Breech position babies

I am thoroughly intrigued by breech babies. I have a friend who gave birth to a breech baby vaginally in a time and place when that just isn't done. Today if babies are breech they are delivered by cesarean with no questions asked. The art and medical procedure of delivering a breech baby vaginally is dieing out. It isn't being taught and it isn't being practiced.

My friend's situation was unique in that her physician and the nurses didn't realize the baby was breech until they saw the baby's bottom coming out. By then it was too late for the alternative and her doctor safely guided her through pushing and delivering a healthy little one. I was happy for her, and even happier for her doctor (who incidentally was also my doctor for my second baby). This doctor now has that experience. This doctor has delivered a breech baby and hopefully can and will deliver more in the future.

Three types of breech presentation: 

1. Frank breech where the baby's bottom is over the cervix and legs are straight up in the air like baby is in pike position. (this is the most common breech position)
2. Complete breech where baby is sitting cross-legged over the cervix. 
3. Footling breech is where one or both of baby's feet are over the cervix. 

Delivering a breech baby vaginally isn't for everyone and it is important to have an experienced physician present. But delivering a breech baby vaginally isn't impossible as some medical professionals would have you think. Having a breech baby doesn't mean you are destined for a cesarean. However, you may need to do research into which care givers in your area can perform a breech delivery. This may mean you need to travel a distance to find these specially trained and experienced care givers.

If you are in an area where cesarean is the only option for your breech baby there are things you can do. External Cephalic Version is a procedure done by a professional where they essentially turn your baby around by pressing on your abdomen to manipulate the baby's position. It is pretty cool. Here is a video.

There are other things you can do with positions and exercise that will open up your pelvis and abdomen and give baby more room to turn on his or her own. Spinning babies is one place to go for exercises and positions that can help turn a baby. These techniques are used a lot during labor, but they do discuss options for breech babies as well. I'm taking steps to incorporate some of the Spinning Babies techniques into my classes. Send me a message and I'll get you signed up for one.