Breech Birth
You're expecting a baby. Here's what you need to know about the breech.
What is the breech?
Most babies take a position "head first" into the uterus, so they can exit the birth canal (vagina) this way. However, sometimes the buttocks or feet appear first baby during childbirth. This is what is called a breech presentation.
Why some babies, they find themselves in the breech presentation?
In many cases, there is no obvious reason to explain why the baby is in breech presentation. It may be that your baby is simply that this position is most comfortable for him. A partial list of factors that may explain why a baby is in breech presentation:
- onset of labor before 37 weeks
- excessive or inadequate health amniotic fluid around the baby
- uterus containing more than one fetus
- length of the umbilical cord
- size of the uterus
- irregularly shaped uterus or uterine fibroids presence of (non-cancerous growths attached to the uterine wall)
- certain physical abnormalities in the baby
A breech birth generally has no influence on long-term health of your baby.
The baby may be in one of the following three seat positions:
Breech: The legs are pointing up, and the baby's feet are near his head.
Complete breech: The legs are bent, and feet are level rash.
Seat footling: At least one foot is pointing down, so that the legs should come out first.
How does one give birth a baby in breech presentation?
Previously, it was common to deliver most breech babies by cesarean section, that is to say
by making incisions in the abdomen of the mother. Today, health professionals recommend that, in certain circumstances, we practice a traditional delivery (vaginal) in the presence of a baby in breech presentation. Vaginal delivery has benefits for the health of the mother, including faster recovery, less pain and better chances of vaginal birth in subsequent pregnancies.
When can a mother give birth to her baby by vaginal delivery?
It may be possible to give birth vaginally to a breech baby if your professional
Health has the training necessary to perform this type of delivery, and whether other factors related to birth are normal:
- Work more than 34 completed weeks
- The baby's weight is satisfactory
- The baby is in breech or complete breech
- You and your baby are healthy, and there is no presence of abnormal
What happens at birth vaginally seat?
When a baby is in breech presentation, delivery may be more difficult for him. The head is the widest part of the baby. As part of a normal vaginal delivery, the head comes out first, in the case of a delivery head, the head comes last.
As part of giving birth vaginally seat, you push your baby out of the birth canal until its legs and abdomen can be extracted. Then your health care provider supports the body of your baby for an assistant (nurse or midwife) based on your lower abdomen. This will facilitate the passage of the head of your baby in your pelvis as you push. In some cases, it is possible that the healthcare professional uses other maneuvers or forceps to facilitate removal of the head of your baby.
Even if you and your doctor decide to try a vaginal birth, it may be necessary to perform a caesarean section, for your sake and the baby, so work is not progressing properly. This is why a breech delivery should take place in a hospital, where it is possible to perform a Caesarean if it becomes necessary.
Under what circumstances caesarean section is recommended?
In the presence of a breech, your doctor may recommend a caesarean section if:
- labor does not progress normally
- the umbilical cord before the baby comes
- the baby is not breech or complete breech
Cesarean section, like any major surgery, involves risks (eg. Stronger bleeding, pain or infection). Recovery is longer than for vaginal delivery, so you should expect to be hospitalized longer. Once back at home, you must be careful to avoid any strenuous activity during the recovery period. Talk to your healthcare professional about the recovery period after a cesarean.
How do I know which position is my baby?
You probably will not know the position in which your baby in the womb. In fact, this is probably only to fi n of your pregnancy or in early labor as you learn that your baby is breech. A health professional will examine you afi n determining the position of the head, back and buttocks of the baby. They also practiced an ultrasound to confi rm the position. This technique produces an image of the baby inside the womb, you can see on the screen.
Changing the position of the baby
Most babies are set to "head first" over the last four weeks of pregnancy. However, if your baby is breech beyond your 36th week of pregnancy, your health care provider may attempt to return the baby, so that its head engages primarily in the birth canal. A technique called version is used to switch the baby gently so that his head is in the best position for labor and delivery. To perform this maneuver, your health care professional must place his hands on your abdomen and push or lift the baby. There you may be administering medication to relax your uterus and to facilitate the release.
During the maneuver, we will monitor your baby's heart rate, and it is possible that practice an ultrasound to check the baby's position. In very rare cases, the version may have a negative effect on the baby's heart rate or cause early labor. Your health professional will be willing to deliver your baby vaginally or by caesarean section, as appropriate.
Sometimes the baby back in the breech presentation. If you think your baby has changed position again, discuss it during your next prenatal exam. It is possible that your health care professional version tries again, but as the baby continues to grow in recent weeks of pregnancy, this means there is less room for maneuver in the uterus.
Finally ...
A breech birth does not necessarily mean that you will have a cesarean section. Your provider will help you understand the options available to you, so you can make the best decision for your health and the baby.