Elara guides

Head-down, breech, and what it means

Your baby's position late on — and why it can still change.

As your due date nears, conversation turns to how your baby is lying. Most settle head-down ready for birth, but a fair number are breech (bottom or feet first) until late on — and many still turn. Here's what the positions mean and what can be done.

The positions

• Cephalic (head-down) — the most common and straightforward for a vaginal birth.
• Breech — bottom or feet first; common earlier, less so by term.
• Transverse — lying sideways; needs attention as the due date approaches.
• Anterior vs posterior — whether baby faces your back (easier) or your front (“back labour”).

It can still change

Before about 36 weeks, position matters far less — there's plenty of room and babies move a lot. Most flip head-down on their own by term. Don't read too much into an early scan saying “breech”; it's the position closer to your due date that counts.

If baby stays breech

Around 36–37 weeks, if your baby is still breech, your team may offer an ECV — a procedure where a clinician gently tries to turn the baby from the outside. If that's not chosen or doesn't work, you'll discuss options for a breech vaginal birth or a planned caesarean. Optimal-positioning exercises are popular but evidence for them is limited.

Your provider checks position by feel and, if needed, a scan in the last weeks — let them confirm it rather than guessing from kicks, and discuss your options together if baby is breech.