Breech Presentation

Breech presentation is a type of abnormal labor that occurs when a baby is not in the normal head-down position in the mother’s uterus during delivery. Instead, the baby’s buttocks and/or feet are positioned to enter the birth canal first, with the head of the baby either tilted back or down near its chest. This type of presentation can lead to more complicated childbirth and can even be dangerous for both mother and child if not handled properly. In order to ensure a safe delivery, it is important for doctors to be aware and prepared for breech presentation as soon as it is detected during prenatal ultrasounds or other tests. Regular monitoring throughout pregnancy can help identify potential problems early on, allowing medical professionals to come up with an appropriate plan of action before labor begins. While some cases will require cesarean sections, there are still a number of ways that breech presentations can be managed successfully through medical intervention or alternative methods. Please keep reading for details on the following topics:

Types of breech presentation

Signs that a baby is in breech presentation

How a breech presentation is diagnosed

How a breech baby appears inside the mother’s womb

TYPES OF BREECH POSITION

Frank breech. The baby comes out with the buttocks first and the legs stretched along the

Complete breech. The baby comes out via the buttocks as if sitting on both feet

Footling breech. the baby comes out via the buttocks and one or two legs presenting in the birth canal

Signs that baby is in breech position

Feeling kicking in the lower abdomen

HOW A BREECH PRESENTATION IS DIAGNOSED

The presentation of the fetus will be determined during abdominal palpation

The presentation of the fetus will be determined during an abdominal ultrasound

The presenting part will be palpated during a vaginal examination

HOW A BREECH PRESENTATION IS MANAGED

External cephalic version- the process of turning the fetus inside the womb by a trained health care professional

Postural management- adopting various positions to assist with turning the fetus

A planned cesarean delivery to deliver a term baby

Vaginal birth by an experienced health care professional if labor progresses before other measures have been attempted