Can a Footling Breech Baby Flip Back Head Down?

There are lots of methods that people swear work but I tried a few of them (cold peas, laying with my legs elevated, music) and my "complete breach" son would not turn. I honestly think that if the baby wants to turn, he will. The only thing that really works is external version. I chose not to do it because I didn't know how hard a c-section would actually be (ignorance is bliss). It works for a lot of people but your time is running out to get it done. Speak to your doctor and good luck!

That's an interesting question, and I can't say I know any absolutely SURE methods. I always figured my short stature affected my dd's ability to flip - she waited too long, then I think when she tried to turn, she didn't have enough room. She was a really long baby too. I'm pretty sure that footling breech is one of the positions that cannot be safely delivered as breech, so if he's still footling when labor starts, your doctor will insist on a c-section. It's also about a 1-2% chance that this is how your baby will present. So, how to try to turn? Some suggestions from my Bradley coach: shine a light from your vagina, play music there, have your husband talk or sing to the baby from there, anything that might attract the baby's attention and make him want to get closer to the stimulus. You may also want to consider external version (where a doctor or midwife tries to push the baby into position from the outside of your stomach). The real risk here is that rough handling of the amniotic sac may rupture it, forcing you to have a preterm c-section immediately. The best way to prevent THAT is to make sure the person you choose to do the version is well-qualified, and has successfully done it many times.

I wish you luck. I wish with all my heart that I had known my dd was footling breech so I could have made these efforts myself. Do what you can, and even if nothing changes, at least you'll know you did everything you could. Feel free to PM me if you want. Best wishes!
-K.

A friend had a breech baby and her doc wanted to do a C-section, but she absolutely refused, and luckily had a doula present who massaged and worked (it took a few hours) until that little boy turned around and came out head first!

Spinningbabies.com is a wonderful resource for helping you find ways to work with your baby for optimal position for birthing.

My good friend had a VBAC and at onset of her labor, her baby was footling breech. Her midwife suggested she climb stairs- and it worked!! Not that it was fun to go up and down stairs in the midst of contractions, but it was well worth it to her for her peaceful natural birth.

At 34 weeks my son still hadn't flipped, so our childbirth teacher (also a doula) suggested the following things:
- Lying on an incline and rubbing my belly in large circles, which I did twice a day
- Standing on books and lighting candles under my pinky toes, which I did not do

My son did turn very quickly after starting the twice daily massages. I too wanted a natural delivery, but ended up with an emergency C-section. Be prepared for the section b/c if you need to have one you will experience some very crazy emotions after. I have talked with other moms who felt the same way!

Don't beat yourself up if you have a section. As long as you and the baby come out of it healthy, that's all that matters!

Contact a midwife--I'm from Oregon where midwifes and homebirths are fairly common and I know midwifes who have delivered footling-breaches and who have turned them so they would probably give you the best advice. Good luck.