Breech Presentation Repositioning
Breech Presentation Repositioning
Occurring in about 3% to 4% of all full-term pregnancies, breech presentation refers to when the unborn baby in the womb is positioned with its bottom or feet facing downward instead of the head.
Most babies will turn for an optimal head-down birthing position until 36 weeks of pregnancy, but if not, two solutions will be opted for: a cesarean section around week 39 to avoid further complications or ECV (external cephalic version), an external method that involves an attempt to turn the baby manually.
Although in some cases, if certain conditions are met, breech babies may qualify for a vaginal birth, it is always considered a significant risk and is generally avoided in favor of a ECV or C-section recommendation.
By addressing this issue ahead of your standard medical plan you not only ensure that all possible actions to avoid an unwanted C-section and deliver naturally are considered. This Programme’s techniques and schedule also help you in providing relief for common lower back and sciatic pains, work on your baby optimal positiong in case of premature labour and stabilise its position in the womb until delivery.
Purpose
- The 10-day holistic Programme for repositioning breech presentation is a simple, safe, and highly effective daily routine designed specifically to increase the frequency of the unborn child’s movements and, consequently, the likelihood of its turning the head down toward the optimal birth position.
Alternative
The Western method for managing breech presentation involves a planned C-section, as breech babies are considered too risky for vaginal births. An additional option is External Cephalic Version (ECV), a potentially dangerous attempt to provide the baby’s turn manually. While this method can be effective, it is also uncomfortable for both mother and child and carries certain risks, such as premature labor or placental abruption. Therefore, it is performed in a controlled hospital environment where any possible complications can be immediately addressed. To minimise these risks associated with initiating birth, the procedure is most likely performed close to term, ensuring that complications related to prematurity do not put the child at risk.
It is common for Mothers who have undergone the Programme ineffectively to still have benefited from it by increasing the placenta’s capacity; Therefore, the ECV can be performed easier, with fewer complications and less discomfort.
Timing
- Weeks 33, 34, 35, or at the latest 36 (weeks 37 and 38 after an individual consultation). This early initiation of the procedure has two significant benefits. It is a time when the baby still has plenty of space to move, which adds to effectiveness. It also ensures that if the baby resists the turn, external methods remain an option.
Structure
A 10-day holistic program consisting of two reflexology treatments: one at the beginning and another in the middle (after the 5th day) for optimal results, along with a progress consultation.
A simple moxibustion instructions for regular day-to-day practice of 15 minutes twice daily (forty pieces of easy-to-use, smoke- and odorless stick-on moxa cones provided).
Body work
- Bridge position: Lie on the floor with your legs bent and your feet flat on the ground. Raise your hips and pelvis into a bridge position. Hold this position for 10 or 15 minutes several times a day.
- Child’s pose: Rest in the child’s pose for 10 to 15 minutes. It can help relax your pelvic muscles and uterus. You can also rock back and forth on your hands and knees or make circles with your pelvis.
- On all fours: While on a comfortable surface, get on your hands and knees to dangle your pregnant uterus, you can also rock back and forth or side to side.
Posture and movement considerations
A supported knee-chest position can be taken during the daily moxibustion task. This is done by kneeling and falling to your bent arms, so that you land on your elbows. By adding pillows under the chest you can relax into giving your body weight enterily to the gravity. This position lifts your uterus away from your sacrum and pelvis. If you feel that to much baby’s weight is given to your lungs and liver, add a pillow or two to find more comfort and balance.
Try swimming while allowing your belly to immerse completely in the water. Aim to maintain as flat position as possible. The hydrostatic pressure of the water and its buoyancy work miraculously to enhance the baby’s maneuverability.
Dietary considerations
- To enhance the likelihood of the Programme’s effectiveness and support an increase in the volume of amniotic fluid, it is important to stay well-hydrated throughout its entire duration. Three dietary fluids are particularly beneficial for this: miso soup, coconut water, and pear juice. Try to avoid coffee, which has diuretic properties.
Additional considerations
It is highly recommended to complete the entire 10-day Programme, regardless of whether and when the baby turns to the desired head-down position. This approach aims to ensure that the extra Yang pushed into the body in the form of heat solidifies the therapeutic results achieved.
If, after completing the 10-day Programme, the baby has not yet turned, and if time still allows (details will be agreed upon individually after your midwifery consultation), it is possible to extend the Programme for an additional five days of your homework practice, plus a third reflexology session. To honor your trust and dedication, in the event of further ineffectiveness, this extension will be offered at no additional cost*. To fully benefit from this, it is crucial to initiate the Programme no later than week 35.
*The offer applies to Mothers who initiated the Programme in weeks 33, 34 or 35 and it does not include Mothers with documented uterine anomalies such as fibroids, a bicornuate uterus, or previous Cesarean births. These Mothers fall outside the typical effectiveness of the Programme. This reduced response is linked to their medical background, as their babies, limited by physical uterine constraints, usually demonstrate a greater resistance to engagement.
