A birth in which the baby proceeds through the cervix in a breech presentation, buttocks-first or feetfirst. At birth, most babies are in a head- down position, facing the mother’s spine; about 3 or 4 percent of babies are born in a breech position. A breech baby can be delivered vaginally, but a cesarean section is often performed if labor does not progress, the woman’s pelvis is too narrow for the baby to pass through it, or the baby shows signs of distress. The decision may also depend on the physician’s level of experience in breech delivery.
Delivery of the fetus that presents in the breech position (i.e., the buttocks are the first part of the body to be delivered). Also called breech extraction.
A birth characterized by the fetus assuming a buttocks-first position is known as a breech birth. It is not uncommon for fetuses to initially be in a breech position before reaching the 32nd week of pregnancy; however, the majority of them naturally reposition themselves by the 36th week. Nevertheless, approximately three percent of fetuses do not undergo this turning process and may present in one of three types of breech presentations: complete breech, where the fetus is tightly curled up; frank breech, where the fetus’s legs are extended with the feet near the face; and footling breech, where one or both feet rest above the cervix. It is worth noting that in many cases of twin pregnancies, one of the twins may also assume a breech position.
In situations where a fetus is in a breech presentation, healthcare providers may offer a procedure known as fetal version to reposition the fetus beyond the 36th week of pregnancy. This intervention is commonly suggested as it can facilitate a smoother childbirth process. However, there are instances where a caesarean section may be recommended for the delivery of a breech-presenting fetus.