Sleep Positions to Turn Breech Baby

What Is a Breech Baby?

A baby whose feet or buttocks are positioned to emerge from the vagina first is known as a breech baby (also known as a breech birth or breech presentation). This indicates that its lower body is closest to the vagina, and its head is angled towards the chest.

Ideally, during vaginal birth or delivery, the head of the baby should be positioned down in the uterus. This head-first position is the safest for giving birth, and it is called vertex presentation. A breech baby will be positioned by the bottom or feet first in the uterus near the vagina. It is commonly seen in early pregnancy cases. Most breech babies will position their heads first by the end of 36 weeks. Some of these breech babies can be born vaginally, but in some cases, a C-section or cesarean is usually recommended. It is seen in three to four percent of pregnancy cases.

What Are the Types of Breech Positions?

Breech positions can be of different types.

Some of the breech positions include the following:

• Frank Breech: The back of the baby is towards the vaginal canal. The legs of the baby will be sticking up in front of the body, and the feet can be near the head of the baby.

• Complete Breech: The baby's back will point downwards, and the knees and hips will be folded under themselves.

• Footling Breech: One or both the feet of the baby will be pointing downwards, and the feet will be the first part to deliver before the rest of the body.

• Transverse Lie: The baby in a transverse lie will be positioned horizontally instead of vertically in the uterus. This will make the shoulder region deliver first through the vagina.

How Can One Tell if They Are Going to Have a Breech Baby?

If one has previously had head-down pregnancies, one may be able to identify if the fetus is breech. The fetus may be breech if it feels lumps and kicks in certain areas. For instance, one might feel kicks in the pelvis rather than beneath the ribs. One firm lump at the ribs could be felt.

The doctor will start pressing on different parts of the abdomen in the third trimester to check if the fetus is breech. If they find it before 36 weeks, they will give the breech position some time to become the preferred position.

The Causes of a Baby’s Breech

Sometimes, the reason for a fetus’s breech is unknown.

Here are a few things that could make a breech baby:

• Patients hoping for triplets, twins, or more.

• One carried a child before.

• Either too little or too much amniotic fluid is present.

• The uterus has an atypical form. This may result from a uterine septum, a growth like fibroids, or other illnesses.

• The cervix may be partially or fully covered by the placenta (placenta previa).

• The child is born before its due date. This suggests that it might still need to flip to face front.

• The fetus cannot turn its head down due to a problem.

What Are the Complications of the Breech Baby?

Pregnancy is usually unaffected by a breech baby. Most of the difficulties arise right before or right after delivery. Vaginal birth is a possibility for certain breech births, but there are hazards.

A vaginal breech delivery carries the following risks:

• Fractures or dislocations of the arms or legs that affect the infant.

• The head of the infant may become trapped or stuck.

• Issues with the umbilical cord. During delivery, the umbilical cord may twist or flatten. Because the baby's brain is not getting enough oxygen, this could harm their nerves or brain.

How Can a Breech Baby Be Diagnosed?

The prenatal care provider may place their hands on specific areas on the abdomen to determine which way the fetus is facing. It is normally feasible to determine which area of the baby is positioned to birth first by feeling the head, back, and buttocks. An ultrasound can determine whether a baby is breech.

What Are the Delivery Options for a Breech Baby?

Three things can happen if a baby is a breech at 37 weeks of pregnancy:

• Around weeks 37 to 38, turn the baby.

• Schedule a 39–40 week C-section delivery.

• Providers generally will not perform a vaginal breech birth unless the baby is ready to be delivered and is crowning.

What Are the Delivery Options for a Breech Baby?

Lying on the left side while resting and sleeping is ideal during the final months of pregnancy.

Sleeping on the left side is considered best for pregnant women because of the following reasons:

• Increase Blood Circulation: Sleeping on the left side will help increase blood circulation to the placenta and the fetus. This will help the baby receive an adequate amount of oxygen and nutrients for growth.

• Decreasing Pressure on the Internal Organs: Sleeping on the left side of the body can help reduce pressure on internal organs like the kidney and liver, which are on the right side of the body. This will improve digestion and also reduce swelling.

• Reduce Pressure on the Uterus: Sleeping on the left side of the body can help reduce pressure on the uterus, which can prevent contractions.

• Reduce the Chance of Preterm Labor: Sleep on the left side of the body to avoid preterm labor.

What Are the Other Best Sleeping Positions for Breech Baby?

The best sleeping position for a breech baby is when the pelvic region is elevated; the head can make the baby turn around. There are some sleeping positions that can cause the baby to turn.

They include the following:

• The Pelvic Tilt: Lie down on the floor pronely by keeping the knees bent and the feet flat on the bed or floor. Keep a pillow under the hips and tilt the pelvic region upwards. This will create an adequate amount of space for the baby to move around and can help the baby turn the position from the breech to the head first.

• The Knee-to-Chest Position: Lie down on the floor in a supine position by bending the knees and keeping the feet flat on the bed. Bring one knee close to the chest and hold it for some time. Then, switch the legs. Keep the knees close to the chest. This knee-to-chest position will help create space for the baby to move around and also help turn the breech baby.

• Forward Leaning Inversion: To do a forward-leaning inversion, start from the table and move to position by keeping both your hands and knees on the floor. Slowly lower the elbows to the ground. Bring the head and shoulders close to the floor and keep the hip and pelvic region elevated from the head. This position will encourage the baby to move and turn with the help of gravity.

Which Sleep Positions Are Not Recommended During Pregnancy?

• Sleeping on Their Back: Sleeping on their back can result in low blood pressure, breathing difficulties, digestive issues, haemorrhoids, and decreased blood flow to both the baby and the mother’s heart. This is because the intestines and major blood vessels—the aorta and vena cava—are supported by the expanding abdomen. As one gains weight, sleep apnea might also develop.

• Sleeping on the Stomach: As pregnancy progresses, the belly expands, and the breasts become more sensitive, making sleeping on the stomach uncomfortable. An individual might find it easier to sleep on the stomach if they use a pillow shaped like a doughnut with a hole in the middle.

How to Flip a Baby in the Womb?

Here are a few of the methods on how to flip a baby in the womb.

• ECV: If the baby is more than 36 weeks older, then the external cephalic version or ECVs are used as ways to get the baby to flip its head down towards the vagina. The external cephalic version is done by doctors using their hands. They apply pressure to the stomach and roll the baby to the head in the first position. This will increase the chance of vaginal birth. Sometimes, ECV results in preterm labor or placental abruption.

• Maintaining Posture: Maintaining proper posture when standing can be beneficial. This includes keeping the shoulders down, the chin level with the ground, and the abdomen drawn in.

• Swimming: The woman may feel weightless in the soft water, which could encourage the infant to adjust its position.

• Essential Oils: Some moms say that applying peppermint or other essential oils to their stomachs encourages the baby to turn. It is crucial to consult a physician before using essential oils, as some might not be suitable for expectant mothers.

• Activities: Figure eight motions, hip circles, and pelvic tilts are a few exercises that can help release tight uterine ligaments and mobilize the pelvis.

Conclusion

Changing the sleeping position of the mother can help how to flip a breech baby and encourage one to turn the head down before delivery. Knee pelvic tilt is one sleeping position that will help create space for the baby to move. These positions will encourage the baby to turn. However, always consult a doctor before considering any technique for the breech baby to turn to ensure everything is normal and going smoothly.