Dr. Carolanne Kondos discusses different breech positions, signs to look for, and how to turn a breech baby—including safe, at-home techniques.
TL;DR: Most babies flip head-down before birth, but 3–4% remain breech at full term. While breech positioning can feel stressful, most breech newborns are healthy, and your provider has safe ways to manage it. In this blog, you’ll learn:
- What a breech baby is: Positioned bottom-first or feet-first instead of head-first.
- Types of breech babies: Frank (buttocks down, legs up), complete (cross-legged), footling (feet down), and transverse lie (sideways).
- Causes of breech baby: Risk factors include pregnancy with twins or multiples, too much/too little amniotic fluid, unique uterine shape or fibroids, placenta previa, preterm birth, and rarely, fetal anomalies.
- Signs of baby turning breech: Shifts in where you feel kicks, belly shape changes, or change in pelvic pressure.
- How to turn a breech baby: Options include external cephalic version (ECV), safe at-home techniques, and cesarean delivery if methods are unsuccessful.
Hearing your baby is in a breech position can feel overwhelming. The good news is that most breech newborns are healthy, and your care team has safe ways to support you. Let’s break down what a breech baby is, why it happens, and what your options are.
What Is a Breech Baby?
A breech baby is positioned bottom-first or feet-first instead of head-first. This most commonly occurs earlier in pregnancy. By 36 or 37 weeks, most babies flip head-down on their own. Only between 3% to 4% of all full-term babies remain breech at delivery.
There are several types of breech babies:
- Frank breech: Buttocks down, legs straight up toward the head. This is the most common position for breech babies.
- Complete breech: Buttocks down, legs bent cross-legged.
- Footling breech: One or both feet point downward into the birth canal.
- Transverse lie: Baby is sideways–not technically breech, but also not head-down.
Causes of a Breech Baby
Most of the time, breech position happens for no clear reason. Still, certain risk factors make it more likely, including:
- Previous pregnancies
- Twins or multiples
- Too much or too little amniotic fluid
- Abnormally shaped uterus or uterine fibroids
- Placenta previa (placenta covers the cervix)
- Preterm delivery
- Rarely, a fetal anomaly
It’s important to remember that you didn’t cause this. These factors are out of your control.
Symptoms of a Breech Baby Turning
Signs that your baby may have turned head-down include:
- Feeling kicks higher up in your ribs (instead of low in the pelvis)
- A change in belly shape or more pressure lower in your pelvis
- Noticing hiccups or smaller movements lower in your belly
Your provider can confirm the position with an exam or ultrasound.
How to Flip a Breech Baby
If your baby stays breech past 36 weeks, your OB may discuss one of several options for flipping your baby. These include:
- External Cephalic Version (ECV). A procedure where your doctor uses their hands on your abdomen to gently turn the baby to a head-down position. It’s done in the hospital around 37 weeks and is successful about half the time. Talk to your provider to determine if this is an option for your individual pregnancy.
- At-home techniques. Some parents try positions like lying with their hips elevated, spending time on their hands and knees, or gentle stretching. These methods are generally safe but not guaranteed. Always check with your provider before attempting at-home techniques.
- Cesarean delivery. If the baby doesn’t turn or ECV isn’t possible, a planned C-section is the safest delivery method.
A breech position near the end of pregnancy can feel stressful, but remember that most breech newborns are healthy. Your provider at VPFW will help you choose the safest plan for delivery.
Count On VPFW for Your Pregnancy and Prenatal Care
At VPFW, we have a team of experienced OB/GYNs ready to support you through every surprise and challenge of pregnancy. Stay positive. You’ve got this, and we’ve got you covered!
Learn more about how we can help keep you and your baby healthy through delivery and beyond.
