Breech Presentation

Checking for breech presentation

Your doctor can tell that your baby is in a breech presentation by gently pressing on your belly. If after about 36 weeks your baby still isn’t head-first, you may have a test called an ultrasound. This test uses sound waves to form an image of your baby on a screen.

Types of breech presentations

As you get close to your due date, your baby may be in one of these breech positions:

• Frank breech. The baby's buttocks are closest to the birth canal. The hips are flexed, and the legs are straight up in front of the body. The feet are near the baby's head.

• Complete breech. The baby's knees are bent, and the feet and buttocks are closest to the birth canal.

• Incomplete breech. One or both of the baby's feet are closest to the birth canal.

Delivering your baby

Even if the baby’s position can’t be changed, a breech baby can sometimes be born vaginally. But this is rare. Your doctor will talk with you about the risks. More often, a surgical delivery (cesarean section or C-section) is done. You will have medicine to block pain (anesthesia). But you may stay awake and alert. You will have an ultrasound at the hospital to confirm the position of your baby (the fetus) just before the surgery.

After you deliver

Whether you give birth vaginally or by C-section, you and your baby will most likely be fine. Just because your baby is in a breech position doesn’t mean that they will have health problems.

Can you have a vaginal delivery?

In some cases, your doctor may try to turn the baby head-down by putting pressure on your belly. This method is called an external cephalic version. It is usually tried after 36 weeks. If this works, you might be able to have a vaginal delivery. Your doctor will talk about this with you.

Note: External cephalic version cannot be done after active labor has started.