5 Things to Do to Turn Your Breech Baby
Babies come in all different shapes, sizes—and positions!
A baby in breech position has their bottom (“rump”) or feet positioned to be born first instead of their head. While most babies naturally settle into a head-down position by the end of pregnancy, some babies remain in a breech presentation as it nears the time for birth.
There are many reasons families may want to encourage a breech baby to turn head-down before delivery, but that’s a blog for another day.
Let’s explore tools and techniques to encourage a baby to move into a head-down position!
Spinning Babies Techniques: Developed by Midwife Gail Tully, Spinning Babies is a series of exercises and positions designed to optimize fetal positioning. Techniques such as the Forward-Leaning Inversion, the Sidelying Release, and the Breech Tilt can help encourage a breech baby to turn head-down naturally. These exercises focus on releasing tension in the pelvis and creating more space for the baby to maneuver.
Chiropractic Care: Chiropractors trained in prenatal care may use gentle adjustments to help align the mother's pelvis and sacrum, potentially creating more space for the baby to move into a head-down position. Techniques such as the Webster Technique focus on restoring balance to the pelvis and may be beneficial for encouraging optimal fetal positioning. You can see a list of chiropractors in our area on our Resources Directory.
Pelvic Floor Release: Pelvic Floor Therapists trained in pelvic myofascial release therapy can use a combination of inversions and hands-on techniques to decrease tightness in the pelvis to allow for more space for baby to maneuver into a head-down position. Sujata Martin with Pelvic Soul is a pelvic floor therapist who offers this service in our area.
Acupuncture: Traditional Chinese Medicine offers acupuncture as an alternative therapy to promote fetal movement. Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. Some studies suggest that this therapy may increase the likelihood of a breech baby turning head-down. See some local Acupuncture practices on our Resources Directory.
External Cephalic Version (ECV): ECV is a procedure performed by healthcare providers, usually in a hospital, to manually rotate the baby into a head-down position. It's typically done after 37 weeks of gestation and involves applying pressure on the mother's abdomen to coax the baby into the desired position. ECV is generally safe when performed by experienced professionals and under close monitoring.
Navigating the Journey with Compassion and Patience
While these techniques offer promising avenues for encouraging a breech baby to flip head-down, it's essential to approach the process with compassion and patience. Every pregnancy is unique, and what works for one individual may not necessarily work for another.
Ultimately, the goal is to support families in making informed decisions about their care while prioritizing the well-being of both mom and baby. Whether through medical interventions, alternative therapies, or a combination of approaches, empowering parents to learn about the options that may be available can help them navigate the journey of childbirth with confidence and peace of mind.
It’s your birth, you have options!
