Your baby is breech if their bottom or feet are facing downwards in your uterus (womb). This is instead of the usual head-down position.
Breech is very common in the early stages of pregnancy (first and second trimesters). Most babies turn to the head-down position in later pregnancy.
After around 37 weeks most babies are in the head-down position ready for birth.
About 3% of babies remain in the breech position after 37 weeks. This may make the birth more challenging.
Causes
Most of the time it is simply because the baby has not turned and remains in the breech position.
Sometimes a baby can be breech if:
- the placenta is in an unusual position
- there is a multiple pregnancy (such as twins or triplets)
- there is too little or too much fluid in the womb
Most breech babies are born with no health problems. Occasionally a breech presentation can be a sign of a health problem.
Your baby will have a full newborn clinical examination at birth like all babies. They may need some extra tests of their hips.
Ultrasound scan of hips after birth
If your baby is breech after 36 weeks, they may need an ultrasound scan of their hips after birth. This is to check if the hips are in the correct position. Ask your paediatrician or GP about this.