What is Breech Birth
Breech birth is when a baby is born with the buttocks or feet first. Most babies are in a head down (vertex) position when they are born. There are three types of breech babies:
- When the baby’s buttocks are showing first in the vagina (birth canal) with the legs bent at the knees and the feet down near the buttocks (complete breech).
- When the baby’s buttocks are showing first in the birth canal with the legs straight up and the feet at the baby’s head (frank breech).
- When one or both of the baby’s feet are showing first in the birth canal along with the buttocks (footling breech).
What are the health risks of having a breech birth?
Having a breech birth increases the health risks to your baby. A breech birth may cause the following:
- Umbilical cord prolapse. This is when the umbilical cord enters the birth canal ahead of the baby, before or during labor. This can cause the cord to become pinched or compressed as labor continues. This can reduce the flow of blood and oxygen to the baby.
- The baby getting stuck in the birth canal, which can cause injury or, rarely, death.
- Injury to the baby’s nerves in the shoulder, arm, and hand (brachial plexus injury) when delivered.
What increases the risk of having a breech baby?
It is not known what causes your baby to be breech. However, you are more likely to have a breech baby if:
- You have had a previous pregnancy.
- You are having more than one baby.
- Your baby has certain birth (congenital) defects.
- You have started your labor earlier than expected (premature labor).
- You have problems with your uterus, such as a tumor or abnormally shaped uterus.
- You have too much or not enough fluid surrounding the baby (amniotic fluid).
How do I know if my baby is breech?
There are no symptoms for you to know that your baby is breech. When you are close to your due date, your health care provider can tell if your baby is breech by doing:
- An abdominal or vaginal (pelvic) exam.
- An ultrasound.
What can be done if my baby is breech?
Your health care provider may try to turn the baby in your uterus. He or she will use a procedure called external cephalic version (ECV). He or she will place both hands on your abdomen and gently and slowly turn the baby around. It is important to know that ECV can increase your chances of suddenly going into labor.
For this reason, an ECV is only done toward the end of a healthy pregnancy. The baby may remain in this position, but sometimes he or she may turn back to the breech position. You and your health care provider will discuss if an ECV is recommended for you and your baby.
How will I delivery my baby if he or she is breech?
You and your health care provider will discuss the best way to deliver your baby. If your baby is breech, it is less likely that a vaginal delivery will be recommended due to the risks to you and your baby.
Your health care provider may recommend that you deliver your baby through a Cesarean section (C-section). A C-section is the surgical delivery of a baby through an incision in the abdomen and the uterus.
Summary
- A breech birth is when a baby is born with the buttocks or feet first.
- Having a breech birth may increase the risks to your baby.
- Your health care provider may try to turn your baby in your uterus using a procedure called an external cephalic version (ECV).
- If your baby cannot be turned to a head down position or if your baby remains in a breech position, your health care provider will make recommendations about the safest way to deliver your baby.
