Breech presentation can bring up a lot of questions, uncertainty, and fear for expecting families—especially when conversations quickly turn to C-sections as the default option. In this episode of The New Mom Talk Podcast, we take a closer look at the current ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) guidelines on breech presentation and vaginal delivery, and what they actually mean for parents navigating this situation.
Our guest, Dr. Elliot Berlin, is a pregnancy-focused chiropractor, childbirth educator, and host of the Informed Pregnancy Podcast. He is also the creator of Informed Pregnancy Plus, a streaming platform for pregnancy education, and One Way or a Mother, an audio docuseries that explores real birth stories in depth. With decades of experience supporting families through pregnancy and birth, Dr. Berlin brings a balanced, evidence-based perspective to this important topic.
In this conversation, we start by breaking down what ACOG stands for and why its guidelines matter when making informed decisions about birth. Dr. Berlin explains how ACOG’s stance on vaginal breech birth has evolved over time, including why access to vaginal breech delivery has become more limited despite updated guidance that supports it in specific situations.
We discuss the criteria providers may consider when determining whether someone is a good candidate for a vaginal breech birth, such as fetal position, gestational age, provider training, and birth setting. Dr. Berlin also shares insight into how accessible vaginal breech birth is today, why many families struggle to find supportive providers, and how parents can advocate for themselves when discussing options.
Finally, we explore the risks and benefits of planned vaginal breech birth versus scheduled C-section, along with practical ways parents can educate themselves and prepare mentally, emotionally, and physically—especially if a breech presentation is discovered later in pregnancy.
Whether you’re currently facing a breech diagnosis or simply want to be more informed about your options, this episode empowers you with knowledge, context, and tools to have confident, informed conversations with your care team.
Connect with Dr. Elliot Berlin:
- Official Website: https://www.doctorberlin.com/
- IG: @doctorberlin
acog guidelines breech birth, vaginal breech delivery, breech presentation pregnancy, vaginal breech birth risks and benefits, breech birth options, informed pregnancy podcast, dr elliot berlin, breech birth advocacy, pregnancy education, childbirth decision making
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