Breech Presentation in Pregnancy: What It Means & How to Support
Baby’s Turn
What Is Breech Presentation?
Breech presentation means that your baby is not in the typical head-down position before birth. Instead, baby may be positioned bottom-first or feet-first in the uterus. While this may feel concerning at first, it’s essential to remember that breech positioning in the early weeks of pregnancy is common and typically nothing to worry about.
There are a few different types of breech presentation:
- Frank breech: Baby’s bum is down, and legs are extended upward near the head.
- Complete breech: Baby is sitting cross-legged with bum down.
- Footling breech: One or both feet are pointing downward into the pelvis. (This is the most challenging position for baby to turn from, since the foot is already in the birth canal.)
And while not technically a breech, you may also hear about transverse lie, when baby is lying sideways across the uterus. Like breech, transverse positioning is common earlier in pregnancy and often resolves on its own as baby grows and has more reason to settle head-down.
It’s important to remember that no single type of breech is “more common” than another. Each baby has their own way of moving and growing.
When Does Breech Positioning Become a Concern?
In the first and second trimester, and even into the early third, breech is completely normal. Before 32 weeks of pregnancy, many babies are still moving freely, shifting between head-down and breech positions.
By around 32 weeks, we ideally like to see baby spending more time head-down. This helps prepare for a smoother delivery and allows your care team to make the best plan moving forward. Still, hearing the word “breech” on your scan isn’t a reason to panic, it’s a chance to explore safe, supportive ways to encourage baby’s turn.
Supportive Care Options for Breech Presentation
While no treatment can guarantee a flip, there are gentle, proactive approaches that may help create more balance and space in your body, giving your baby the best possible environment to turn.
Prenatal Chiropractic Care: Chiropractic adjustments in pregnancy focus on pelvic alignment and ligament balance. By easing tension and improving pelvic space, chiropractic care helps make it easier for baby to settle head-down.
Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Acupuncture can help promote circulation and relaxation, creating an environment that supports baby’s movement. Moxibustion is a traditional technique where a dried herb stick (usually mugwort) is lit and held near specific acupuncture points. The warmth stimulates circulation and may encourage baby to respond with movement.
At-Home Strategies to Support Baby’s Turn
Along with professional care, there are simple ways to encourage optimal positioning at home. Many parents find these strategies helpful:
- Forward-leaning inversions: Kneeling on a couch or bed and lowering your hands to the floor to create a gentle inversion.
- Breech tilts: Lying on your back with hips elevated on pillows, encouraging baby to shift.
- Deep squats: Opening the pelvis and encouraging engagement once baby is head-down.
- Walking: Supporting circulation and pelvic mobility through daily movement.
- Avoiding reclined positions: Sitting upright or leaning forward instead of reclining may help prevent baby from staying breech.
These positions are most effective with guidance from a practitioner experienced in prenatal care.
Breech presentation can feel unsettling, but it doesn’t define your birth story. Before 32 weeks, breech is often just a normal stage of your baby’s growth. With supportive care, like as chiropractic, acupuncture, moxibustion, and safe at-home positioning, you can create the best possible environment for baby to turn on their own.
Curious about how we can support you if your baby is breech? Get in touch with us here.