Breech Presentation Repositioning
- 10-day-long holistic homework programme
- 2x 90 minutes foot reflexology treatment
- Moxibustion and pelvic tilt exercises
- homework instructions for your daily practice
- Suitable for pregnancy weeks 33, 34 or 35
- Up-to-date counseling throughout the entire programme duration
- Natural, non-invasive and complementary alternative to ECV (External Cephalic Version)
- Refund proportional to the number of treatments received in the event of premature labour
- 5 day long extension offered at no additional cost*
Twins and multiple pregnancies qualify for the Programme if the baby that will be delivered first (the lower one) is in a breech position and only if the babies do not share the same amniotic sac. Furthermore, the green light needs to be given from your primary health care providers.
Please remember that you are responsible for clear and unambiguous communication between all parties involved in your delivery. If something is not entirely clear, do not hesitate to ask. In some situations, I may request the right to direct communication with your midwife.
The ‘Breech Presentation Repositioning’ by Therapeutische Reflexologie is a complementary and alternative option to External Cephalic Version, in the sense that it provides the opportunity to work on the optimal positioning of your baby ahead of your standard medical plan, and it should never be regarded as its exclusive substitute.
If you no longer qualify for participation in the Programme due to the advancement of your pregnancy or other circumstances, and you do not choose ECV either but consider delivery in breech presentation, please request an individual consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is a breech baby "officially" diagnosed?
It’s normal for a baby to be in a breech position at some point during pregnancy. However, it becomes a concern as you get closer to 36 weeks, as many babies turn to a head-down position before then. During your third-trimester appointments, your midwife will check your belly to see if the baby is breech.
An official diagnosis and any additional considerations usually aren’t made until you reach 37 weeks. At that point, any methods other than forceful medical procedures, such as external cephalic version (ECV) and C-section, will likely be less effective due to the size of the baby and its limited space to move. Therefore, it’s crucial to take an active role and question the standard medical birthing plan with your birth care provider, as understanding your options can help you make informed decisions.
How late can a breech baby turn on its own?
Once the pregnancy reaches 37 weeks, the limited space in the uterus makes it unlikely for a baby to turn on its own. If a baby is still in a breech position at this time, your midwife will determine a time to schedule an external cephalic version or a C-section.
What are the challenges of birthing a breech baby naturally?
Birthing a breech baby naturally comes with some serious challenges and is rarely assisted. These challenges may include the risk of the baby’s arms or legs getting hurt, as well as the possibility of the baby’s head getting stuck during delivery once the lower body has already emerged. Additionally, the umbilical cord could become pinched or twisted, which may cut off the baby’s oxygen supply.
Due to these significant risks, an ECV or planned C-section is recommended.
Is a prior breech baby an indicator for another breech in the future?
Yes, having a prior breech baby may indicate a tendency for future pregnancies to also be breech.
Breech Presentation Repositioning
Occurring in about 3% to 4% of all full-term pregnancies, breech presentation refers to when the unborn baby in the womb is positioned with its bottom or feet facing downward instead of the head.
Most babies will turn for an optimal head-down birthing position until 36 weeks of pregnancy, but if not, two solutions will be opted for: a cesarean section around week 39 to avoid further complications or ECV (external cephalic version), an external method that involves an attempt to turn the baby manually.
Although in some cases, if certain conditions are met, breech babies may qualify for a vaginal birth, it is always considered a significant risk and is generally avoided in favor of a ECV or C-section recommendation.
By addressing this issue ahead of your standard medical plan you not only ensure that all possible actions to avoid an unwanted C-section and deliver naturally are considered. This Programme’s techniques and schedule also help you in providing relief for common lower back and sciatic pains, work on your baby optimal positiong in case of premature labour and stabilise its position in the womb until delivery.
Purpose
The 10-day holistic Programme for repositioning breech presentation is a simple, safe, and highly effective daily routine designed specifically to increase the frequency of the unborn child’s movements and, consequently, the likelihood of its turning the head down toward the optimal birth position.
Alternative
The Western method for managing breech presentation involves a planned C-section, as breech babies are considered too risky for vaginal births. An additional option is External Cephalic Version (ECV), a potentially dangerous attempt to provide the baby’s turn manually. While this method can be effective, it is also uncomfortable for both mother and child and carries certain risks, such as premature labor or placental abruption. Therefore, it is performed in a controlled hospital environment where any possible complications can be immediately addressed. To minimise these risks associated with initiating birth, the procedure is most likely performed close to term, ensuring that complications related to prematurity do not put the child at risk.
It is common for Mothers who have undergone the Programme ineffectively to still have benefited from it by increasing the placenta’s capacity; Therefore, the ECV can be performed easier, with fewer complications and less discomfort.
Timing
- Weeks 33, 34, 35, or at the latest 36 (weeks 37 and 38 after an individual consultation). This early initiation of the procedure has two significant benefits. It is a time when the baby still has plenty of space to move, which adds to effectiveness. It also ensures that if the baby resists the turn, external methods remain an option.
Structure
A 10-day holistic program consisting of two reflexology treatments: one at the beginning and another in the middle (after the 5th day) for optimal results, along with a progress consultation.
A simple moxibustion instructions for regular day-to-day practice of 15 minutes twice daily (forty pieces of easy-to-use, smoke- and odorless stick-on moxa cones provided).
