Breech Birth

Most babies are born head first (vertex/cephalic), but a small number of babies are born with their buttocks or feet first and this is called a breech birth. Until about 32 weeks of pregnancy, your baby often moves around inside the internal genitalia/uterus and may flip between head down and breech every so often, or even daily. Later in pregnancy it is important for your health care provider to know the position of your baby to plan for the healthiest birth. Cesarean birth, rather than vaginal birth, used to be the most common way for breech babies to be born but this is changing. Depending on several factors, including the baby's exact position, how many babies you are having, your stage of pregnancy, your health history and your health care provider's scope and experience, you may have the option to try to turn the baby from breech to head down or to choose a vaginal birth or caesarean section. See the below links for more information on breech position.

• Pregnancy Info - Breech childbirth

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• HealthLinkBC - Breech position and breech birth

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• PHAC - Family Centred Maternity Care Guidelines - Breech Births

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• Pregnancy Info - Normal childbirth

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• Baby Center - Breech Birth