Feb 11 2008
15 Ways to Turn a Breech Baby for a Natural Childbirth
At 39 weeks my baby was still breech. I was beginning to panic, as my midwife was talking c-section and that really was NOT the plan. I used a number of these 15 ways to turn a breech baby and had a natural childbirth.
Visualization ~ as with most things visualization will work with this too. Just close your eyes, take some deep breaths, relax and visualize your baby turning. The clearer you can make this visualization the better.
Swimming ~ Swimming is awesome, it not only helps keep your hips and pelvis loose, but it is like a gravity free zone which helps the baby turn.
Headstands in the pool ~ An excellent way to turn a breech baby. Doing headstands in the pool takes advantage of the gravity free zone as well as letting the baby float/turn in the right direction.
Breech Tilt ~ Get an ironing board or another flat surface. Rest the edge on a stable surface (couch, chair, bed) 12 to 18 inches off the ground. Lay with your head near the floor and your feet at the high end. Prop some pillows under your pelvis. Do this for 15 minutes 2 or 3 times a day until the breech baby turns.
Pelvic Tilt ~ much like the Breech Tilt but on the floor ~ Put some ice or frozen peas at the top of your tummy (you’re creating an aversion for the baby) Then prop pillows under your pelvis so it is tilted in the air.
Circular Massage ~ while you are in either of the tilt positions you can gently ~ like applying lotion ~ massage your tummy in circular motion. Use both hands. Start with one on the top of your belly the other on the bottom, move your bottom hand up toward the other and then move the second hand back down.
Light ~ Kind of like a cat chasing a laser pointer ~ take a strong flashlight and start at the top of your tummy, run the light around your belly toward your pelvis. The baby will follow the light thereby turning. (This is best done in conjunction with the Breech Tilt of Pelvic Tilt)
Music ~ This may sound crazy ~ but I’ve heard it works well for some. Take headphones and put them next to your pelvis. The baby will hear the music and turn toward it. Classical is best for this technique.
Feet up the Wall ~ this is similar to the tilts ~ you will lay on your back, walk your feet up the wall and then prop your pelvis up with some pillows. Do this 3x/day for 15 minutes.
Flower Essences ~ Bach Flower Essences can be a life saver for many issues. For turning a Breech Baby you will want to use Bach’s Bougainvilla Essence. Follow the instructions on then bottle.
Pulsatilla ~ A homeopathic frequently used to help turn breech babies. You can start using Pulsatilla as soon as you find out your baby is breech, but do not continue past 4 weeks from your due date. Your doula or midwife should be able to assist you in the use of Pulsatilla.
Chiropractic ~ There is a chiropractic maneuver called Webster’s Breech Technique. You will need to find a qualified and experienced chiropractor for this technique. Make sure to ask your chiropractor if they have experience in this technique before allowing them to work on you. Regular chiropractic care will help your pelvis stay open also allowing the baby more room to turn.
This is my favorite and the one that worked for my incredibly stubborn baby when nothing else did.
Moxibustion ~ This is an acupressure technique used with heat on a pressure point on your toe. My chiropractor showed me how to do it and gave me the moxa sticks. I then was able to do it home regularly until she turned. Here is a great article with pictures on Moxibustion. Placement of the heat is important that’s why I really like this article. You can also use the pressure point used in Moxibustion for regular acupressure whether with your fingers or a clothespin.
Acupressure ~ There are many pressure points in the body that will assist you not only with turning a breech baby but during labor and delivery. They can help open your pelvis, keep calm, help get labor started again if your labor stalls. All in all acupressure is a great thing to know during your pregnancy because you can do it yourself, and it can help with so many different things. If you are interested in using accupressure to turn your breech baby and use during labor and delivery you can download this guide right now and have it in your hands in a couple of minutes.
I hope this helps ~ I know I tried many things to get Hanna to turn. I think the fear that takes over ~ worrying about getting a c-section also hinders the baby moving, so stay calm and just know that you have a 96% chance your breech baby will turn.
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I am expecting my 4th, I am 30 weeks and the baby is breech at the moment. I know I should not worry as of yet but I am this baby has not moved out of the position for what seems like forever. This is noticable with the kicks never really changing place. My ob said that it is not a worry as there is so much room from the previous babies. But she is doing another ultrasound to be sure which I am not too happy with. I just want to make sure I have a natural childbirth with NO C-Section. Any advice?
