Many women wish to have a natural birth, while others are afraid. Many also do not know how to act when the baby is not in the most common position and end up hearing about breech birth. It is not uncommon to hear stories about breech deliveries, about what is good or bad for you, and various other myths that people carry with them. But besides all these stories, what actually causes this type of delivery and does it pose risks for the baby? To find this out, let’s delve a little deeper into each of these aspects.

What is Breech Birth?

A breech birth is simply a birth where the baby is in the breech position, that is, sitting inside the uterus. It is extremely common that, from the seventh month of pregnancy onwards, the fetus grows more quickly and the baby starts to turn head down, getting into the cephalic position, which is head down. This is the position that about 90% of babies adopt, so breech birth is considered so rare and at the same time so unfamiliar to many people. In breech birth, the baby’s hips come out first, and finally, its head. Breech birth is considered one of the most challenging types of delivery for the mother, precisely because it is so rare and unknown to many, which causes some fear regarding the risks it actually carries. But it is always important to know that, when there is a medical team prepared for this situation, this type of birth can be performed with calm and without posing many risks.

What Causes Breech Birth?

It is not known exactly why some babies simply do not turn to the cephalic position a few weeks before delivery. Still, there are some studies that suggest that the cause may be related to poor adaptation of the baby to the uterus, which does not necessarily mean that there is any physical problem. There are also studies showing that genetic factors may also influence whether a breech birth occurs.

Risks of Breech Birth

For a long time, saying that breech birth is a dangerous type of delivery and not highly recommended was a consensus among doctors, but this is something that has been changing over time with new research coming out. It is now known that breech birth can occur in a calm and safe way, as long as there is a skilled team prepared for this type of procedure. But, even though this type of delivery is faster than when a baby is in the cephalic position, it’s clear that there are some risks involved. Among the complications that can occur, respiratory issues are the most common. Still, it’s important to remember that complications and risks can occur with all types of vaginal births and with cesarean section as well.

How to Make the Baby Turn?

Many questions arise during pregnancy, for example, how to know if the baby is engaged or at how many months the baby turns to the cephalic position. If a woman notices that her baby is in the breech position and wants him to turn to cephalic, there are some techniques that can be done, with the doctor’s supervision, to try to get the baby in the desired position.

Exercises to Make the Baby Turn

Most exercises done to help turn the baby consist of trying to give the baby more space inside the uterus and making him “realize” that it’s possible to turn head down. To perform this type of exercise, a woman should wear suitable and comfortable clothes, that do not make the belly uncomfortable especially.

External Cephalic Version

Also known as ECV, the external cephalic version is a maneuver that consists of types of massages performed by a specialist that induce the baby to turn head down in the uterus. Before performing this maneuver, some procedures are done first, such as tests to check the baby’s true position. After that, the woman is inclined in a certain position while the specialist performs the maneuver, always monitoring the baby’s heart rate during the process. There are risks involved when a woman chooses to have the external cephalic version, so this is a topic that must be thoroughly discussed with the doctor before making a decision.

When is a Cesarean Necessary?

When the option to have a cesarean arises either out of fear of problems with breech birth or sheer lack of information, it is necessary that there be a conversation between the woman and the doctor to decide what is the best way to have the baby, always considering the short- and long-term complications that each type of delivery may bring. That is why only a doctor can say that a cesarean is truly necessary. The lack of information about the types of delivery and the risks of each often leads mothers to despair, especially first-timers. But it is always important to research and understand situations such as breech birth, which may seem scary at first, but are easy to handle and, when taken seriously, are not necessarily a problem in the mother’s life. It doesn’t matter which type of birth you want, what matters the most is always being careful, having good monitoring with a specialist doctor and always being informed about what is and what isn’t true on the topic. That way, you can feel calmer and, consequently, your pregnancy will be more peaceful as well. See Also: My Experience with Birth Recovery Photo: Medical Prudens