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Baby Is In Breech Position, Now What?

Don't panic if baby is breech.

The baby may not stay in breech position. It is common that a baby will be breech between 27 weeks and 34 weeks of pregnancy. Most of those little nuggets will find their own way head down. Some breech babies may need a little assist to find their way head down. Often, there are many choices and opportunities to help breech babies find their way head down, and plenty of time to do it.

Know your options if baby is breech.

Your client can choose to do nothing. Many families choose to wait and see if baby turns back to head down on their own. It is okay to take this route. However, if baby does not turn head down by 36 weeks an external cephalic version (ECV) should be suggested. This is a relatively safe procedure where an OB/GYN or Midwife will use their hands to try and turn baby head down. ECV can be very comfortable to downright painful for your pregnant client. There is a 50% chance it will be successful. If you are or know of a well experienced ECV doctor your client can see, the chance can increase up to 70%. Whatever the case may be with your client, make sure they are asking ECV doctors for their success rate.
Your client may also choose to do nothing, and opt for a cesarean section. This is the most common choice of families who find out their baby is breech.

Use your BRAINN:

Whenever presenting a method of helping to turn a breech baby, run through the BRAINN acronym with your client. It is a good method to be sure they choose what is correct for them and their family. What does BRAINN mean?

B – benefit – What are the benefits? This is an easy one.

R – risk – What are the risks? Every method will have risks. There is always risk when you choose to do an intervention. Some risks are minimal, and some are a bit scarier.

A – alternative – What is the alternative? There is always an alternative if the risk outweighs the benefit for your client. Make sure you are ready to offer one.

I – intuition – Make sure your client is listening to their intuition. They should do what feels right to them.

N – next – What happens next? Typically with any intervention, there is a next step. Sometimes it is homework, sometimes it is rest, sometimes it is medication. Make sure your client knows what the procedure is for the practitioners they have chosen to work with.
N – nothing – What happens if we do nothing? Often, clients have this choice.

Let your client know it is okay to only do as much as feels right.

It is easy for your pregnant clients to feel overwhelmed. Keep in mind they are going to work, going to appointments, caring for their family, and doing breech homework, it may feel ridiculously exhausting. Make sure they are only doing what feels right for them and their baby. Let them know it is more than okay to try a therapy and decide it is not for them. Everything is not for everyone. Appointments and homework need to fit into their lifestyle. It should not feel like a chore, but a choice. With the BRM® Pro Training, YOU become the expert, equipped with a thorough understanding of their pregnant and birthing body, what it’s capable of, and the tools it will best respond to. Learn more today!

Author Bio: Adrienne C. Caldwell is a bodyworker and educator. She specializes in helping create space in the human body for baby to find their best position for labor and birth.