Breech means that your baby is lying bottom first or feet first in the womb (uterus) instead of in the usual head first position. In early pregnancy, breech is very common. As pregnancy continues, a baby usually turns naturally into the head first position. Between 37 and 42 weeks (term), most babies are lying head first ready to be born. Three in every 100 (3%) babies are breech at the end of pregnancy.
This information explains your choices for birth, should your baby be breech towards the end of pregnancy.
This patient information leaflet is based on the RCOG clinical guideline The Management of Breech Presentation, which contains a full list of the sources of evidence used to produce this guidance.
In line with the College process of reviewing all guidance every three years, this information is currently under review. The information in this version is still valid.