⚠️ Ask the Expert: Is Your Baby in Breech Position? What Every Expecting Mum Needs to Know!

Your doctor can check baby’s position through a physical exam and confirm it with an ultrasound. Unusual movement patterns can sometimes suggest breech, but only imaging by ultrasound can tell for sure.

Likely, yes. If the feet are up near your ribs, baby may still be breech. But positions can still change at this stage.

There’s no solid evidence that sleeping position affects baby’s turning. Sleeping on the side during pregnancy is healthy overall, but won’t control baby’s position.

Same as with any pregnancy: sudden pain, fluid leakage, bleeding, or reduced fetal movement. Breech adds risk to some of these signs, so seek help immediately if they occur.

There may be a slight chance of recurrence, but it’s not strongly genetic. It can happen randomly and isn’t caused by anything you did (or didn't do)

Breech deliveries carry more risks for both mother and baby, especially for first-time pregnancies. That’s why a planned C-section is often the safest choice if the baby remains breech at term. However, one option to consider before delivery is External Cephalic Version (ECV)—a manual procedure done by your obstetrician around 36–37 weeks to try and turn the baby into a head-down position. It’s generally safe and successful in many cases, though not guaranteed. Your doctor will advise whether you’re a good candidate for ECV based on your pregnancy and baby’s position.

Please head to the hospital right away. Breech babies are at higher risk of cord prolapse and other complications when the water breaks.

It’s understandable to explore different options, but there’s no medical evidence that manual “adjustments” by traditional practitioners can safely or effectively turn a breech baby. Some methods may even be risky — especially if strong pressure is applied to the abdomen. If you’re considering traditional therapies, speak to your obstetrician first. The only methods with scientific support for turning a breech baby are External Cephalic Version (ECV)—done by a trained doctor—and moxibustion, a traditional Chinese technique using heat at acupuncture points near the feet, which may help in some cases when done correctly.

Yes, some babies turn naturally by 36–37 weeks. If not, ECV may be offered to help baby turn safely. It’s currently the most evidence-based technique.

Many babies do turn on their own. Massage and exercises haven’t shown strong results. The only methods with some proven benefit are ECV and, in some studies, moxibustion (a traditional Chinese therapy done at the feet under guidance).