BY: HACKNEYDOULA.CO.UK

Information About Breech Baby

Baby is breech – what to do?

At term (37-42 weeks) only 3% of babies are breech. Take heart, if you are waiting for your baby to turn before 37 weeks it is most likely he will! You might want to start thinking about how you can encourage him to shift if you are approaching term though. However close to delivery you are Spinning Babies is always worth a look to see what you can do to optimize your little one’s presentation.

What might my midwife or doctor suggest?

If the breech is confirmed you will most likely be offered External Cephalic Version (ECV). This is when a doctor manipulates your bump from the outside to try and manually turn the baby. You’ll want to find out the success rate of your particular doctor as they can vary wildly from 30-80% and it’s worth making sure you have the most experienced practitioner possible.

What might my midwife or doctor suggest?

You can ask for someone else if you aren’t happy with the first suggestion. Do also ask about whether they will give you any medication to relax your uterus and make the procedure less painful. There’s evidence that this improves the success rate.

What are my options if my baby stays breech?

The options you are presented with will depend on the type of breech presentation, your specific history, the attitude of your doctor and your hospital’s policy. It’s worth therefore being well versed in the facts, options and opinions yourself so you can make an informed choice.

You’ll almost certainly be offered an elective caesarean and you will be strongly encouraged to accept this for more challenging breech presentations or if you have other complications. Most breeches are now born by caesarean and midwives skilled in vaginal breech delivery are becoming more scarce. Requesting a vaginal delivery is therefore sometimes a bit of a fight.

What are my options if my baby stays breech?