Techniques for Turning a Breech Baby

Vaginal breech birth can be a safe and appropriate option when attended by a care provider who is specifically trained and experienced in supporting breech deliveries. With skilled support, these births often proceed smoothly, though there is still a potential for complications—as with any birth. While some care providers are comfortable and qualified to attend vaginal breech births, the majority are only trained in managing breech presentations via Cesarean section.

Because of this, many expectant parents explore various techniques to encourage their baby to turn to a head-down (vertex) position, after confirming with their provider that doing so is safe for their individual situation.

Turning a Breech Baby

When using any version (baby-turning) techniques, staying well-hydrated can help.
Drinking plenty of water may increase amniotic fluid, which can make it easier for the baby to move and improve the chances of success. It’s also best to avoid semi-reclining positions during this time.

Many of the techniques listed below are most effective when used together. For example, starting with a relaxing warm bath, followed by gentle talking to your baby, pelvic tilts, and calming music, can work well as a combination. Whatever technique(s) you choose, be sure to repeat them often for the best results.

🔷 Acupuncture with Moxibustion:  A study has shown that the Zhiyin technique, which involves applying heat on an acupuncture point on the little toe, was successful 75% of the time compared with a 50% turning rate in the untreated group. The best time for this procedure is between 30- and 34-weeks’ gestation, although it can work as late as 36 weeks.

🔷 Deep-Water Immersion: Susun Weed, author of Wise Woman’s Herbal for the Childbearing Year, suggests getting into a pool, spending at least 15 minutes enjoying the water, then going to a place in the pool where the water is chin high. Do five handstands in a row, ideally with a partner who can help maintain the position. Simply swimming can also help the baby turn because of the stretching and crouching involved. It helps relax abdominal muscles to give the baby more room to turn.

🔷 Hot and Cold Therapy: Place ice packs at the top of the uterus and warm packs at the bottom to encourage baby to turn towards the warmth.

🔷 Hypnosis/Relaxation and Visualization: A study at the University of Vermont College of Medicine compared 100 pregnant moms with a matched comparison group and found that hypnosis was successful in turning a breech baby 81% of the time compared with 48% of the time in the untreated group. The intervention group had received hypnosis with general suggestions for relaxation and a release of any fear and anxiety. The participants were also  asked under hypnosis why their babies were in the breech position, and were able to benefit from these insights. Hypnobabies “Turn Your Breech Baby” audio track has the same type of hypnotic suggestions.

🔷 Sound/Light Therapy: Play pleasant music and/or record the parent’s voice and play it to the bottom of the belly. Shining a bright light directly on the top of the uterus and then slowly moving it down to where you want the baby’s head to be is another way to encourage baby to turn.

🔷 Pelvic Tilt and Slant-board Exercise: Lay head-down and feet up on an ironing board, with one end that is propped up on the seat of a couch or chair. To avoid lying flat; place a pillow under one hip to tip slightly to one side, and a pillow under the head for comfort.  A warm bath prior to starting helps prepare for this exercise. Sound/light therapy, music and hot/cold therapy are great to use in conjunction with the pelvic tilt and slant-board exercise.

🔷 Webster’s Technique/Chiropractic Version:  An International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) retrospective survey of chiropractors showed the Webster Technique was successful in resolving breech presentations 92% of the time. ICPA defines this technique as “a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that reduces interference to the nervous system and improves the function of the pelvic muscles and ligaments, which in turn removes constraint of the uterus and allows the baby to get into the best possible position for birth.”

🔷 External Cephalic Version (ECV): An External Cephalic Version is a procedure used by medical professionals to turn a baby from a breech position or transverse position into a head down (vertex) position before labor begins. First an ultrasound confirms baby’s presentation and position and the site of placental attachment. A non-stress test using external monitors is routinely performed before and following the version to confirm the well-being of the baby. A medication such as Ritodrine, Terbutaline or Relaxin may be administered to relax the uterine muscle and reduce the risk of preterm labor.

In “Obstetric Myths Versus Research Realities,” by Henci Goer, we learn that even during labor, it is not too late to attempt an external version. External cephalic version for breech presentation is usually performed at about thirty-seven to thirty-eight weeks gestation.

If you’re interested, you can watch an excellent video showing an external cephalic version being performed. Fascinating!

The information within the Hypnobabies website, courses, or social media content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please seek consultations from healthcare professionals to receive personalized advice or treatment.

💗 Supportive Savings: YOU too deserve a more peaceful, empowering birth — and Hypnobabies Hypnobirthing can help! Enjoy 25% OFF all hypnobirthing courses, tracks, bundles, and hypnosis sets at Hypnobabies Academy. Use code  MyHypnobirth25-Off  at checkout 🎁