Frank Breech Pregnancy at 30 Weeks: Risks & Vaginal Delivery

Question
i had my ultrasound and found out that i have a frank breech now 30 weeks and 4 days. Is it risky? if ever i will deliver it to vaginal delivery, will my baby be born with birth defects?

Answer
Hi Jennifer,

You don't really need to be concerned especially as you still have a while to go in your pregnancy. Most breech babies turn head-down by the last few weeks of pregnancy. If your baby stubbornly remains breech as delivery approaches, you and your practitioner will talk about possible ways to attempt to turn your baby head-down and the best method of delivery. While vaginal delivery of a breech baby is possible, most practitioners prefer to deliver via a cesarean section instead. There are some things you can do to try and get your baby to turn around. Some women, for instance, say that simple exercises such as rocking on your hands and knees with your buttocks higher than your head will help persuade your baby to turn. I recommend doing pelvic tilts or kneel on the floor on your knees (keep them slightly apart), and then bend over so that your belly almost touches the floor. Try to stay in this position for 20 minutes three times a day, if you can. I also recommend moxibustion, a traditional Chinese treatment that combines acupuncture and burning herbs.

Being breech does not mean your baby will be born with birth defects. Good luck!