What does it mean your baby is breach?

A baby is considered to be in the breech position when their bottom or feet are positioned toward the birth canal instead of their head. There are different types of breech positions, including:

1. Complete breech: The baby's buttocks and feet are both pointing downward.

2. Frank breech: The baby's buttocks are down, with the legs extended or crossed in front of them.

3. Incomplete breech: One or both of the baby's feet are pointing downward.

Breech presentation occurs in about 3-4% of pregnancies and is more common in certain situations, such as multiple pregnancies (e.g., twins or triplets), low levels of amniotic fluid, large babies, and uterine abnormalities.

Being in the breech position can increase the risk of complications during childbirth. For this reason, vaginal delivery may not be possible, and a cesarean section (C-section) may be recommended to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby.

If your baby is in the breech position, your healthcare provider will discuss the risks and options with you and develop a birth plan accordingly. In some cases, certain techniques may be used to try to turn the baby to the head-down position, such as external cephalic version (ECV) or postural maneuvers.