Breech Babies: What Can I Do if My Baby is Breech?
What is a breech birth?
Right before birth, most babies are in a head-down position in the mother’s uterus, which is why most babies are born head-first. Sometimes the baby is in a bottom-first (or feet-first) position. When a baby is in that position before birth, it’s called a breech birth or breech baby. Many babies are breech early in pregnancy, but most of them turn to the headfirst position near the end of the pregnancy. Babies that are born early are more likely to be breech. If more than one baby is in the uterus at a time, one or more of the babies may be breech. Abnormal levels of amniotic fluid around the baby may result in a breech birth. As you get closer to your due date, your doctor will be able to tell (by physical exam, ultrasound or both) if your baby is breech.
Ways to Turn a Breech BabyThere are many ways to try to encourage a breech baby to turn. The following is a list of non-invasive, non-painful, benign suggestions. It does not hurt to try - not trying and winding up with a Cesarean Section will hurt!1. Knee to Chest Position
In one study of 71 breech babies, 65 turned when their mother adopted the knee-chest position. To do this, kneel with your hips flexed at slightly more than 90 degrees (but do not let your thigh press against your abdomen) and try to keep your head, shoulders, and upper chest flat on your mattress. Maintain the position for 15 minutes every two waking hours for five consecutive days. By positioning your body so your head is lower, gravity encourages the baby’s head to “float” toward your fundus, flex her chin onto her chest and start to turn under. As pressure builds on the back of the back of the baby’s head, she gradually rotates first into transverse, then all the way to vertex.2. Breech Tilts
Do when you have an empty stomach and times when the baby is active. Concentrate on the baby, avoid tensing the body (especially the abdomen). Lie on your back with your hips elevated 12″ (use pillows) and your hips and knees flexed. Gently roll through 180 degrees from side to side for 15 minutes and repeat this maneuver three times a day.
3. Pelvic Rocking
To do pelvic rocking get down on your hands and knees and gently tilt your pelvis as you arch your back, then return your back to a flat position and relax your pelvis. Do thirty to forty of these 3 times every day.
4. Ironing Board
Elevate the pelvis by laying on a board or ironing board that has been propped up onto the edge of a couch - MAKE SURE IT IS STABLE! This position should be assumed for 8 to 10 minutes daily. This position has been shown to be as successful as an external version in some studies.
5. Massage with External Stimulation
Give the mom a full rocking massage - it relaxes the whole body and is essential for the mom to feel the space for the baby to turn. Then, place pillows under her knees, tilt her slightly with a rolled up towel on the right side. Touch the baby (mom’s belly, talk to the baby and rotate hands in the direction that they want to go). Have total faith and it will turn.
http://www.beautiful-births.com/content/resources/breech.html
Tags: , amniotic fluid, birth, breech, breech birth, breech tilts, chest, chin, external stimulation, external version, fundus, ironing board, kneel, knees, massage, pelvic, rocking, uterus