Body work
- Bridge position: Lie on the floor with your legs bent and your feet flat on the ground. Raise your hips and pelvis into a bridge position. Hold this position for 10 or 15 minutes several times a day.
- Child’s pose: Rest in the child’s pose for 10 to 15 minutes. It can help relax your pelvic muscles and uterus. You can also rock back and forth on your hands and knees or make circles with your pelvis.
- On all fours: While on a comfortable surface, get on your hands and knees to dangle your pregnant uterus, you can also rock back and forth or side to side.
Postutre and movement considerations
A supported knee-chest position can be taken during the daily moxibustion task. This is done by kneeling and falling to your bent arms, so that you land on your elbows. By adding pillows under the chest you can relax into giving your body weight enterily to the gravity. This position lifts your uterus away from your sacrum and pelvis. If you feel that to much baby’s weight is given to your lungs and liver, add a pillow or two to find more comfort and balance.
Try swimming while allowing your belly to immerse completely in the water. Aim to maintain as flat position as possible. The hydrostatic pressure of the water and its buoyancy work miraculously to enhance the baby’s maneuverability.
Dietary considerations
- To enhance the likelihood of the Programme’s effectiveness and support an increase in the volume of amniotic fluid, it is important to stay well-hydrated throughout its entire duration. Three dietary fluids are particularly beneficial for this: miso soup, coconut water, and pear juice. Try to avoid coffee, which has diuretic properties.
Additional considerations
It is highly recommended to complete the entire 10-day Programme, regardless of whether and when the baby turns to the desired head-down position. This approach aims to ensure that the extra Yang pushed into the body in the form of heat solidifies the therapeutic results achieved.
If, after completing the 10-day Programme, the baby has not yet turned, and if time still allows (details will be agreed upon individually after your midwifery consultation), it is possible to extend the Programme for an additional five days of your homework practice, plus a third reflexology session. To honour your trust and dedication, in the event of further ineffectiveness, this extension will be offered at no additional cost*.
*The offer applies to Mothers who initiated the Programme in weeks 33, 34 or 35 and it does not include Mothers with documented uterine anomalies such as fibroids, a bicornuate uterus, or previous Cesarean births. These Mothers fall outside the typical effectiveness of the Programme. This reduced response is linked to their medical background, as their babies, limited by physical uterine constraints, usually demonstrate a greater resistance to engagement.
Breech Presentation Repositioning
- 10-day-long holistic homework programme
- 2x 90 minutes foot reflexology treatment
- Moxibustion and pelvic tilt exercises
- homework instructions for your daily practice
- Suitable for pregnancy weeks 33, 34 or 35
- Up-to-date counseling throughout the entire programme duration
- Natural, non-invasive and complementary alternative to ECV (External Cephalic Version)
- Refund proportional to the number of treatments received in case of premature labour
- 5 day long extension offered at no additional cost
Twins and multiple pregnancies qualify for the Programme if the baby that will be delivered first (the lower one) is in a breech position and only if the babies do not share the same amniotic sac. Furthermore, the green light needs to be given from your primary health care providers.
Please remember that you are responsible for clear and unambiguous communication between all parties involved in your delivery. If something is not entirely clear, do not hesitate to ask. In some situations, I may request the right to direct communication with your midwife.
The ‘Breech Presentation Repositioning’ by Therapeutische Reflexologie is a complementary and alternative option to External Cephalic Version, in the sense that it provides the opportunity to work on the optimal positioning of your baby ahead of your standard medical plan, and it should never be regarded as its exclusive substitute.
If you no longer qualify for participation in the Programme due to the advancement of your pregnancy or other circumstances, and you do not choose ECV either but consider delivery in breech presentation, please request an individual consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is a breech baby "officially" diagnosed?
It’s normal for a baby to be in a breech position at some point during pregnancy. However, it becomes a concern as you get closer to 36 weeks, as many babies turn to a head-down position before then. During your third-trimester appointments, your midwife will check your belly to see if the baby is breech.
An official diagnosis and any additional considerations usually aren’t made until you reach 37 weeks. At that point, any methods other than forceful medical procedures, such as external cephalic version (ECV) and C-section, will likely be less effective due to the size of the baby and its limited space to move. Therefore, it’s crucial to take an active role and question the standard medical birthing plan with your birth care provider, as understanding your options can help you make informed decisions.
How late can a breech baby turn on its own?
Once the pregnancy reaches 37 weeks, the limited space in the uterus makes it unlikely for a baby to turn on its own. If a baby is still in a breech position at this time, your midwife will determine a time to schedule an external cephalic version or a C-section.
What are the challenges of birthing a breech baby naturally?
Birthing a breech baby naturally comes with some serious challenges and is rarely assisted. These challenges may include the risk of the baby’s arms or legs getting hurt, as well as the possibility of the baby’s head getting stuck during delivery once the lower body has already emerged. Additionally, the umbilical cord could become pinched or twisted, which may cut off the baby’s oxygen supply.
Due to these significant risks, an ECV or planned C-section is recommended.
Is a prior breech baby an indicator for another breech in the future?
Yes, having a prior breech baby may indicate a tendency for future pregnancies to also be breech.