Can You Turn a Breech Baby?

As you approach your due date, your body does many things to prepare for childbirth, ranging from Braxton Hicks contractions to the descent of your baby, which is also known as when your baby "drops." Most of the time, a baby will descend with their head pointed toward the vagina, which is also known as vertex positioning; however, sometimes, a baby will be positioned with their buttocks and/or feet first, which is known as breech presentation.

"A breech baby is a baby who's buttocks, feet, or both are positioned to come out first, rather than the baby's head," elaborates Dr. Renita White, MD, an Atlanta-based OB-GYN. "This occurs in 3 to 4% of full-term pregnancies, as most babies are delivered head first.'"

While some breech babies can be delivered vaginally, it's only considered safe in very specific circumstances. Many health care providers will opt to perform a C-section for a feet-first or buttocks-first infant; this decreases the odds of complications. Others will recommend various procedures and methods to try and get the baby to turn before labor begins.

It's important to note that not all babies stay breech. Some turn around on their own before delivery. You can actually do some things to help move your little love bug along, though they aren't guaranteed to work. Ahead are some exercises, sleeping positions, and activities that might help coax your baby into the head down position, along with additional options that your health care provider might suggest.

Can You Use Sleeping Positions Turn a Breech Baby?

While there's no scientific evidence that supports any specific sleeping position as a method for turning a breech baby, some experts suggest trying to sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs in order to give your baby more "room. If nothing else, this position might also offer you relief if you're experiencing any aches or pains in your lower back or legs. And if you're late in the pregnancy game, you're probably already sleeping on your side. After all, sleeping on your stomach is uncomfortable and sleeping on your back is generally considered unsafe.

Can You Turn a Breech Baby With Exercise?

Some exercises can help a breech baby turn naturally. "Certain postural maneuvers may help to facilitate spontaneous repositioning of a baby from breech to the head-down position," says Dr. White.

Pelvic tilts may encourage your baby to turn, particularly if they are already moving. Inversions, like child's pose, can relax the pelvic muscles and uterus while using gravity. What's more, walking encourages movement while loosening the tissues and connective tissue that supports the uterus and pelvis. Activities like kneeling and lunging may also be beneficial; however, be sure to discuss any exercise or physical movement with an OB-GYN or health care provider.

Other Ways to Turn a Breech Baby

While there is no tried-and-true way to turn a breech baby, your health care provider might suggest trying the following things.

Music

If you find your baby reacts to sound or music, you may want to try playing a tune for them. Sometimes a simple melody will get them moving and grooving.

Acupuncture with moxibustion

Since acupuncture alleviates pressure, this ancient practice may help relax the muscles of your pelvis and uterus. Licensed practitioners also combine it with moxibustion, which involves burning the herb mugwort (or moxa) near acupuncture points, to turn a breech baby. Some studies have found acupuncture with moxibustion is effective for turning breech babies; however, be sure to consult a health care provider before attempting this method.

Heat and Cold

The strategy for using heat and cold is to put cold near where the baby’s head is currently (at the top of the uterus) and warmth where you want the head to go (near the bottom of the uterus). Even in the womb, babies want to keep warm and snuggled, so any cold placed near them will cause them to react and move away. A bag of frozen peas or ice works well for this technique. For warmth, try taking a shallow bath that only covers the bottom half of your belly or use a warm pack.

Change the placement of the heat and cold as the baby starts to shift to draw them toward the pelvis. This method can be used as often as you like as long as you remove the cold and heat when/if it becomes at all uncomfortable.

External cephalic version (ECV)

Performed by a health care provider after 37 weeks, an external cephalic version is a physical manipulation technique which can be used to manually turn your baby. During this procedure, a health care professional will apply pressure to your abdomen with their hands to try to get your baby to turn. Baby's heart rate is generally monitored and you may or may not be given medication to relax your muscles. However, an ECV isn't recommended for everyone; pregnant people with multiples or those with various complications would not be given an ECV.

What Happens if My Breech Baby Doesn't Turn?

While some breech babies may be delivered vaginally, most health care providers will suggest a C-section out of precaution. Risks of attempting a vaginal delivery with breech presentation include complications and problems with your baby's umbilical cord, which is why many health care professionals will opt for a C-section instead. If you find yourself with further questions or concerns about your baby's positioning, be sure to reach out to an OB-GYN, midwife, or health care provider for further guidance.

Additional reporting by Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH.