What to Expect if Your Baby’s in the Breech Position

When you imagine labor and delivery, the usual image is a baby arriving head-first into the world. But what if your little one is stubbornly feet-first? A breech position can take many expectant parents by surprise in the final stretch of pregnancy. Though it’s not incredibly common—happening in about 1 in 25 full-term births—it can spark a flurry of questions, concerns, and tough decisions about what delivery will look like.

This guide breaks down exactly what to expect when your baby is breech. From understanding the different types of breech positions to exploring safe options for turning your baby or planning a delivery, you’ll learn what’s normal, what’s possible, and what steps may be ahead. Whether you’re weeks away from labor or just preparing for the unknown, you’ll find reassurance and real answers here.

Breech Pregnancy Details

A breech position occurs when a baby is positioned with its bottom or feet pointed down toward the birth canal instead of its head. By the 36th week of pregnancy, nearly all babies turn into a head-down position as space becomes limited in the uterus. However, around 4% of babies remain in the breech position as labor approaches. Several possible causes exist for this position, such as the shape of the uterus, fibroids, or it may happen without a clear reason.

Main Types of Breech Position

There are three main types of breech presentation, classified by how the baby is positioned in the womb. Understanding these variations can help parents and providers make informed decisions about delivery.

Complete Breech: The baby’s bottom is down, with one or both knees bent and legs crossed, creating a seated position inside the womb.
Frank Breech: The baby’s hips are bent with legs extended straight upward, so the feet are near the head and the baby is folded in half at the waist.
Footling (Incomplete) Breech: One or both of the baby’s feet or knees point downward and may be closer to the birth canal, making them the first part to emerge during labor.

Footling breech presentations can bring added risk, as the feet or knees may come out before the rest of the body. This increases the likelihood of complications such as umbilical cord prolapse, which can restrict oxygen flow to the baby. Because of these risks, healthcare providers carefully assess the type of breech position when planning a safe birth approach.

Identifying Breech Presentation

Healthcare providers can sometimes see breech position during routine ultrasounds before birth. Around the 18-20 week ultrasound, a baby may show up as breech. At this mid-pregnancy stage, the fetus still has plenty of room to move and spin. An early breech finding does not always mean the baby will remain breech.

As pregnancy progresses, doctors or midwives may suspect a breech position during routine checkups based on fetal movement and how the baby feels during a physical exam. An ultrasound confirms the baby’s exact presentation, especially close to delivery.

Managing Breech Babies Late in Pregnancy

By weeks 34-37, if the baby remains in a breech presentation, certain steps may help turn the baby. Healthcare providers may suggest:

Maternal exercises: Getting on all fours, rocking the hips, or even swimming involves gentle physical exercises that might encourage the baby to shift positions.
Sound stimulation: Playing music or a recording of the parent’s voice near the lower belly may draw the baby’s head toward the sound, which can help with positioning.

A trained doctor or midwife can perform an external cephalic version (ECV) by applying gentle but firm pressure on the outside of the belly to try to turn the baby by hand into a head-down position. They use ultrasound to safely monitor the process. Professionals only perform ECV in a careful, monitored environment because it carries some discomfort and small risks.

Some chiropractors offer the Webster technique, which aims to align the pelvic bones to provide the baby with better space to move head-down, although the evidence supporting its effectiveness is limited.

Labor and Delivery Options for Breech Births

If a breech baby does not turn before labor, the healthcare team discusses delivery plans carefully. The baby’s exact position, the mother’s health, and the presence of any problems like fetal distress, cord prolapse, or abruption influence the safest type of delivery.

Frank and complete breech presentations: In some cases, an experienced obstetrician or team may proceed with a vaginal birth. Many providers, especially in certain hospitals, recommend planned cesarean section (c-section) because of possible risks.
Footling breech: Vaginal delivery is riskier, mainly due to the higher chance of the umbilical cord slipping through the cervix before the baby (cord prolapse), which can cut off oxygen to the baby. Providers usually advise cesarean section.
Multiple pregnancies (twins): Breech presentation is more likely with twins, and doctors carefully evaluate each case to choose the safest delivery option.

Involvement of Healthcare Providers

Midwives, obstetricians, and other healthcare providers play an important role throughout a breech pregnancy. They monitor the baby’s position, guide expected parents through available options, and help form a safe and clear birth plan. Parents may use technologies like ultrasound, prepare for c-section, or attempt ECV if appropriate.

When discussing birth plans, parents often ask questions about potential risks, pain management, and recovery, especially if cesarean delivery seems likely. A qualified team informs and supports parents to help ensure the best possible outcomes for both parent and baby.

Each person’s situation may require a different approach based on medical history and preferences. Open communication with healthcare teams keeps families safe and informed in these situations.