Breech Tilt
The Breech Tilt is a widely known inversion technique to help a breech baby flip to a head-down position.
Use this technique 1-3 times a day if you are told your baby is breech. You can start as early as 30-32 weeks and continue through to the time that you know that your baby is head down. Some doctors suggest starting later because most babies flip on their own. The Breech Tilt is not invasive. Ask your doctor if there is any medical reason not to do a Breech Tilt for your breech baby starting after 30 weeks. Alternatively, the Forward-leaning Inversion is recommended at any weeks gestation for any fetal position.
For more understanding, read the Inversion article in this section and Flip a Breech under Baby Positions.
The Breech Tilt
The Breech Tilt works on two Spinning Babies Principles.
Principle One of Spinning Babies - Balance.
The womb hangs from cervical ligaments stretching the ligaments slightly. When you get up the ligaments relax. With repetitions, this helps the lower uterine segment become more balanced.
Better Balancing Acts: The forward-leaning Inversion, Chiropractic with Websters. Use these activities together.
Principle Two - Gravity.
First gravity moves the baby onto his or her head. The weight of the baby's body now bends the neck to help the chin to tuck on the baby's chest (flexion). Tucking the chin helps baby flip, just as it helps a gymnist flip.
Also, the hips are encouraged to either come out of the pelvis or stay out of the pelvis.
After the chin tucks, the baby is ready to move head down- if there is room to get the head to swing down and there is room in the lower uterine segment to receive the head.
Get a broad plank of wood, like an ironing board. Prop it at an angle against the couch or a chair. A few pillows stuffed around the base will help prevent tipping. Another pillow goes under your neck. The funny thing is next. Lie on the board with your head down and feet resting on either side of the board on the couch. Try it a couple times to get it right.
Remain on the board for up to 20 minutes, 3 times a day.
The Forward Leaning Inversion
Before doing the Breech Tilt, I suggest doing the Forward-leaning Inversion (right) for 30 seconds first and then going ahead with the Breech Tilt.
Learn several steps to help a baby flip head down in Flip a Breech, on this website. Read About Breech to see what I think the causes of breech babies may be, whose doing vaginal breech births, and what the risks might be for breech.
Alternative to the Breech Tilt
In the UK and Australia, women are encouraged to do the Knee-Chest position for 10 minutes, 3 times a day. A study was done that showed improved rates of baby flipping compared to not doing some type of inversion.
Summary
What: The Breech Tilt
Why: To encourage flexion and to prevent engagement of the breech presenting baby.
When: 30 weeks to birth. Most women will do breech tilts daily, 3 times a day, from 34 weeks until the baby flips and use additional techniques during that time as well.
How: A sturdy board (shelf board, ironing board) is set so that the high end is 15-21 inches above the floor. A couch may help stabilize the top of the board while a pillow underneath may help it
When not to: If you have a head down baby, don't do this exercise to try to rotate a posterior baby, for instance.
Before: The forward-leaning inversion, Moxibustion, Other balancing activities such as rebozo sifting, chiropractic, etc.)
Next: If this doesn't work, please get professional assessment and help for aligning and balancing the pelvis. Increase minerals and chelated iodine (Prolamine iodine from Standard Process, seaweed, etc. See a professional for advice on iodine supplementation so that you don't toxify you and your baby, but rather nourish your thyroid.)
