Breech position
A breech position means the baby would be born feet or bottom first. This can make delivery more complicated, so your midwife or doctor should discuss your options
A baby lying in a breech position during pregnancy is bottom down or feet down, rather than in a head-down position. A baby can move position right up to the end of pregnancy, but if he or she is in a breech position at 36 weeks, your midwife or doctor should talk to you about your options, which may include a procedure to turn the baby in the womb called external cephalic version (ECV)
If your baby is still in a breech position at the end of your pregnancy, you may have to decide whether you want to have a Caesarean section or a vaginal breech birth.
There are benefits and risks associated with both caesarean section and vaginal breech birth, and these should be discussed with you so that you can choose what is best for you and your baby.
A caesarean section is recommended as being safer for the baby around the time of birth by both the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
If your baby is in a breech position
- Ask your midwife or doctor about your options, and the possible benefits and risks for you and your baby
- The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have produced information for women with a baby in the breech position
- NICE guidance on Caesarean section (the information isn’t written specifically for someone with a breech baby)