Breech Position and Breech Birth

Home Treatment

Healthy pregnancy choices

Whether or not your fetus is known to be in breech position, you can help with delivering a healthy baby by:

• Having regular prenatal checkups throughout your pregnancy. Knowing your fetus's position before you go into labour is key to preventing breech birth complications.
• Eating a balanced diet.
• Avoiding substances that are dangerous to your fetus, such as tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs.

For more information about staying healthy during pregnancy, see the topic Pregnancy.

Managing your breech pregnancy

If your fetus is in a breech position, ask your health professional if you can try postural management, using certain positions that use gravity to turn your fetus. Although this method has not been proven to turn the fetus into a head-down position, it isn't known to be harmful and may work for you.

It is normal to feel disappointed and worried when learning about a breech pregnancy, especially when attempts to turn the fetus are not successful. If you have concerns about your fetus's health, talk to your health professional. Most breech babies are healthy and do not have problems after birth.

After delivery by caesarean section, you will need extra help with basic household and infant care tasks for a few weeks. Although you will be able to get up and walk around within a few days, you will not be able to do any heavy lifting. For more information, see the topic Caesarean Section.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW Carrie Henley	Last Updated: June 29, 2006
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine William Gilbert, MD - Perinatology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.