I want to thank Oana and Ania for the question which is the theme of this newsletter.
If you are not yet 30 – 32 weeks pregnant save this for later. At this stage it is normal for some babies to be breech.
How can I encourage my breech presentation baby to turn?
This is a question I am often asked, as many babies take their time to settle down into position in the last few weeks. Most of them will spontaneously turn head down before labour, but from 34 weeks it can be a good idea to give a baby lying breech some encouragement.
Before then, I suggest walking an hour a day as gravity may help the baby’s head – the heaviest part of its body to drop down.
I have written a blog about exercises you may want to do from 34 weeks, so see the link at the end of this email.
An interesting website you could look at is ‘spinningbabies.com’.
I think the exercise kneeling down to the floor from the sofa is a good addition to the ones I recommend in my blog, but it is quite strong so have someone around to help you in and out of it slowly.
Here is the blog:
https://www.activebirthcentre.com/antenatal/exercises-to-help-your-breech-baby-turn/
The Active Birth Centre blog has some other good stories about breech babies – so take a look.
The main aim is to prevent the baby’s bottom from engaging and getting stuck into the pelvis with anti-gravity positions such as kneeling forward from all fours with your head down. This will relax the uterus and give him or her space to turn.
Once you notice more activity and a change in baby’s movements, stop doing the exercises and get a check-up to see if baby has moved.
Best results seem to be when the exercises are done several times a day. Let us know how you get on with these suggestions and all the best,
Janet
Disclaimer
Active Birth is designed for mothers who wish to give birth naturally and have had a healthy pregnancy and no medical complications during labour and birth. Aspects of an Active Birth can also sometimes be used in combination with medical interventions. The website and newsletters offer general information only. They are not a substitute for the professional advice, diagnosis or treatment offered by your midwives or doctors. The Active Birth Centre/ Janet Balaskas in general, accept no liability for the guidance herein, and advise that you do not disregard professional medical advice and inform yourself with other trusted evidence-based sources of information when making your decisions.
