About 4.5% of single baby pregnancies result in a breech (head up instead of head down) presentation. Breech presentations result in an increased number of Caesarean sections. Because a C-section is a major abdominal surgery with associated risks and recovery time it is important to attempt to get the baby into a proper vertex (head down) position. An external cephalic version (an obstetrician manually attempting to turn the baby from the outside) is often attempted but can be very uncomfortable and poses its own risks. There are other popular and effective alternatives available that do not carry the same risks and are much more comfortable that I have suggested over the years.
Be sure to check with your provider before trying any option for turning a breech baby to see if there is any reason why you should not use them.
The Webster Technique is a chiropractic technique that is helpful in allowing babies to get into a proper position. Many people know of it as a "breech turning technique" but it really is about balancing the joints and ligaments of the pelvis to allow the uterus, and therefore the baby, to be in a proper position. A chiropractor who is certified in the Webster Technique will evaluate the woman's sacrum for a subluxation (misalignment) and adjust as necessary. Next, the chiropractor will gently release any tension being held in the round ligaments of the uterus with a gentle pressure at any tight areas. The technique is very gentle and usually very comfortable.
Acupuncture is another option to use to help turn breech babies. Small, thin needles are placed in specific areas to facilitate the turning of the baby. Acupuncture treatments for turning breech babies are typically started between weeks 32 and 34 of pregnancy. Studies have shown that acupuncture alone has about a 70% success rate in turning a breech baby.
Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine practice which involves the use of burning a mugwort stick near a specific place on the pregnant woman's little toe. The moxibustion stimulation of this point (Bladder 67) helps to relax the uterine wall and increase fetal activity. Studies have shown it to have a success rate between 69% and 85%. Patients may be given these sticks to continue the treatment at home multiple times per day.
Breech Tilt - begin at 32-35 weeks gestation. Do 3 times daily for 10-15 minutes each time, when you have an empty stomach, and the baby is active. Prop one end of an ironing board securely on a sofa or chair 12 to 18 inches high (or may use slant board). Lie down, bend knees but keep feet flat on board. Relax, breathe deeply, avoid tensing. May also use pillows on a flat surface to raise hips 12-18" above shoulders. Gravity pushes the baby's head into the fundus, tucks it, and baby can then do a somersault to a vertex position.
Inverted Shoulder Stand- yoga posture, should be done when the baby is the most active, try to hold position for up to 5 minutes at least 2x per day until the baby turns, should be done with assistance for safety.
Pelvic Rocking- pelvic movement, back and forward, side to side, circular (try a hula hoop), spiraling (in a squatting position), figure eight.
Try elephant walking, Like the downward dog position in yoga. Elephant walking is walking on hands and feet instead of knees. As soon as you try it, you will see why it would work! It's very difficult to do, but it definitely helps loosen the baby up and out of the pelvic ring. Some people say they feel the baby turn as soon as they start doing it.
Diet- according to Chinese medicine breech babies are too yin and the mother needs to consume more yang foods (fish, poultry, eggs, red meat, dairy, and miso) and decrease yin foods and products (fruit, ice cream, oil, coffee, sweets, drugs, chemicals, cigarettes, and stress)
Massage & Aromatherapy- use sweet almond oil to massage the belly over the area of the baby’s back using a firm but gentle pressure, massage in the direction you want the baby to turn (Maya abdominal massage or Myofascial release)
Frozen veggies - Place cold frozen veggies on top of babies head. This works well because the baby prefers to move to a warmer position. HEAD DOWN!
Visualizing the baby moving down with the head very deep in your pelvis, several times a day; especially in conjunction with positions and exercises as listed.
Swimming as often as possible. This keeps your body and pelvis loose and relaxed. Do in conjunction with headstand below if you have help.
Get into a warm pool. Walks into the water until up to shoulders. Then dive down to the bottom of the pool. As you are deweighted so is the baby and the heavy part of the baby (the head) will go into the pelvis.
Headstands - with assistance and in a pool frequently as possible.
CD/iPod headphones - place them inside mom's pants toward her pubic bone and play classical music and or the sounds of a heartbeat for 10 minutes 6-8 times a day. (Sometimes babies like to be close to the mothers heartbeat because it is comforting.)
Flashlight - try moving slowly down from the top of the uterus toward your pubic bone while you are in a breech tilt position.
Self-massage - start with your left hand at the bottom of the abdomen and your right hand just above it. Move your hands clockwise around the right side of your tummy. As your right hand reaches the top of your abdomen, slide the left one over your right and move it down the left side of your tummy. Your left hand leads as you come full circle, continuing clockwise. Massage gently as you would to apply lotion. Massage for ten minutes or more up to several times each day.
