How to Flip a Breech Baby
Breech Presentation: What You Can Do About It
A breech presentation occurs when your baby is positioned head up in the uterus, rather than head down, as is typically preferred for birth. While it’s a common concern, I want to start by reassuring you: a breech presentation is a variation of normal! It doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong, but it does present a challenge for delivery.
In the U.S., many healthcare providers lack training and experience in delivering breech babies vaginally, which can leave you feeling limited to trying to flip the baby or preparing for a c-section. This is why understanding what might be causing your baby to be breech—and knowing what you can do about it—is critical.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the common causes of breech presentation and provide practical steps and exercises to help encourage your baby to flip. We’ll also touch on the importance of pelvic floor therapy during pregnancy, bodywork, and other supportive techniques you can try.
What Causes Breech Presentation?
Space is Key:
The baby moves and positions itself based on the available space within your uterus. The uterus is connected to your abdomen and pelvis by various tissues such as fascia, ligaments, and muscles. When these tissues are tight, imbalanced, or restricted, it can limit the space available for your baby to move. Limited space can result in the baby staying in a breech position.
The Baby Needs Space Inside the Whole Trunk:
It’s important to recognize that your baby is not just growing forward into your belly, but also needs space in the back—behind the rib cage and low back. Many women unknowingly carry extra tension in the back and pelvic area during pregnancy, which can restrict the movement of the baby.
Imagine this: if you’re standing or sitting with your pelvis compressed and your back tight, the baby won’t have the room they need to move into the proper position for birth. Instead, your baby may remain in a breech position because they’re limited by the tension in your soft tissues.
How to Encourage Your Baby to Turn
Making Room Below:
When the pelvic floor muscles are tight, the baby’s head (the largest part of their body) will have nowhere to go but up into your ribs. This can contribute to a breech position. Pelvic floor therapy during pregnancy is incredibly beneficial, as it can help assess and release tightness in the pelvic floor muscles, creating more room for the baby.
If you think your baby might be in a breech position, you can check yourself. Gently feel your belly and see if you can find a round shape (the baby’s head). If it feels bobbly, it’s likely the head. If it feels more firm and less mobile, it may be a shoulder or buttock.
Steps You Can Take
Reducing Muscle Tension
You’ll want to focus on reducing tension in specific areas to create more space for your baby to turn. These include:
Abdomen
Low back
Diaphragm
Pelvic floor
Buttocks muscles
Increasing Joint Space
The key areas to open up include:
The back of the rib cage
The top of the pelvis
The back of the hip joint
These exercises and movements are specifically designed to help release tightness in these areas and open up more space for your baby.
Daily Exercises to Encourage Your Baby to Flip
Here’s a routine that will help create more space in your body, allowing your baby to turn naturally. Make sure to follow these daily:
Hands and Knees Forward-Leaning Rocks on a Ball
This encourages the abdomen to relax and opens the pelvis.Bum Jiggle (Partner Assisted)
Have your partner gently jiggle your bum and thighs to help reduce muscle tension.Side Stretch with Arm Overhead
This stretch will help open the pelvis away from the rib cage.Pelvic Floor Release with a Tennis Ball
Sit on a tennis or lacrosse ball and gently roll over any tender spots. Pair this with balloon breathing to release muscle tightness.Forward Inversion (A Spinning Babies Technique)
This inversion helps encourage the baby to turn by changing the position of the pelvis.Yoga Block Rock Back
This stretches the back part of the hip and pelvic floor.Side Lying Hip Internal Rotation
Try this reverse clam shell exercise to work on hip mobility.
Exercises to Do Throughout the Day
Seated Figure Four
Sit and cross one ankle over your opposite knee, gently pushing the crossed leg down.Seated Hip Posterior Glides
This can help open the back of the pelvis and allow more space for the baby to move.Balloon Breathing
Focus on expanding your low back, rib cage, and pelvic floor during breathing exercises.
The Power of Massage and Bodywork
In addition to doing these exercises at home, it’s incredibly helpful to seek bodywork specifically targeted for breech presentations. A skilled practitioner can help mobilize the soft tissue around the uterus, diaphragm, pelvis, and pelvic floor, making the movements you do at home more effective.
I recommend seeking out a practitioner trained in Spinning Babies, or a chiropractor who specializes in the Webster technique. These methods aim to release tension in key areas, making it easier for your baby to move.
Other Helpful Tips
Sit with your knees lower than your hips to create space in the pelvis.
Use a super tall birthing ball for sitting.
Avoid sitting directly on your tailbone, as this can tighten the pelvic floor and reduce space for the baby.
Practice pregnancy resting by laying on your side with your ankles and knees supported.
How to Figure Out Your Baby’s Position
Belly Mapping is a simple way to determine your baby’s position. Notice where you feel movements: are they always in the same place, or do they move around? A head feels bobbly, while a shoulder or bottom is more firm and immobile.
Consider getting the mobility of your uterus assessed by a pelvic therapist, or confirm the baby’s position with an ultrasound.
Final Thoughts
While there’s no guaranteed method for turning a breech baby, the exercises and techniques outlined here can significantly help create more space and improve the chances of your baby turning. Ultimately, it’s important to remember that there are many factors that can influence your baby’s position—some of which are beyond your control, such as placenta placement or umbilical cord position.
If your baby remains breech despite trying these strategies, you will know you’ve done everything you could. And regardless of the outcome, taking the time to care for your body and understand your pelvic floor health is incredibly empowering.
Remember: You are your baby’s best advocate. Your efforts to create space in your body not only help your baby but also strengthen your connection to the process of pregnancy and birth.
If you need more guidance or want personalized help with your breech baby or any other pregnancy-related concerns, feel free to reach out here. I offer one-on-one coaching and pelvic floor therapy to help you navigate your pregnancy journey with more confidence and ease.
Cheering for you every step of the way!
