Breech Birth: Care Instructions

Your Care Instructions

During most of your pregnancy, your baby has plenty of room to move around. Close to birth, there is not much room left. As birth gets close, most babies settle into a head-down position. When a baby's rear end (buttocks) or feet are down near the birth canal (vagina), it is called a breech position. Most breech babies are healthy. Most don't have problems after birth.

You probably can't tell that your baby is breech. Your doctor may have told you about your baby's position during a visit. You may have had an ultrasound test to show that your baby is breech.

Your doctor may give you exercises to do at home. These may help move your baby into the right position. If they don't, your doctor may try to turn your baby. Your doctor will use his or her hands to press certain parts of your belly. This often can work to move the baby. Before and after, you will have a test to make sure that your baby's heart is beating as it should.

If your baby turns the right way, your doctor will check you often. This is to make sure that the baby stays head-down until labor starts. You may then be able to have a vaginal delivery.

If your baby is breech when your labor starts, you are likely to have surgery to deliver the baby. This is called a cesarean section (C-section). While some breech babies are delivered through a vaginal birth, this may slightly increase health risks to the baby and the mother. Discuss the risks and benefits of a vaginal breech delivery with your doctor.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Have regular checkups all through your pregnancy. This will help you know your baby's position before you go into labor.
• Ask your doctor about special exercises that may help to turn your baby into the normal birth position. If your doctor recommends these exercises, do them as your doctor tells you to.