What is a breech baby?
Have you recently been told that your baby is currently breech? Our resident Obstetrician, Victoria explores what is breech, and also outlines your options for birth.
What is a breech baby?
Breech is when the presenting part of the baby (the part closest to the cervix) is their bottom. The baby is lying with their bottom (or feet) coming first out of the uterus. It is very common in early pregnancy, and by 36–37 weeks, most babies turn naturally to be “cephalic”, or head-first. Towards the end of pregnancy, only 3–4 in every 100 (3–4%) babies are breech.
Variations of breech position
Breech position is further described by the position of the baby’s legs.
Flexed breech
A flexed breech means the bottom is lowest but the legs are bent at the knee.
Footling breech
A footling breech is similar, with bent legs, but the feet are lower than the bottom, so the feet are the presenting part of the baby.
Extended breech
Extended breech means that the bottom is lowest but the legs are straight, with feet up in front of the baby’s face.
Why are babies breech?
In most cases we find no answer. It is more common if the uterus is an unusual shape. Examples of these are uteruses with a a septum down the middle, or heart-shaped uteruses. It is also more common in first pregnancies. If there is too much fluid around the baby or too little, baby is more likely to be breech. If the placenta is covering the cervix then baby is also more likely to be breech. In very rare cases it is because the baby is unable to respond to the usual signaling mechanisms because there is a problem with the baby.
How will I know if my baby is breech?
If your baby is breech, this will ideally be detected during a routine midwife appointment or by ultrasound scan. Occasionally it is not detected before labour. If baby has not turned by 36 or 37 then u should be referred in to have a conversation with an obstetrician, or sometimes a specialist midwife.
What are my options if baby is breech?
Your options include:
- Having an external cephaloversion (ECV). Head here to read how successful is an ECV?
- Aiming for a vaginal breech birth
- Having a planned caesarean.
Photo Creds: @midwife_ang
