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Ask A Midwife

Q. I am currently 37 weeks pregnant, and the babys head and feet are down. What does this mean and what are my options ?

A. This means that the baby is in a Breech position. Your provider probably is suggesting a 'version' protrude, which is a way of turning the baby to be head down. You can also do visualizations and positions to help turn your baby, and sometimes hypnosis.

Ask your health care provider if they can try a 'version'. If the baby remains foot down at labor, most providers prefer to deliver the baby by cesarean, or surgery. A few will allow a vaginal birth, but your provider can discuss the risks of this. Here is a collection of breech birth information, including the version:

Breech Babies

Pat Sonnenstuhl is a semi-retired nurse midwife with over 30 years of experience in health care (first as an RN, then as an ARNP, CNM). She has experience with hospital nursing/midwifery and home and birth center midwifery.

Two areas of special interest to her are GBS and nutrition.

She is about empowerment, and helping folks find their own answers, what is right for them, not what is right for her. But, she wants you well informed.