A birth in which the fetus presents buttocks first. Many fetuses lie in a breech position before week 32 of pregnancy, but most of them turn by week 36. The 3 per cent that do not turn are in 1 of 3 types of breech presentation. A complete breech is one in which the fetus is curled up. In a frank breech, the legs are extended and the feet are close to the face. In a footling breech, 1 or both feet are positioned over the cervix. Sometimes, a mother with a fetus in a breech presentation is offered a procedure to turn the fetus around after week 36 of pregnancy. Often, one twin fetus is a breech. In some breech deliveries, a Caesarean section may be recommended.
Breech delivery |
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