Why breech baby

Medically Reviewed by Sarah Obican, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. Getty Images. The road out only leads one way — but sometimes a baby's headed in the wrong direction. Back to Top.

In This Article. Continue Reading Below. Recommended Reading. Having a C-Section Cesarean Section. Cervical Dilation and Effacement. View Sources. Mayo Clinic, Fetal presentation before birth , August Michigan Medicine, Breech position and breech birth , May National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Maternal and paternal contribution to intergenerational recurrence of breech delivery: population based cohort study , April National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, A population-based case-control study of risk factors for breech presentation , January Pregnancy Groups.

Vaginal Birth. If you plan a caesarean and then go into labour before the operation, your obstetrician will assess whether it's safe to proceed with the caesarean delivery. If the baby is close to being born, it may be safer for you to have a vaginal breech birth. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists RCOG website has more information on what to expect if your baby is still breech at the end of pregnancy.

If your baby is lying sideways across the womb, they are in the transverse position. Although many babies lie sideways early on in pregnancy, most turn themselves into the head-down position by the final trimester. Depending on how many weeks pregnant you are when your baby is in a transverse position, you may be admitted to hospital. This is because of the very small risk of the umbilical cord coming out of your womb before your baby is born cord prolapse. If this happens, it's a medical emergency and the baby must be delivered very quickly.

Sometimes, it's possible to manually turn the baby to a head-down position, and you may be offered this. But, if your baby is still in the transverse position when you approach your due date or by the time labour begins, you'll most likely be advised to have a caesarean section. So what should you do if you have a breech pregnancy? While you will most likely have to talk with your doctor about scheduling a cesarean, there are also ways you can try to turn your baby.

An EV is a procedure in which your doctor will try to manually turn your baby into the correct position by manipulating the baby with their hands through your stomach. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists , most doctors will suggest an EV between 36 and 38 weeks of pregnancy. The procedure is usually performed in the hospital. It requires two people to perform and the baby will be monitored the entire time for any complications that might require delivering the baby.

Some mothers claim to have had success using an essential oil, like peppermint, on their stomachs to stimulate the baby to turn on its own. As always, however, check with your doctor before using essential oils, as some are not safe for pregnant women. Another popular method for women with breech babies is inverting their bodies to encourage the baby to flip.

Women use different methods, like standing on their hands in a swimming pool, propping up their hips with pillows, or even using the stairs to help elevate their pelvis. Your doctor will probably be the one to let you know if your baby is breech. There are some natural ways to induce labor. If your due date is here, read this and talk to your doctor about what's right for you. Here's why it happens and how to find relief. Weeks 28 through 40 bring the arrival of the third trimester. The third trimester can be both physically and emotionally challenging for a pregnant woman.

Learn what to expect during the final months before…. By the second trimester of your pregnancy, you should be feeling better than you did in the first trimester. However, every pregnancy is different….