CONTENTS
Most pregnant mothers have the fear of the position of their baby in the womb. Scientific studies and years of research and experience prove that a breech birth adds complications for natural childbirth. A breech baby is called so when the head is not down and butt and feet are facing the vaginal opening. Most babies are active and keep changing the location till the last moment of labour. If your baby is in a breech presentation at a particular moment, don’t panic, it might change with time. This post might not be able to tell you how to exactly flip a baby in breech presentation (naturally), but it will surely tell you what to expect and why not panic!
What is breech presentation?
When the fetus presents buttocks or feet first rather than head first. It has significant implications in terms of delivery – especially if it occurs at term (>37 weeks).
Some of the different types of breech birth are:
1. Footling breech
In this breech presentation, one or both the feet of the baby come out first. This is rare and usually seen in premature birth and the babies are usually taken out by cesarean.
2. Frank breech
The bottom part of the baby comes first, legs are flexed with knees near the ears. Occasionally natural childbirth is possible in this breech presentation but if needed doctors might opt for a cesarean.
3. Complete breech
This is a breech birth in crossed leg position, with feet near the vaginal opening and head up.
4. Kneeling breech
This is an extremely rare breech presentation scenario, where the baby is kneeling with one or both legs extended at the hips with knees bent. This could affect the baby’s overall development
5. Footling-frank breech
In this case, one foot is bent like a complete breech presentation, and the other is tilted like a frank breech presentation. Usually seen in early pregnancy, this position if persisted could leave the doctors with only one option – a c-section.
Some common causes of the breech babies are:
- A history of premature deliveries
- When the uterus has too much or too little amniotic fluid
- Abnormal uterus shape
- Unfeasible placenta position
- Fetal abnormalities
- Multiple gestations
- A sedentary and stressed lifestyle with increased weight gain
“After A Breech Baby, I Thought Dreams Come With An Expiry Date.”- Preeti Gandhi
A few weeks before the delivery, the doctor will check the baby’s position by feeling and touching the abdomen and uterus. If the baby is in breech presentation, the round head will be positioned on the upper part of the uterus.
A stress-free lifestyle, with regular and recommended physical exercise such as walking and Yoga, is a must. This can largely avoid breech birth as your movement would facilitate the baby to move as well. Accurate body posture habits during the appropriate period of the pregnancy will help the baby to avoid the breech presentation. Safe, natural childbirth implies a stress-free comfortable journey of pregnancy. Despite all efforts, if nothing turns out as per your expectations, don’t have hard feelings, life and emotions would change, as soon as your bundle of joy enters this world.
by Ila Asthana
