Understand Conditions of Breech Birth

In the entire duration of pregnancy, the fetus needs to have freedom of movement within the uterus. Due to this need, the amniotic fluid plays a vital role in order to ensure this. However, because of the increase in size of the fetus especially when it reaches 32 to 36 weeks already, restriction of movement is unavoidable. With that said, it could be generalized that whatever the position of the baby inside the uterus upon reaching the 32nd week, this would most likely be the position of the baby by the time the mother would give birth.

For a majority of childbirths, it is a head presentation that would lead to a smooth vaginal delivery. However, in situations where the feet or buttocks is presented first, a breech birth is to be prepared for. Here are conditions where breech birth is at hand.

• For scenarios where the buttocks comes first. This poses a risk for the both the baby and the mother. This is called the frank breech birth. Once the buttocks starts passing through the birth canal, the legs of the infant is folded in front of it. This would lead to a difficult exit. Thus, the mother would undergo longer labor and have more stress on her breathing and heart as well.
• Once the body has been exited, it is expected that the smooth exit would end once the neck portion of the infant is reached. Once the exit is halted by the size of the head starting at the jaw, the baby would be at risk of strangling by the vaginal canal. Such instances would need bigger tearing of the perineum in order for the infant to pass right away.
• Unlike the situation of a vertex delivery, the head comes first, since the head is the largest part of an infant’s body, it is certain that when the head passes through the birth canal, the rest of the infant’s body will certainly smoothly pass. The head, unlike the buttocks, can mold when passing through the birth canal. This aids the mother in smoothly delivering the baby.

It would be best if a regular maternal checkup could be done as well as ultrasonography to anticipate such a condition for vaginal delivery.