Most babies begin to rest head-down between weeks 32 and 38 (typically around week 36). Baby’s head is near your cervix, and he/she is normally facing your back in this perfect birth position.
However, not every baby in the womb makes the decision to get this normal birth position. By the time the baby reaches full term she is still hanging out head-up leading to breech position.
Now what does breech baby mean? Are there different types of breech positions?, and whether turning your baby before delivery is possible?
Continue reading to learn in detail!
Table of Contents
What Does It Mean If A Baby is Breech?
When a baby is in a breech position, his or her buttocks, feet, or both are positioned to emerge first from the vaginal opening during birth. The top of your baby’s head is closest to your chest, and the bottom of its body is closest to your vaginal opening.
Breech position is opposite to the coveted vertex presentation, which involves the baby being positioned vertically in pregnancy with her bottom up so she may leave your vaginal canal head first.
How frequent is it for a baby to be born breech? Around 3-4 percent of all pregnancies account for breech babies.
What Are The Different Types of Breech Positions?
Your baby could be in a variety of breech positions on board, including the following:
- Frank breech: It is the most frequent breech position, in which your baby’s bottom is down, legs are pointed upward, and feet are near her head.
- Complete breech: The baby is said to be a complete breech with her head up and buttocks down, as well as sitting cross-legged.
- Footling breech: In this breech position, your baby is head-up with one or both feet dangling down (she would come out feet-first if delivered vaginally).
Causes of Breech Baby
It’s not always easy to figure out what are causes of breech baby. However, a baby may arrange itself in the womb in the ‘wrong’ way for a variety of reasons, including:
- If a woman has had several pregnancies (twins or more). This makes it more difficult for each infant to find the proper posture.
- If the uterus contains too much or too little amniotic fluid, meaning the baby has not enough fluid to move around in.
- If a woman has previously had a premature delivery.
- The uterus does not have a regular shape The uterus is typically shaped like an upside-down pear. If it’s shaped differently, a full-grown baby might not be able to fit into it.
- The uterus has abnormal growths like uterine fibroids.
- The placenta covers the cervix entirely or partially (a condition called placenta previa).
- Your child was born with a congenital condition that prevents them from turning their heads down.
How Will I Know If My Baby is Breech?
Breech babies aren’t called so until they’re 35 or 36 weeks old. In most normal pregnancies, the baby will turn head-down to get into position for birth.
Before 35 weeks, it’s common for babies to be head-down or even sideways. However, when the baby grows and runs out of room, it becomes more difficult for the infant to spin and get into the proper position.
By touching your baby’s position through your tummy, your doctor will be able to tell if your baby is breech. They will almost certainly use an ultrasound in the hospital to confirm that the baby is breech before you deliver.
What Complications Can A Breech Pregnancy Have?
The majority of the time, your pregnancy is unaffected. Although there is a slightly increased risk of some birth abnormalities in breech newborns, the majority of them are born healthy.
Adding more, it’s possible that your baby’s movements have changed. Your baby’s kicks will be lower in your tummy. A firm lump around your ribs may be felt. This is the head of your child.
What about breech baby delivery complications?
Well, if you were planning on having your baby vaginally, a breech baby could throw your plans off. A vaginal delivery can be difficult and dangerous when your baby is breech.
The biggest question in this case is what is the safest way for a mother to deliver a breech baby? Before caesarean deliveries became prevalent, doctors and, more typically, midwives were taught how to properly deliver breech babies.
Breech deliveries, on the other hand, carry a higher risk of problems than vaginal deliveries. So, a scheduled C-section is the safest approach to deliver your baby in most cases.
You can learn how to manage stitches pain after C-section.
Can I Turn My Breech Pregnancy?
So, what should you do if your baby is breech? While you’ll almost certainly need to discuss a caesarean with your doctor, there are a few things you may do to try to flip your baby.
These include:
External Version (EV)
An EV is a technique in which your doctor attempts to manually turn your baby into the proper position by manipulating the baby through your stomach with their hands.
Most doctors would recommend an EV between 36 and 38 weeks of pregnancy. The procedure is carried out in a hospital. It takes two persons to conduct, and the baby will be monitored throughout for any difficulties that may need delivery.
NOTE: EVs are only successful around half of the time.
Essential Oil
Some mothers claim to have had success using essential oils to their stomachs, such as peppermint, to encourage their babies to turn on their own.
CAUTION: Always consult your doctor before using essential oils, as some of them are unsafe for pregnant women.
Inversion
Inverting one’s body to induce a breech baby to flip is another popular approach for moms with breech infants. Women employ a variety of techniques to assist raise their pelvis, including standing on their hands in a pool, propping up their hips with pillows, and even utilising the stairs.
What Are The Risks of Turning My Breech Baby?
The following are some of the dangers of turning breech baby:
- Premature birth
- The amniotic sac ruptures prematurely
- You or your baby may experience blood loss
- An emergency C-section
Because of the risk of above mentioned consequences, some healthcare providers opt not to attempt to turn a breech baby.
Outlook!
A breech baby can come as a shock and alter your conception of birthing. Talk to your doctor about what to expect if your baby is born in breech position. They can assist you in comprehending the details of a breech birth so that you and your baby remain safe. To make an appointment with the best gynaecologists near you, you can make an appointment via Healthwire.pk.
