Breech Births
Most babies move into delivery position, with the head close to the birth canal, a few weeks prior to birth. Women who go into labor with their babies in the correct delivery position typically have an easier labor because the baby passes through the birth canal head first. This allows the baby to receive oxygen quickly without distress, allows for the baby’s body to squeeze through the birth canal without damaging the body, and allows the mother to avoid serious delivery complications. However, not all babies cooperate and move into the desired delivery position. Some babies’ buttocks and/or feet are positioned to be delivered first – referred to as “breech presentation”.
During the last three months, obstetricians continually monitor the baby’s position by placing their hands on the mother’s lower abdomen to locate the baby’s head, back, and buttocks. A baby that is thought to be in the breech position can be confirmed through ultrasound. While most babies are not in a compromised state in breech position, it is preferable to try to turn a breech baby in order to prevent the need for a cesarean delivery or before the mother goes into labor. If a mother goes into labor while the baby is still in the breech position, it can cause severe complications.
In a breech birth, the baby’s head would be the last part of the body to emerge. This situation can cause the potential problem of cord prolapse where the umbilical cord is squeezed as the baby moves toward the birth canal. The squeezing of the umbilical cord slows the supply of oxygen and blood to the baby, often causing distress to occur.
Most babies in the breech position are born via cesarean delivery. A cesarean delivery allows for the baby to be delivered from the mother’s body without the stress and complication of a high risk vaginal delivery. This is especially true for premature babies in a breech position. Babies that are premature are small and often more fragile, and because the head of a premature baby is relatively larger in proportion to its body, the cervix is less likely to be stretched properly when the lower portion of the body is birthed first.
Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates, P.A. provides complete obstetrical care including high risk obstetrics for our patients. Our physicians and staff are committed to mixing excellent medical care with the specialization for babies in the breech position. For high quality high risk OB services near Kennesaw, contact Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates, P.A. today.