Clothespin - place on the small toe of each foot at the outside corner of the toenail; sideways so that the toenail and toe pad are stimulated for 30 minutes per day, this is an acupressure point that is a "moving down" point. You can also do this with just finger pressure as you remember to do it.
Motion Sickness band - place with the bead four fingerwidths above the inner ankle bone - another acupressure point that is used for stimulation of the uterus. Do not use this point if you are experiencing any pre-term labor.
Glass of orange or other juice - follow this with a side-lying position with your hips positioned higher than your feet. Babies move more after a sugar high!
Pelvic Tilt- with an ice pack on the top of your tummy on an empty stomach, 10 minutes twice a day. Do this while lying on your back on the floor with knees flexed and feet on the floor with three large pillows placed under your buttocks. Try this in conjunction with headphones and visualization.
Knee-chest position - by kneeling with hips flexed slightly more than 90 degree, but with thighs not pressing against your tummy and your head, shoulders and upper chest are flat on a mattress for 15 minutes every two waking hours for five days.
Belly Relaxing followed by Inversion - Partner places a shawl, sheet, towel or rebozo under mom's hips as she lays on the floor. Lift up on the corners of the cloth and shimmy her from side to side moving your hands up and down to wiggle her belly from side to side. These should be very small movements which mom should find very relaxing. Do this for about 5 minutes. Then mother kneels on the stairway landing. Walk your hands down 2 or 3 stairs into an all fours position; have your partner support your shoulders to balance you. Remain in this position for about 5-10 minutes or as long as comfortable. Also do this on an empty stomach.
Have someone (preferably the father) talk loudly but soothingly to the baby, low on the belly, close to the skin, telling the baby to turn around, to come towards the voice (have also heard that commanding works).
Find every picture of a head-down baby you can find and plaster them all over your house/work, in your purse, and anywhere else you can think of and keep the faith. Your baby will turn! Also, talk to the baby about its motivation for turning around.
Hypnosis with a partner or friend : Use this script –
I'M GOING TO COUNT DOWN NOW FROM 10 TO 0............ I'LL SAY A SENTENCE WITH EACH NUMBER, AND I'D LIKE YOU TO REPEAT EACH SENTENCE TO YOURSELF. EACH TIME YOU REPEAT A SENTENCE, YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF DEEPER RELAXED. JUST ALLOW YOURSELF TO SLIP INTO A DEEP RELAXATION.
10 - I AM NOW READY TO GO INTO A STATE OF DEEP RELAXATION.
9 - WITH EACH COUNT I WILL GO DEEPER INTO RELAXATION
8 - MY ENTIRE BODY IS MORE AND MORE RELAXED
7 - EVERY MUSCLE AND NERVE IN MY BODY DROOPS INTO RELAXATION
6 - MY EYELIDS REMAIN EASILY CLOSED
5 - MY BODY IS IN NATURAL RELAXATION
4 - MY BREATHING IS MORE RHYTHMIC NOW
3 - MY BODY IS SINKING INTO DEEP RELAXATION
2 - ALL TENSION AND STRESS ARE GONE FROM MY BODY AND MIND
1 - MY BODY AND MIND ARE COMPLETELY RELAXED - WORKING IN PERFECT
HARMONY
0 - I AM COMPLETELY RELAXED, BUT INTENSELY FOCUSED ON WHAT IS BEING
SAID
It is now time to visit a wonderful place called the "Hall of Learning". The Hall of Learning is where all limiting thoughts can be eliminated, corrected, and left behind. Where learning takes place for developing new philosophies, new ways of looking at what's going on with you and your life. It is a place where you can take charge of your life and the events in it. Go there now - to the Hall of Learning. See the room in your favorite colors. The temperature of the room is perfectly set as you desire it. There is softly filtered light. To your right, you notice a long hallway that leads to another part of the Hall of Learning. It leads to your "Healing Room" containing the control system of your subconscious. Go down
that hallway. Each step takes you closer and closer to the control system of your subconscious. As you enter this room, you notice that it also has some of your favorite colors on the wall. These are the colors that bring you comfort. This room is also at the perfect temperature with softly filtered light. There is a large cushy chair in the room. Go over and make yourself comfortable in this wonderful chair. Feel yourself relax as your sink into the cushions. To the right is a console with knobs and gauges that control the inner workings of your body. Look at the one that reads "Breathing". Turn the knob until the gauge is set at 10 breaths per minute and your breathing becomes slow and calm. Good. Now look at the gauge that reads "Heartbeat". Turn that knob until the gauge is set at 60 beats per minute and you feel the pace of your heart becoming slower and easier as it would at this perfect resting rate. Now look at the
