03 9467 9444
Finding out your baby is breech close to your due date can feel unsettling, especially if you were hoping for a straightforward vaginal birth. The good news is you have options. Understanding those options clearly helps you make a choice that’s right for you. Talking through birth delivery options in Melbourne with an experienced obstetrician gives you the best starting point.
This guide covers what breech means, why it matters for birth, what can be done to change it, and what your choices are if your baby stays breech near your due date.
What Is a Breech Position?
A baby is called breech when their bottom or feet sit in the lower part of the womb, closest to the birth canal, instead of their head. Around 96 to 97 out of 100 babies naturally turn head-down by 36 to 37 weeks. For the rest, the baby stays breech, and birth planning becomes a bit more involved.
Being breech at term is not something you did or didn’t do. It is simply the position the baby settled into, and the reason is not always clear.
Types of Breech Position
Not all breech babies sit the same way, and the type can affect some parts of birth planning.
| Type | Position | How Common |
|---|---|---|
| Frank breech | Hips bent, legs stretched up, feet near face | About 75% of breech babies |
| Complete breech | Hips and knees both bent, feet near bottom | About 25% of breech babies |
| Footling breech | One or both feet come first, below the bottom | Least common, higher risk |
Why Does Breech Happen?
Often, no clear cause is found. Things that make breech more likely include:
– Being born early, since babies usually turn head-down closer to term
– An unusually shaped womb
– Too much or too little amniotic fluid (the fluid around the baby)
– Placenta praevia, where the placenta sits low in the womb
– Twins or more, where there is less room to move
– A baby with a condition that limits movement
– A past breech baby (breech can run in a pattern)
Can a Breech Baby Be Turned?
Yes, often. The main way doctors try to turn a breech baby is called External Cephalic Version (ECV).
ECV is performed in a hospital, usually between 36 and 37 weeks. The obstetrician applies firm but gentle pressure on the outside of your belly to help the baby somersault into a head-down position. Your baby’s heartbeat is checked before and after to make sure all is well.
ECV works for about 50 to 60 out of 100 attempts. It works better for women who have had a vaginal birth before, women with a good amount of fluid, and when the baby’s back is not pressed against the mother’s spine.
ECV does carry a small chance of problems, including the placenta separating early, waters breaking early, or the baby needing an emergency birth. These problems are uncommon, and ECV is always done where an emergency caesarean can be done straight away if needed.
Breech presentation is assessed individually, taking into account the baby’s position, gestational age and your overall pregnancy circumstances.
Delivery Options for a Breech Baby
If your baby stays breech at term, or if ECV isn’t right for you, you and your obstetrician will talk through your choices.
Planned Caesarean Section
Your obstetrician can also explain how different delivery options in Melbourne apply to your individual circumstances. . Research shows that, for most breech babies, a planned caesarean lowers the risk of serious problems for the baby at birth.
This is usually done around 39 weeks. A planned caesarean is a calm, well-prepared operation, quite different from an emergency one. Your obstetrician will walk you through exactly what to expect.
Vaginal Breech Birth
Vaginal breech birth is an option some women look into. It needs very careful checks, the right circumstances, and an experienced labour and delivery specialist trained in managing this type of birth.
The risks of vaginal breech birth include the cord coming down first, the head getting stuck, or the baby not breathing well at first. These risks are why most guidelines suggest a caesarean for term breech babies. But in the right situation, with the right expertise, vaginal breech birth may still be considered.
Assisted Delivery in Melbourne
For women in labour who are found to have a surprise breech baby, assisted delivery in Melbourne may mean an emergency caesarean. This is why regular check-ups in the weeks leading up to your due date matter so much.
Choosing the Right Care
Whatever path you take, the most important thing is being fully informed and supported in a choice that fits both the medical evidence and what matters to you.
Dr Steven Hatzikostas is an experienced high-risk obstetrician in Melbourne who has delivered many babies over more than 30 years, including managing breech babies in many different situations. He takes a thoughtful, personal approach to birth planning and takes time to explain all your options clearly.
As a private obstetrician offering 24/7 access to his patients, Dr Hatzikostas makes sure any surprise change in your baby’s position is checked quickly. This keeps your birth plan matched to your situation right up until birth.
A Practical Note on Timing
Women with a known breech baby often have their planned caesarean set for around 39 weeks. If labour starts on its own before that date, the plan may need to change. Knowing exactly who to call and where to go, and talking this through with your obstetrician ahead of time, helps you feel ready for any scenario.
Conclusion
A breech baby at term does not mean your birth has to be scary or disappointing. Understanding your caesarean section in Melbourne options, looking into ECV, and having honest chats with an experienced obstetrician puts you in the best spot to face birth with confidence.
Dr Steven Hatzikostas offers personal birth planning and obstetric care for women dealing with breech babies in Melbourne, making sure every choice is made with full information, honest conversation, and your safety front and centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a breech baby turn on its own?
Yes, many babies move into a head-down position on their own, especially before 36 weeks. After 36 weeks, spontaneous turning becomes less likely. This is why ECV is usually offered from 36 to 37 weeks.
Is ECV painful?
ECV can feel uncomfortable, since firm pressure is applied to your belly. Most women describe it as strong pressure rather than sharp pain. A muscle-relaxing medicine is sometimes given beforehand to relax the womb and improve the chances of success. The procedure is closely watched and stopped if the baby shows any sign of distress.
What happens if ECV doesn’t work?
If ECV doesn’t turn the baby, or isn’t right for your situation, you’ll talk through the remaining options with your obstetrician. For most women, a planned caesarean is then recommended.
Will I need a caesarean in future pregnancies if I have one for breech?
Not always. A caesarean for a breech baby doesn’t automatically decide how future pregnancies are delivered. Many women who have had a caesarean for breech can look into VBAC next time, as long as they meet the right criteria.
Are there risks to the baby during a planned caesarean for breech?
A planned caesarean is seen as the safest way to deliver a term breech baby in most cases. Like any surgery, there are some risks, but serious problems are uncommon in planned operations done by experienced surgical teams.
