Published 9/3/2025

Certified Doula, Tayler Morrison, shares important information on babies who present in the breech position.

Surprise!

Picture this: you are 20 weeks pregnant, going for your anatomy scan, and you hear the words breech and cesarean. This can be a scary situation; however, knowing your options and that time is still on your side is a great start. At 20 weeks pregnant, you are halfway through your pregnancy; however, this means your baby still has quite a few weeks to flip, even if they are born early. In fact, most babies will flip to a head-down position by 32 weeks or so. It does not become a concern until 36 weeks, as at this point, you are approaching full term. Many providers will urge you to schedule a cesarean if the baby is breech at 36 weeks. However, there are trained providers who can deliver breech babies using a special technique. If you are looking for one of these providers, Breech Beyond Borders is a great resource.

Stretches and Exercises

While you are pregnant, there are many stretches and exercises you can do to better align your body and encourage the baby to flip. Simply walking for an hour a day, lying on your left side at night, and light stretching can be a great start. Spinning Babies is an excellent resource for more techniques. Having an understanding of your body and how it works is not only beneficial for this process but for birth as a whole. There is a good chance your baby may go back and forth between breech and head down from the beginning of your pregnancy till the end.

Last-minute Surprise

Occasionally, a baby may even flip while a mother is in labor. Having a doula on your birth team can be beneficial in this aspect, as she can help you guide the baby back to a head-down position. If you choose to have a cesarean for your breech baby, then that is also a very valid decision. Knowing all of your options and making an informed decision on what is best for you and your baby will leave you feeling empowered in your birth. If you do choose a cesarean for your breech baby, you can still hire a doula to support you, your baby, and your birth partner in this space. Simply knowing your options for breech birth is important in your decision-making process.

Story by Tayler Morrison for BlueWaterParent.com.

All content of BlueWaterParent.com is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.