you have a low-lying placenta (placenta praevia).your baby is in a certain position - for example, their neck is very tilted back, which can make delivery of the head more difficult.your baby is larger or smaller than average - your healthcare team will discuss this with you.your baby's feet are below it's bottom - known as a 'footling breach'.The RCOG states that you may be advised against a vaginal breech delivery if: The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has more information on what to expect if your baby is still breech at the end of pregnancy. If you plan a caesarean and then go into labour before the operation, your obstetrician will assess whether to proceed with the caesarean delivery. If the baby is close to being born, it may be safer for you to have a vaginal breech birth.

If ECV doesn't work, you'll need to discuss options with your midwife or obstetrician. Although breech babies can be born vaginally, you will probably be offered a caesaraen section. This is the safest way of delivering a breech baby. If your baby is in a breech position at 36 weeks, you'll usually be offered an external cephalic version (ECV). This is when a healthcare professional, such as an obstetrician, tries to turn the baby into a head-down position by applying pressure on your abdomen. It's a safe procedure, although it can be a bit uncomfortable. Around 50% of breech babies can be turned using ECV, allowing a vaginal birth. If your baby is lying bottom or feet first, they are in the breech position. If they're still breech at around 36 weeks gestation, the obstetrician and midwife will discuss your options for a safe delivery.

bottom first or feet first (breech position).

Printer friendly version (opens new window)īabies often twist and turn during pregnancy, but most will have moved into the head-down (also known as head-first) position by the time labour begins. However, that doesn't always happen, and a baby may be:

Transverse baby position