My Baby is Breech. What can I do?

Breech baby. What does that mean? It means that your baby is butt down in your uterus instead of head down. For a healthy vaginal birth, it is best for babies to come out head first. Although you will find a few providers across the country delivering breech babies vaginally, most providers and the standard of care is that if your baby is breech, you will receive a cesarean birth. We are Diana Health follow this standard.    Finding out that your baby is breech can be scary. You don’t have to worry, though. We are here to help you and support you. 7% of babies will be breech at 32 weeks. At term (greater than 37 weeks), that number will be reduced to between 3 or 4% remaining breech. If your baby is breech, there are steps you can take yourself to naturally encourage the baby to turn to a head down position prior to delivery. (Note that these steps are based on limited evidence, but they are also unlikely to be harmful. So they may be worth trying!)

Tip #1: Postural management 

Postural management is a technique where you lay or sit in a certain position several times a day. This repetitive posture uses gravity and Mom’s position to encourage the baby to turn on his/her own. 

Postural management guidelines

• Hold the position for 15 minutes, 3 or 4 times a day
• It’s best to do these positions on an empty stomach and bladder
• Relax as much as possible while in the position

Suggested Postural Positions

• Knee to chest— This widens the space between the symphysis pubis (joint where the 2 public bones meet) and spine, allowing more room in the pelvis for the baby to flip. For this position get on your hands and knees on a bed or comfortable surface and then lower your chest down to the bed/surface. 
• Pelvic tilt (lying on a slanted board)— Prop one end of a board (ironing board or something similar) up on the couch or sturdy chair. The raised end of the board should be around 12-18 inches off the ground. Lie on the board with your head closest to the end that is on the floor. Bend your knees and put your feet flat on the board. This will create a tilted position which backs the breech baby out of the pelvis and allows the baby to flip to head down position.

Tip #2: Stay active

Walking, lunges, squats and stairs are all great ways to keep your pelvis moving and shifting. Activity promotes widening of the pelvis at different angles to support the turning of the baby.

Tip #3: Acupuncture and moxibustion (under the supervision of a skilled clinician)

Acupuncture supports bringing energy flow back into balance through increased blood flow. By using thin needles at specific parts in the body, nerves, muscle and connective tissue can all be stimulated which encourages baby to move and turn.

Moxibustion—Moxa sticks are made from the leaves of a specific plant (artemisia argyi) and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to stimulate acupuncture sites. The moxa stick is held near the pinkie toe (NOT on it) to allow the warmth of the stick to stimulate the site.

Tip #4: Chiropractor

Webster technique—This technique, focusing on the pelvis, sacrum and surrounding muscles, is used by chiropractors to address misalignments and create more room in the pelvis.