Many reasons are why babies are born this way.

It has been known for thousands of years that being born breech is not an accident. This is a common way for parents to give their babies a chance to live. Although it is common for babies to be born in this manner, it is not healthy for the baby. This is the most common way that babies are born. It occurs when the head and body of the baby are inverted in the womb. Sometimes, it's possible to manually turn the baby to a head-down position, and you may be offered this.īut, if your baby is still in the transverse position when you approach your due date or by the time labour begins, you'll most likely be advised to have a caesarean section.Being born breech is a common birth abnormality. This is because of the very small risk of the umbilical cord coming out of your womb before your baby is born (cord prolapse). If this happens, it's a medical emergency and the baby must be delivered very quickly. Giving birth to a transverse babyĭepending on how many weeks pregnant you are when your baby is in a transverse position, you may be admitted to hospital. Although many babies lie sideways early on in pregnancy, most turn themselves into the head-down position by the final trimester. If your baby is lying sideways across the womb, they are in the transverse position.

you have a low-lying placenta (placenta praevia).your baby is in a certain position – for example, their neck is very tilted back, which can make delivery of the head more difficult.your baby is larger or smaller than average – your healthcare team will discuss this with you.your baby's feet are below its bottom – known as a "footling breech".The RCOG advises against a vaginal breech delivery if: The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) website has more information on what to expect if your baby is still breech at the end of pregnancy. If the baby is close to being born, it may be safer for you to have a vaginal breech birth. If you plan a caesarean and then go into labour before the operation, your obstetrician will assess whether it's safe to proceed with the caesarean delivery. If an ECV does not work, you'll need to discuss your options for a vaginal birth or caesarean section with your midwife and obstetrician. It's a safe procedure, although it can be a bit uncomfortable. Around 50% of breech babies can be turned using ECV, allowing a vaginal birth. This is when a healthcare professional, such as an obstetrician, tries to turn the baby into a head-down position by applying pressure on your abdomen. If your baby is in a breech position at 36 weeks, you'll usually be offered an external cephalic version (ECV). If your baby is lying bottom or feet first, they are in the breech position. If they're still breech at around 36 weeks' gestation, the obstetrician and midwife will discuss your options for a safe delivery. bottom first or feet first (breech position).However, that does not always happen, and a baby may be: Babies often twist and turn during pregnancy, but most will have moved into the head-down (also known as head-first) position by the time labour begins.
