A breech baby

Breech presentation is when a baby’s bottom or feet are lying at the base of the womb. 

Breech presentation happens in 3-4% of pregnancies.  Many babies will be breech throughout pregnancy, but the majority will turn to be head down by 36-37 weeks.

There are a few reasons which may contribute to why your baby is in the breech position:

• If you have too much fluid or too little fluid around the baby
• If this is your first pregnancy
• If you have a multiple pregnancy
• If your placenta is low lying in the womb
• In rare cases where the baby has a congenital condition

At 36-37 weeks, if your baby is breech you will be offered an External Cephalic Version (ECV). This is when a doctor attempts to turn your baby into a head down position by placing pressure on your abdomen. This can feel uncomfortable and you are able to ask the doctor to stop at any time if you do not wish to continue.  Before this is done the baby will be monitored to check fetal wellbeing, you’ll have a bedside scan to check baby is still breech and you’ll have your observations taken.  You will be given an injection to help relax your uterus to make the manoeuvre easier. The medication can increase your heart rate and make you feel flushed.   After the ECV another scan will be carried out to check if the procedure has been successful and your baby will be monitored to check their wellbeing. ECV is successful in 50% of cases.  If the ECV is unsuccessful, you will be offered a second one at a later date.

If you feel that an ECV isn’t the right path for you or it has been unsuccessful, then you will have the option of either having a planned caesarean section or a vaginal breech birth.