Yes, a baby can be turned during labor. Turning a baby during labor, known as an “internal version,” is a procedure the doctor might offer if the baby is in the wrong position for delivery. Internal version is a procedure where a doctor lightly touches the mother’s abdomen and maneuvers the baby, using gentle pressure and movements, to a more favorable delivery position.
This can take up to a few minutes to complete since it needs to be done carefully. Internal version is typically done using ultrasound guidance to ensure the baby is not harmed in the process. If a doctor recommends a version, they will likely provide more information on the safety and success rates of the procedure in relation to the mother’s individual situation.
Internal version is not always successful, and in some situations, the baby will not turn even with the doctor’s assistance. If the internal version does not work, then C-section, depending on the birth plan, may become necessary.
What happens if I go into labor while baby is breech?
If you are in labor while your baby is breech, it depends on the position and station of the baby as to how your labor and delivery will be managed. Generally, if the baby is low enough in the pelvis and only slightly breech (such as frank breech or footling breech), the physician may try to turn the baby naturally (also known as external cephalic version) prior to delivery.
If the baby is in a breech position that cannot be turned (such as complete breech) or if there is something preventing a normal delivery, a cesarean section (or C-section) is usually recommended.
In some cases, if the baby is low enough in the pelvic and well-flexed, a vaginal birth is possible, but close monitoring will be necessary by the healthcare team in order to ensure a safe delivery for both you and your baby.
Regardless of the position of the baby, close monitoring of both you and your baby is necessary throughout labor and delivery. Your healthcare provider will be able to provide more specific information and an individualized plan of care based on your unique situation.
Can you dilate if baby is breech?
It is possible to try and dilate if the baby is breech, although it may not be successful. Dilation can be attempted in a variety a ways, including herbs, visualization, homeopathy, and massage. If you choose to go this route, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider first, since some of these methods may interfere with medical care.
It is also important to remember that dilation will only work if the fetus is in a vertex (head down) position and your cervix is deemed healthy enough to allow positive labor progress, which can be determined through an ultrasound.
Ultimately, the best approach to a breech baby is to speak with your health care provider and discuss your options, as there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on the position of the baby and your individual health situation, some options may include vaginal breech delivery, breech extraction, manual rotation, external cephalic version, or caesarean delivery.
Are contractions different with breech baby?
Yes, contractions are different with a breech baby than with a baby who is in a head-down position. Contractions typically begin much earlier and can be more intense with a breech baby, as the baby is trying to adjust their position to find the best position for delivery.
In some cases, the contractions might be longer or more intense than what would be expected with a head-down baby. Additionally, the position of the baby might be in an “oblique” or “transverse” position, meaning they are not in the expected head-down, feet-down position.
This can add additional complexities to the delivery, as the baby will need to adjust their position to the head-down position prior to delivery. It is not uncommon for women delivering a breech baby to be closely monitored, given the extra considerations that might be needed during delivery.
Ultimately, the care provider, in consultation with the mother, will determine the best course of action for delivery.
How does your belly feel if baby is breech?
If your baby is in a breech position, you may notice different sensations in your belly. It’s possible to feel a hard, round lump near the top of your uterus that doesn’t move when you press on it. This could be your baby’s head that’s positioned low near the cervix.
You might also be able to feel the baby’s bottom, which can make your belly feel harder than usual. You may also notice extra pressure and discomfort around your pelvis or on one side of your belly. Pain in the legs, groin, or lower back can also be signs of an unborn baby in a breech position.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about baby’s position.
How should you sleep with a breech baby?
If you’re pregnant with a breech baby, it’s important to take extra precautions during your third trimester. It’s recommended to avoid activities that could potentially cause harm to the baby or increase the chance of the baby turning into a breech presentation.
That includes activities like strenuous exercise, long trips and sexual intercourse.
It’s also important to sleep in a position that is safe for your baby. This means sleeping on your side, preferably on your left side. This can help improve the amount of nutrients and oxygen that get to your baby by increasing the space around the placenta and reducing the risk of restricted blood flow.
Avoid sleeping on your back as this can place too much pressure on your uterus, which can have a negative effect on your baby.
Using body pillows and wedge cushions can also help create a more comfortable sleeping environment and to provide support. It’s important to keep in mind that your comfort matters too. If you can’t find a way to comfortably sleep on your side, you should find other ways to support yourself while in bed.
