Why is a transverse baby a labor challenge?
Although it is possible for a breech baby to be safely born vaginally, it is almost always impossible for a transverse baby to be born vaginally. The baby is not able to fold himself in such as way as to fit a doubled up body with the shoulder coming first through the vagina. For this reason, caregivers will attempt a version to move the baby into a better position or schedule a cesarean surgery before labor is expected to happen, or will plan for you to have a cesarean when labor begins. Less than 20% of the babies who are transverse at 37 weeks will remain transverse when labor begins, so another option is to wait for labor to start and attempt to turn the baby or perform a cesarean if it is still necessary.