Welcome Krista and Congrats!!! 4 wow! I can barely manage 1.
I would recommend ~ and realize I am just a mom, not a doctor or anything, getting a really good chiropractor and/or accupuncturist who has lots of experience working with pregnant women. My chiro also did accupuncture and I tried just about everything in the above article, it was only Moxibustion that worked for me. You can get moxi sticks on your own, but I felt a lot better having my accupuncturist show me how. (it was the first time I had even heard of such a thing 
) but it totally worked.
Good luck. Stop by the Natural pregnancy and childbirth forum and maybe other moms will have some more advice for you!
Jackie
[...] – Home (look under Techniques) Prenatal Breech Issues – from Ronnie Falc?o’s Midw Breech Babies 15 Ways to Turn a Breech Baby for a Natural Childb Now, specifically about lying down with legs up — I had the best luck with using my ironing [...]
I am 36 weeks.. is it to late?
Nicole!
No it’s not too late. My little monkey was still breech at 39 weeks. I would try some of these natural ways to turn a breech baby, and also if you can afford it I would find a good accupuncturist, who is familiar working with turning breech babies. You might also see if you can find someone who will give you moxi sticks. Those are what worked for me, and my VERY stubborn little one.
Good Luck,
Let me know how it turns out!!
Jackie
I am also in the same predicament. This is my second child. My first one was vertex early in the pregnancy. This one has seemed to go back and forth. She was breech alot throughout the pregnancy but then she turned vertex and stayed that way for some time. At 30 wks she turned on me again. I am now going on 34 wks and she is still breech. I am just so upset about this. I didn’t have to worry about this with my last daughter at all. I think about it all the time. I just want her to turn so badly. I am so scared she won’t and I will need a c-section. I am trying different exercises and they are not working. I see alot about the breech tilt. Is the success rate for this high?
I am expecting my 2nd, and just found out it is breech (frank) & we are also seeing a midwife and wanted a water birth at home. My 1st was frank breech unbeknownst to us so in we went for an emerg C-section. I am about 38 weeks now and have been trying everything this past week…..i am glad i found your site, it has given me some new hope that there still is time. I was starting to think that it is too late. The only thing I havent done is the acupuncture. Keep your fingers crossed and we’ll keep trying!
I’m at 37 weeks and this is my first child. The little guy is breech and to make matters a bit more interesting, I have a uturus didyelphus. My OB says she can try an aversion but does not feel that she can do any good and is trying to prepare me for a very unwanted C-section. I am on my second week of moxibustion therapy and continue to do knee to chest positions daily but with no turn around.
I was taken into hospital yesterday (39 weeks on Sunday) with suspected pre-eclampsia. Those fears now gone, but have discovered my allegedly cephalic, fully engaged baby is in fact breech (bum first). So am going to try what the things you’ve said here. Had a textbook hypnobirthing delivery with my first, so this is a bit of a shock, but I suppose I am lucky in that I am not frightened by a C-sec. Would just prefer not to have one. Booked for one next Friday if baby doesn’t turn (we’ve waited a long time for this little one) and whatever way gets it out safe and sound is fine by me.
But many thanks for all the advice – many here which had not been recommended.
Viv
Hey Viv,
Glad the list was helpful.I highly recommend finding an acupuncturist or chiropractor who can help you with moxibustion. That’s what did it for me.
Jackie
Perhaps this will help some of you…
I have 6 children, none of which were born in a hospital. The last was born under water (loved it, by the way!) We had 3 different babies breech at some point during the final month. The Moxi sticks worked EVERY time. However, after heating the points on my toes, I put the coffee table upside down on the couch w/one end on the arm of the couch and lay on my back for 30 minutes. It always worked w/in 3 tries. Also, keep doing alot (at least 50 each time) of pelvic rocks on all fours to encourage the baby to stay in the proper birthing position. Angels all around for all of you new moms!
I am now 32 weeks and my son is Frank Breech. He was turned until we were in a car wreck (rear ended by a lady going 45 and we were stopped). Do you think its to late for him to turn. This is my first and I am a little worried.
It’s never too late, well just about never
I’d find a good acupuncturist that can help you with moxibustion and acupuncture. That’s what finally got my stubborn little girl turned. (and she’s still just as stubborn 3 years later) 