{"id":739,"date":"2022-02-14T00:24:22","date_gmt":"2022-02-14T06:24:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americanpregnancy.org\/?p=739"},"modified":"2022-03-08T10:36:10","modified_gmt":"2022-03-08T16:36:10","slug":"breech-presentation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americanpregnancy.org\/healthy-pregnancy\/labor-and-birth\/breech-presentation\/","title":{"rendered":"Breech Births"},"content":{"rendered":"
In the last weeks of pregnancy, a baby usually moves so his or her head is positioned to come out of the vagina first during birth. This is called a vertex presentation. A breech presentation occurs when the baby\u2019s buttocks, feet, or both are positioned to come out first during birth. This happens in 3\u20134% of full-term births.<\/p>\n
The causes of breech presentations are not fully understood. However, the data show that breech birth is more common when:<\/p>\n
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A few weeks prior to the due date, the health care provider will place her hands on the mother’s lower abdomen to locate the baby’s head, back, and buttocks. If it appears that the baby might be in a breech position, they can use ultrasound or pelvic exam to confirm the position. Special x-rays <\/a>can also be used to determine the baby’s position and the size of the pelvis to determine if a vaginal delivery of a breech baby can be safely attempted.<\/p>\n Even though most breech babies are born healthy, there is a slightly elevated risk for certain problems. Birth defects<\/a> are slightly more common in breech babies and the defect might be<\/em> the reason that the baby failed to move into the right position prior to delivery.<\/p>\n It is preferable to try to turn a breech baby between the 32nd and 37th weeks of pregnancy<\/a>. The methods of turning a baby will vary and the success rate for each method can also vary. It is best to discuss the options with the health care provider to see which method she recommends.<\/p>\n External Cephalic Version (EVC)<\/strong>\u00a0is a non-surgical technique to move the baby in the uterus. In this procedure, a medication<\/a> is given to help relax the uterus. There might also be the use of an ultrasound to determine the position of the baby, the location of the placenta and the amount of amniotic fluid in the uterus.<\/p>\n Gentle pushing on the lower abdomen can turn the baby into the head-down position. Throughout the external version the baby’s heartbeat will be closely monitored so that if a problem develops, the health care provider will immediately stop the procedure. ECV usually is done near a delivery room so if a problem occurs, a cesarean delivery can be performed quickly. The external version has a high success rate and can be considered if you have had a previous cesarean delivery.<\/p>\n Most health care providers do not believe in attempting a vaginal delivery for a breech position. However, some will delay making a final decision until the woman is in labor. In a breech birth, the baby’s head is the last part of its body to emerge making it more difficult to ease it through the birth canal. Sometimes forceps are used to guide the baby’s head out of the birth canal. Another potential problem is cord prolapse<\/em>. Most health care providers recommend a cesarean delivery for all babies in a breech position, especially babies that are premature. Since premature babies are small and more fragile, and because the head of a premature baby is relatively larger in proportion to its body, the baby is unlikely to stretch the cervix as much as a full-term baby. This means that there might be less room for the head to emerge.Can a breech presentation mean something is wrong?<\/h3>\n
Can a breech presentation be changed?<\/h3>\n
Medical Techniques<\/h3>\n
ECV will not be tried if:<\/h4>\n
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Complications of EVC include:<\/h4>\n
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Vaginal delivery versus cesarean for breech birth?<\/h3>\n
\nThe following conditions are considered necessary in order to attempt a vaginal birth:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
What are the risks and complications of a vaginal delivery?<\/h3>\n
\nIn this situation the umbilical cord is squeezed as the baby moves toward the birth canal, thus slowing the baby’s supply of oxygen and blood. In a vaginal breech delivery, electronic fetal monitoring will be used to monitor the baby’s heartbeat throughout the course of labor. Cesarean\u00a0delivery<\/a> may be an option if signs develop that the baby may be in distress.<\/p>\nWhen is a cesarean delivery used with a breech presentation?<\/h3>\n
\n<\/p>\nWant to Know More?<\/h4>\n