Overall, it’s important to stay mindful of the position of your baby. If the baby is suspected to be in a breech position, speak to your doctor or an obstetrician about safe sleep and pregnancy positions that can reduce the risk of any harm to your baby.
How can you tell if breech baby is engaged?
Confirming whether a baby is engaged is typically done during a physical check-up by your doctor or midwife. The examiner will assess the presenting part of the baby, usually the head or bottom, to determine its position and whether it is engaged.
During the examination, the examiner often checks the level of the baby’s head or bottom, the amount of soft tissues (pelvic floor and abdomen muscles) in the area and the position of the baby relative to the cervix.
In particular, if you are being examined for a breech baby, the examiner may be able to feel the baby’s spine (which is just to the side of the uterus) and the position of the baby’s head as it drops into the pelvis.
If the baby is engaged, then it is low enough in the birth canal for the head or bottom to reach the opening of the cervix.
In some cases, your doctor or midwife may use ultrasound technology to confirm the engagement of a breech baby. The scan can provide a clearer picture of the baby’s position inside the pelvis and whether the baby’s head or bottom is passing through the cervix.
If a baby is not engaged, it will appear much higher in the pelvis than if it is engaged.
Overall, while it is possible to tell if a breech baby is engaged during a physical examination or with an ultrasound, it is important to remember that a baby may become engaged at any time during labor and delivery, even if it was not engaged at an earlier check-up.
How can I encourage my breech baby to turn?
If your baby is in a breech position, it is important to talk to your doctor or midwife to find the best way to encourage them to turn in order to be in a heads-down position before labor. Generally, there are two approaches to help encourage a breech baby to turn:
1. External Cephalic Version (ECV): This technique is performed by a medical professional, where they will try to manually turn the baby into a head-down position. ECV is typically performed between 33-37 weeks of pregnancy, and can be offered even if the baby is already engaged.
2. Exercise: Doing certain exercises can help encourage baby to turn into a head-down position by stimulating the uterine muscles. Examples of some of the exercises are riding a bike, marching in place, doing squats, and swimming.
As a reminder, it is important to check with your doctor or midwife before doing any exercise.
Some natural techniques to encourage baby to turn also include moxibustion and chiropractic treatments. Moxibustion is an ancient Chinese practice and involves the burning of an herb called moxa on or near the little toe to stimulate an acupuncture point.
Chiropractic techniques including the Webster Technique may help restore balance in the pelvis and can be used to help reposition a malpositioned baby.
It is important to note that it is not always possible to turn a breech baby. Many babies will turn on their own even in the last few weeks of pregnancy, so it may be worth waiting to see if baby will turn on their own.
If the baby does not turn naturally, the doctor or midwife will advise the best approach, which may include ECV or a C-section.
What it feels like when a breech baby turns?
When a baby is in a breech position and turns to be in the proper position for birth, it can be an amazing moment for both the parent and medical staff involved. The feeling of relief that the baby has shifted and is no longer in a position that will affect the birth process can be overwhelming.
Some people say that, in that moment, you can feel the baby’s energy pushing them to turn and the incredible power of a baby’s body.
When a baby turns in the womb, it is often a sudden, swift movement that can be felt by both parent and medical staff. Parents may find themselves riding a wave of fear and uncertainty as they wait to find out if the baby has changed position.
Other reports have shared that the baby’s movements feel like gentle kicks and pushes as they exert their strength to try to properly align in the uterus.
The overall feeling that comes with a baby’s successful turn can be difficult to describe. It can evoke emotions ranging from relief to joy and love. It can be overwhelming, yet magical, and a moment many people will treasure for years to come.
Regardless of whether or not the baby was able to turn properly, parents will be in awe of the strength and will of their growing baby.
When should you worry if baby is breech?
If your baby is breech at 32 to 34 weeks, your doctor may recommend something called an External Cephalic Version (ECV) to attempt to turn the baby head down. An ECV is a procedure in which your doctor applies pressure to your belly in the hopes of turning the baby head down.
Afterward, your doctor will usually monitor your baby to make sure he is in the correct position.
If your baby remains breech after your doctor has attempted an ECV, you should worry if you are close to your due date. If your baby is breech near or after your due date, your doctor may recommend a cesarean delivery.
It is important to note, however, that many babies will move into the preferred head-down position in the days or weeks leading up to delivery. You should talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your baby’s position.
