Most babies will settle into a position for birth during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy and, for most, it’s a head-down position. About 3-4% of babies choose a breech position. This means that the baby is in a position where their bottom, legs or feet are in your pelvis instead of head first.
Breech Positions

Complete Breech

Incomplete Breech

Frank Breech
Turning Your Baby

Birthing Your Baby Vaginally
In an uncomplicated pregnancy, the option of a vaginal birth will be offered to you. There are some factors that may mean this may not be the safest option for you, such as:
- If your baby’s feet are below their bottom (picture of baby’s feet at bottom)
- If your baby is estimated as either small or large on a scan
- If the position of your baby may make birth more difficult, for example, if their head is tipped backwards
- If you have a low-lying placenta
- If you have been diagnosed with a condition called pre-eclampsia
Vaginal breech birth does carry more risk than a baby being born head first, and it is important you discuss these potential complications with your maternity team before you decide how you wish to birth your baby.
A successful vaginal birth carries the least risks for you, but it carries a small increased risk of your baby dying around the time of birth.
A vaginal breech birth may also cause serious short-term complications for your baby. But these complications do not seem to have any long-term effects on your baby.
Risks are individual and should be discussed with you by your healthcare team.
Birthing Your Baby by Planned Caesarean Birth

Your maternity team will support you to make a plan for your birth if your baby remains breech at the end of your pregnancy. If you are ever unsure about the choices available, please ask your maternity team to discuss them with you further.
Explanation Point
Term | Description |
---|---|
Scan | Ultrasound scans use sound waves to build a picture of the baby in the womb.A person who carries out a scan of your baby is called a sonographer. |
Muscle relaxant | A drug given via an injection to relax muscles, making turning your baby easier with less restriction. |
Low-lying placenta | As your pregnancy progresses, your womb expands and this affects the placenta's position. The area where the placenta is attached usually stretches upwards, away from your cervix. If the placenta stays low in your womb, near to or covering your cervix, it may block the baby's way out. |
Pre-eclampsia | A condition that affects some pregnant women, usually during the second half of pregnancy (from 20 weeks) or soon after their baby is delivered. Early signs of pre-eclampsia include high blood pressure (hypertension) and protein in your wee (proteinuria). |
Caesarean birth | An operation to deliver your baby through a cut made in your tummy and womb. The cut is usually made across your tummy, just below your bikini line. |