Help. My baby is breech!
What does this mean? Why does it
happen? Will your baby turn the right way down, and when will this happen? Is
there anything you can do to help? Should you prepare for a c-section?
These are some of the questions you
may be asking.
What does breech mean?
Breech means that, unless baby
turns, s/he will be born bottom first. Born the wrong way round is possible,
but there are risks with the possibility of complications – these being, Mom
and baby may go through a long and difficult labour and birth, the umbilical
cord could get pinched, and what about the placenta (afterbirth)? To avoid
these complications, having a c-section may be unavoidable.
Babies should be born head first
because the head being hard, it opens up the birth canal. It’s the biggest
part of the body which means that once the head is through, birthing the rest
of the body is a breeze.
Most breech babies are diagnosed in
the second trimester, and luckily, most of these have turned the right way up
by the time a woman is ready to go into labour.
There are four types of breach.
·
Bottom first when both legs are straight (next
to the ears)
·
Both legs are tightly crossed
·
One or two feet come first when one (or both)
legs are straight
·
‘Incomplete breech’ when both legs are loosely
crossed – this type of breech is most likely to turn on its own
This can be seen on a scan.
Why does it happen?
Some women have a small pelvis
that’s easier for a bottom to fit into. Most often though it’s because, during the
second trimester, the baby is still small and moving a lot. Breech is more
likely to happen with twins, especially the second twin.
Will my baby turn – and can I
help my baby turn?
As your baby grows, space to move
around gets smaller. They usually position themselves for birth sometime
during the last few weeks of pregnancy. You can make it slightly easier for
your baby by getting down onto your hands and knees, bottom-up when your baby
moves around a lot. This is not guaranteed to help. Some midwives pride
themselves in ‘manipulating’ and turning the baby externally. Sometimes it
helps. Sometimes it doesn’t.
What are the risks?
Breech babies can cause the waters
to break too early, increasing the risk of infections and premature labour, the
umbilical cord slipping into the vagina and premature birth. These babies are also
more likely to be stressed.
Risks are minimised when a
c-section is planned and booked. That is why it’s so important for women to see
a doctor or midwife during their pregnancy – to help avoid/prevent/minimise complications.
Diagram from: Comprehensive Maternity Nursing: Katharyn A May and Laura R. Mahlmeister