What percentage of breech babies turn before birth?
It is estimated that around 3-4% of pregnancies at full-term result in a baby being breech, meaning they are not in the correct head-down position in the womb. Of these babies that are breech, the majority tend to turn in the late stages of pregnancy.
It is estimated that up to 75-90% of breech babies will turn before labour starts, with approximately 25-50% turning before 36 weeks gestation.
It is important to remember that not all breech babies will turn before birth. In some cases, a woman may choose to have a Cesarean section if her baby remains in the breech position. However, even when choosing to have a Cesarean due to a breech baby, it is possible that the baby turns at the last minute and is born vaginally instead.
Overall, the percentage of breech babies that turn before birth depends on the individual. It is recommended to discuss the potential risks and benefits of both a vaginal birth and a Cesarean if the baby remains in the breech position with your healthcare provider.
They can help advise which option is best for you and your baby.
How late can breech babies turn?
Breech babies can turn into normal presentation – head first – up until the end of pregnancy. The ideal time for a baby to turn into the head-down position is generally considered to be between 32-37 weeks gestation.
After 37 weeks it becomes increasingly difficult for a baby to turn, as the uterus is cramped and the baby is often too large. In most cases, if a baby has not turned into the head down position by 36-37 weeks, the case is considered a breech presentation.
It is still possible for the baby to turn after this time, but it is much less common. In some cases, a baby may turn up until the labor begins, though this is considered a rare occurrence. If a baby is still in a breech position when labor begins, the doctor will most likely suggest a Cesarean section.
Are contractions more painful if baby is breech?
The experience of labor and delivery depends on many factors, and one of these is the position of the baby. When a baby is in a breech position (with their feet or bottom down), it can lead to a longer and more challenging labor.
During this type of labor, contractions may become more intense, which can lead to more pain for the mother.
It is important to note, however, that this may not be true for all breech deliveries. Some mothers who deliver their babies in a breech position report having contractions that are just as intense as in a head-down (vertex) position.
But, in general, it is believed that a breech delivery can put more strain on the pelvis and that this can lead to more intense contractions and, consequently, more pain.
The most important thing is to reach out to your healthcare provider if you have concerns or questions, and they will be able to provide the best advice on how to manage the labor and delivery, considering your individual situation.
What is the safest way to deliver a breech baby?
The safest way to deliver a breech baby is via Cesarean section (C-section). This involves a surgical procedure where the baby is removed through an incision made in the mother’s uterus and abdominal wall.
With a C-section, the baby is protected from any potential complications associated with being born feet or bottom first. It also minimizes the risk of birth trauma and significantly reduces the chance of umbilical cord prolapse and compression.
In some cases, a physician may attempt a vaginal delivery, but this carries more risk than a C-section and has a higher rate of complications. Women who choose to attempt a vaginal delivery will be continuously monitored during labour.
If the baby fails to rotate, is too large, or there are any other signs of distress, the doctor may opt to perform a C-section.
Throughout the delivery, the health of both the baby and mother must be continually monitored. The safest course of action is to always have a skilled medical team present who can assist the mother and baby in the safest and most effective way possible.
Are breech babies more likely to be stillborn?
When it comes to a baby’s presentation during labor and delivery, the position of the baby plays an important role in the outcome. Typically, when a woman is pregnant, the baby positions itself with its head down in the uterus, which is known as the cephalic presentation.
In some cases, the baby may be positioned sideways, or with its feet or bottom first; this is referred to as the breech presentation.
When a baby is in a breech presentation during the labor and delivery process, there is an increased risk of stillbirth, or baby death before or during the delivery. In fact, it is estimated that the risk of stillbirth is nearly twice as high in breech presentations than it is in cephalic presentations.
While the rate of stillbirth is still relatively low— approximately 1 in 200 breech babies compared to 1 in 1000 cephalic babies— the risk of stillbirth is significantly higher for a breech birth.
Not only is the risk of stillbirth increased for breech babies, but the overall rate of complications, such as neurological complications like cerebral palsy and shoulder dystocia, are also increased.
In order to minimize the risks of complications and stillbirth, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that all baby’s positions be checked near the end of pregnancy and that any baby found in a breech presentation should be delivered by cesarean section as soon as possible.
Despite these efforts, the rate of stillbirth in breech births remains slightly higher than with cephalic births.