If you’re expecting a baby, you may have heard the term “breech baby” and wondered what it means. In short, a breech baby is one that is positioned bottom-down rather than head-down in the uterus, which is the typical position for a baby to be in before birth. This means that when the baby is born, their bottom or feet will be the first body part to come out of the mother’s body.
Breech babies are relatively common, with around 3-4% of babies being in the breech position at the time of delivery. There are several risk factors that may increase the likelihood of a baby being breech. These include women who have had multiple pregnancies, those who have had previous surgeries on their uterus, and those who have an abnormally shaped uterus.
When a baby is breech, it can complicate the delivery process and increase the risk of complications for the mother and baby. For instance, if the baby is in a breech position and does not rotate, there is an increased risk of the umbilical cord being compressed during delivery. This can be dangerous for the baby as it can cause oxygen deprivation, and in some cases, death.
Furthermore, when a baby is in a breech position, it can make it more difficult to deliver them naturally. This can increase the risk of a cesarean section (C-section) delivery, which carries its own risks. C-sections can be an important medical procedure in some cases, but they can lead to a longer recovery time for the mother and can also increase the risk of infection.
If a baby is in a breech position, the doctor may recommend external cephalic version (ECV). This is a procedure in which the doctor manually attempts to rotate the baby from the breech position to the head-down position. This is usually done with the mother under general anesthesia and is considered safe for both mother and baby. The success rate of ECV is approximately 50-60%, so it is not always successful.
If ECV is not successful, then a C-section may be recommended. If the baby is in a frank breech position (bottom first, legs straight up), then a C-section is usually the safest option. In some cases, a vaginal birth may be possible with a breech baby, but this is rare and depends on the baby’s position and the mother’s health and medical history.
In conclusion, if a baby is breech, it means that they are positioned bottom-down rather than head-down in the uterus. This can complicate the delivery process and increase the risk of complications for the mother and baby. Depending on the baby’s position and the mother’s medical history, the doctor may recommend ECV or a C-section delivery. Regardless, it is important to discuss all of the options with your doctor to ensure the safest delivery for both mother and baby.
we offer a variety of pregnancy scans for different phases of your pregnancy.We will be there for you from your first blood test (Beta HCG levels), to the Early Scan and Nuchal (NT scan) scans in your first trimester, to the Gender Scan, Dating Scan, Gender Scans NIPT blood test in your second trimester, and finally to meet your baby with our detailed 4D Scan in your third trimester.