Babies lying bottom first or feet first in the uterus (womb) instead of in the usual head-first position are called breech babies. The breech is very common in early pregnancy, and by 36–37 weeks of pregnancy, most babies turn naturally into the head-first position.

Towards the end of pregnancy, 3–4% of babies are in the breech position.

 

Usually, a breech position is just due to chance. However, there might be some factors which favor a breech position:

• Increased (or decreased) amount of amniotic fluid

• Low-lying placental position (also known as placenta praevia)

• Twins

 

If the baby is breech at 36 weeks of pregnancy, delivery options have to be discussed. These include:

 

• External cephalic version (ECV): trying to turn baby’s position into the head-first position. This option is available only in some specialized hospitals. Immediately after ECV, there is a 1 in 200 chance of you needing an emergency cesarean section because of bleeding from the placenta and/or changes in the baby’s heartbeat. ECV is successful for about 50% of women and It is more likely to work after a previous vaginal birth.

• Planned cesarean section

 

 

Sources and acknowledgments

 

RCOG Green-top Clinical Guidelines No.20a External Cephalic Version and Reducing Incidence of Term Breech Presentation and No.20b Management of Breech Presentation.

 

Breech baby at the end of pregnancy. July 2017. RCOG patient information leaflets

​