TOP 5 BREECH BIRTHING POSITIONS

TOP 5 POSITIONS FOR BIRTHING BREECH BABIES

5. Sitting with knees up to chest.  This is the way I birthed my breech in the hospital and how most hospital breeches are delivered. 

4. Leaning torso on surface.  Being able to relax your upper body on a bed or birth-ball or person while your hips and pelvis are free can give the extra support needed as mama bears-down during pushing.  It is counter pressure and assists baby moving through the birth canal.

3. Squatting.  Incredibly, in some cultures this is the most common way to birth!  The deep, deep squat all the way to the ground opens up mom's body and opens the cervix and vaginal passage. It is very primal, natural and effective.

2. Standing upright.  I have witnessed upright breech births and the gravity helps bring baby down efficiently.  The attending midwife may want to position herself crouched with her hands underneath mama to be able to catch babe. 

1. Hands and knees.  This is my preferred position for birthing breech babies and the one I used for two of my births.  I loved being able to press my hands into the bed as I pushed baby out and also to relax my chest and arms back down onto a pillow when needed.  It is a position where you can shift and adjust to use gravity in your favor.

Image by Cecilia Rignell @ceciliarignell on Instagram

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