BREECH POSITIONED BABIES

If your baby is sitting, kneeling or hanging out sideways in your belly… Don't worry! It is not worth thinking about too much until your around 34 weeks of your pregnancy and they can and do even turn at 40 weeks.

Statistics show about 25% of babies turn to head down after the 28th week; of those about 85% will turn before term. Only 3-4% of babies are still breech at term.

For you the key to helping your baby to turn is RELAXING your body; TRUSTING yourself and your baby, and COMMUNICATION.

You want to communicate with your little one that your goal is to get her in the best position for birth. The more relaxed your abdomen and pelvis muscles are the easier it will be for her to turn. Keep both those ideas in your heart when doing the following exercises.

Setting the Scene

Use your breath, make sure you're comfortable and warm, do these exercises on an empty stomach.

Whenever possible float in a nice warm tub or get a massage before you start. Choose a time when the baby is awake so he can respond to what you are suggesting. Always talk to your baby and encourage her at the same time.

Don't forget to notice when your baby turns, and stop all treatment so you don't turn him back around again! 😊

"Anti-Gravity" EXERCISES

"Anti-Gravity" exercises describe how to take the weight and pressure of the baby off the pelvis area. This will help your baby move out of the pelvis in order to turn around. Usually we start these around 35 weeks' gestation; you can do it 3 times daily for 10-15 minutes each time.

It is recommended to raise your pelvis 10-15 inches above the head (head is then about 40 degrees lower than your feet) but don't worry too much about exacts.

⚠️ If you feel dizzy or have shortness of breath stop immediately.

Getting your pelvis above your head can be achieved a few different ways:

• Use a yoga block under your pelvis

• Knee-chest or Polar Bear

• The pelvic rock (Cat and Cow)

• Shoulder Stand (if it is in your yoga practice already)

• Somersaults or handstands in the pool!

Combine

I have seen the best results when antigravity exercise is combined with the stimulation of Bladder 67 an acupuncture point on the outside of the little toe at the corner of the nail bed. It is known to be the pressure point to support optimal baby positioning.

Get your partner to massage this point for 15-20 minutes either before or after you do your tilt or slant exercise.

If you have access to Moxabustion sticks, use Moxa on this point.

Visualization, Affirmations & Massage

It is important to know where your baby is in your belly ~ how she is positioned~ knowing where her back is will help you to be able to visualize her somersaulting to head down. It is not productive if you imagining her summersaulting in a direction she will not naturally roll.

For example she will not back up but roll forward.

Use coconut oil and softly massage your belly in the direction you want baby to move. Ask your midwife or doctor to help you learn how to tune in and feel her position yourself.

Print a photo of a head down baby and hang it on your bathroom mirror or any other place in the house where you will see it often. Every time you see it say an affirmation to yourself and baby like, 'my baby is moving into a perfect position for birth'.

Don't underestimate the power of visualization and affirmations!

Homeopathy

Pulsatilla is the Homeopathic remedy most commonly used for turning babies and is best used under the guidance of a licensed Homeopath.

Possible Emotional Connections

One theory is that babies who sit do so because they want to stay close to their mother's heart to comfort, support or reassure. Is there a reason baby might think you need comforting?

Spending time talking to your baby and be open the responses you might feel coming back thru your intuition. Did you have a 'startle' at some point in pregnancy? Witnessed a road accident, had a death in the family, feared for you or your babies safety?

Whatever comes up reassure baby and let her know you are ok. Tell her a head down position is optimal for both of you for birth together.

Encouraging the baby to turn, what else can be done?

• Play music with headphones low down on uterus near vagina

• Shine a very bright light low down on your uterus, or even between your legs.

• Have your partner talk to and encourage baby to turn around and to come towards his/her voice, do this low down on the belly or at your yoni

• Laugh and relax don't let baby position get you too anxious

• Elephant walking. Meaning walking on hands and feet

• Place a bag of frozen peas on the back side of the baby's head (babies tend to move away from the cold)

Supporting Cast

• Craniosacral Practitioner (alignment, connection)

• Hypnosis (think deep relaxation)

• Bowen Method (alignment)

• Chiropractor/Osteopathy (alignment)

• Acupressure I have a list of practitioners in Singapore please ask

Once the baby has turned how to keep in the vertex position?

First step is recognition!

The tailor sitting (cross legged) and squats are both great positions for keeping your baby low in the pelvis. If you are a frequent swimmer I would recommend staying out of the pool as much as possible, this 'anti-gravity' can be encouraging for babies who are prone to 'flip'.

And Sometimes….

If you have 'tried everything' and your baby did not budge then it is time to dive deeper into trusting the innate wisdom of your baby.

There could be a physiological reason keeping her there that we cannot see from the outside. You did nothing wrong.

She did nothing wrong.

Talk to your care provider about vaginal breech birth, it is an option.

Some of my most retold birth stories are bum first babies. If you cannot find a doctor to support you or if you are not feeling confident with this option please do remember going into spontaneous labor is a wonderful gift to give your baby. Breech on its own is not a really for induction.

If you haven't already visited www.spinningbabies.com I recommend you do so as it is a great resource.