Breech Birth - Safe Or Not?

Talking about a breech birth may sound quite scary, but some midwives (if they have done it before) believe it's alot better to let a woman deliver a breech baby naturally. When consultants and registrars become involved, events will seem more stressful and you may even end up in surgery.

I have never had a breech baby, and therefore cannot comment on the process of delivering a breech baby naturally.To write this page I have done alot of reading and research on the subject of natural childbirth, when your baby is presenting breech. From the perspective of the mother, and of the midwife.

Breech baby - Breech birth - Can I or can't I?

Firstly when you discover that your baby is breech, there will be certain factors to take into account before you will be allowed to consider having a natural birth.

How big the baby is, and what the expected delivery weight could be.

If there are any problems with your placenta.

If there is any risk to you or your unborn baby.

If there are any problems with the umbilical cord.

Whether your pelvis may be too narrow.

There are other factors to be considered and if you are considering a natural birth, you should ask your doctor to explain all the facts and details to you.

Once you are in labour, if it doesn't progress as expected you may have a caesarean section.

Your midwife and breech baby vaginal birth

UK midwives are trained in theory on the subject of natural birth with a baby in breech position. They will not qualify unless they have attended a breech birth, or the simulation of one. This means that they are given all of the training, but unless they have been present at a breech birth, they don't have the practical skills. Some midwives may be only too willing to allow you to try and deliver your baby naturally, whereas others may have reservations about this.

The risks involved with a vaginal breech birth

As with every aspect of childbirth, there is some risk involved. The risks may be higher with a breech baby though.

The cord may not be long enough. The head may become stuck, if this happens there is a chance that the baby could suffocate. The cord could be wrapped around the baby's neck, this would prove difficult because with the head being the last to emerge, the midwife or doctor may not be able to remove the cord before the baby is damaged in some way.

If it a footling breech with the feet emerging first, there is a risk that the umbilical cord can drop down through the cervix causing cord prolapse.

What to expect when you do get the chance to deliever naturally

A natural childbirth - if your baby is breech will be closely monitored by your midwife and maybe a consultant as well. From what I've read your midwife may just wait to see if things progress naturally. If they do, then it will be your baby's bottom or feet that will emerge first. Researching breech childbirth has shown me that alot of women who have had a vaginal breech birth have been in the all fours position to deliver their baby. Majority of these mothers state that the birth is no more, or no less painful that a normal delivery.

Midwives are normally taught that a breech baby, (birthing naturally) should not be pulled to help the mother give birth. It really should be pushed out by the mother.

If your labour isn't progressing too well, or if there are any serious risk factors to the mother or baby, then a caesarean is highly recommended.

Please take the time to view this: Breech birth - Association of Radical Midwives. This will give you insights into the midwives thoughts. It will give examples of successful vaginal breech births, and also what could go wrong. If your baby is presenting breech, then helpful information will help you to make an informed choice.

Back to childbirth page, or New baby and beyond homepage.