gauge that reads "Muscles and Fibers". Turn that knob until the gauge is set at soft, loose and relaxed and you feel all the muscles in your body and around your uterus ease into an even deeper relaxation - giving the baby room to make its turn, releasing all inner tension. Good. The last gauge that needs setting is the one that reads "Concentration and Focus". Turn this knob until the gauge reads sharp and you find yourself intensely focused on my voice. Relaxed and focused. It is possible to do both and your mind accepts the suggestions you desire much easier when you are in this place. Very good. You have now set your body perfectly to maintain a deep state of relaxation while maintaining a sharp focus on what is being said. Very good. Now that you are thoroughly relaxed, it is time to talk to your subconscious and to your baby. Thank your subconscious for doing such a good job of holding those lower fibers and muscles of your uterus closed so that your baby would be secure during its development. Growing and developing into this wonderful healthy and happy being that you are so eager to hold... It is now time for your subconscious to assume a new role. The time for the baby to be born is coming close and so, it is time to give new direction to the muscles that have been holding the baby in an upright position. Speaking to the subconscious now - release and relax those uterine muscles just enough so that your baby has the necessary room to turn and make its descent into the vertex, head down position. Direct your muscles now to release only sufficiently and appropriately for the downward turn. In order to allow ________ and the baby to have an easy, smooth birthing, it is time to RELEASE AND ALL LIMITING THOUGHTS OR IMPRINTS THAT STEM FROM KNOWN OR UNKNOWN IMPRESSIONS, INFLUENCES, EXPERIENCES, MEMORIES, PEOPLE, HAPPENINGS OR FEARS that could be standing in the way of an easy vaginal birth for ________. If _________'s subconscious is willing to release these obstacles, please indicate by lifting a finger. Good, then release now any and all limiting thoughts or imprints that stem from known or unknown impressions, influences, experiences, memories, people, happenings and fear. Very good. Your mind, body and baby are now free of any fearful or intrusive thoughts. You are totally free and relaxed. You will not allow these kinds of previously mentioned negative thoughts to plant seeds again. They are now replaced with confidence, assurance and trust in your body's natural birthing abilities. Your birthing will be exactly as nature intended... gentle.... easy.... joyous. Speaking to your muscles now - thank them for helping to support the baby, allowing it to fully develop, and keeping it safe from harm: "This has been your job throughout my pregnancy and you have done well. But again, now is the time to change roles to accommodate the coming birth. It is time to release and relax in just the appropriate degree that will allow the baby to turn downward into a vertex position." In your mind now, repeat these thoughts to your muscles. Give them permission to release and relax as the baby is
given room to turn and move downward. Good. Now direct your mind to talk to your baby. Your precious little babygrowing inside of you is feeling your love, peace and relaxation. Direct these kinds of thoughts to your baby... how loved the baby is; how happy you are and how complete your lives will be together; how pleased you are as you eagerly await the birth. Explain to the baby that it will be safe in your arms; that it will be protected, nurtured and loved. Explain to the baby that being in the upright position was the normal and natural positioning for it throughout most of the pregnancy, but now it is time to get ready for birthing: (give Mom time to repeat each phrase to herself before you say the next) "Dear little baby inside me, it is now time to allow yourself to fold down and around so that your head is downward. Begin the turning of your body so that your head will be in the vertex position. Sweet baby, it is now time for you to start your role in this birthing by turning your head downward in order to assure a gentle, easy birth for both you and me. It will be a wonderful birth for everything is in the proper place and position as you tuck your chin down onto your chest once you are in the vertex, head down position. Your descent will be smooth and easy as you make your journey through the birth path safely and comfortably at the appropriate time." Now send your loving energy to your baby. Good. Focus on yourself now. Visualize releasing the uterine muscles, and any other muscles, enough so that your baby can turn and remain in the vertex, head down position. See, in your mind's eye, your baby turning into that position - head down, chin tucked in - coach the baby and your muscles along with nudging thoughts... relaxing your birthing body now. Directing the baby to turn downward. Releasing and relaxing your body, giving baby all the needed room to turn slowly and easily to the head down, vertex position. Very good. (Repeat this last paragraph at least 3 times)
External Version - this can be done in the hospital at about 37 weeks; see an Ob-Gyn for assistance and more information.
Homeopathy Options:
* Homeopathic Pulsatilla in 200C potency or higher. Mom to take one dose every 3 days while doing tilt exercises.
*Natrum Muriaticum- a water balancing tissue salt for fluid imbalance (too much
or too little amniotic fluid)
*Ignatia Amara- 30c x 1 every two hours for fear, anxiety, or depression (related
to suppressed grief, anger, or shock) which may be causing tightness of the
lower uterine segment and keeping the baby high.
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