Delivery of breech baby through vaginal delivery is difficult but not impossible. Read on to know delivery options of breech baby and performing breech delivery.There is only one way out to meet the world, but sometimes, the baby may be positioned the wrong way and this is the breech position. Here we shall try and explore this position and delivery method in this case.
Different Types of Breech Positions
In ideal delivery cases the baby position herself head down in your birth canal. However, in 3-4% cases babies are still positioned with their heads up. Here we shall discuss about some of the breech positions:
- Frank breech is one of the most common breech positions, when the baby has her bottom down with legs upward and feet close to her head.
- Complete breech is the case when she has her head up and bottom down and she sits in a crossed leg position.
- Footling breech is the case when she has her head up and one foot hanging down.
Vaginal birth becomes highly difficult in these cases. However, in some cases, the doctor may take certain action to change positions of your baby.
What Can be Done?
In case your baby does not turn naturally even by the 37 week of pregnancy, he or she may suggest external cephalic version or (ECV).
In this process the midwife or your doctor shall hold your stomach and push your baby in a downward position gently. You will also be given medicines to relax your uterus. While this whole process may appear uncomfortable but it would not be painful. The good news is, in most of the cases this offers a positive outcome.
However, in some cases, babies may again get back to the breech position and your doctor shall try again to bring her back in the heads down position. However, this process becomes difficult as you near your due date, as there is little room left for the baby to move.
In case the membranes of yours have not ruptured yet, your doctor shall attempt a version before the delivery. However, you shall be too late for the versions, if you have reached the full term and in case your water has broken.
Delivering a Breech Baby
If your baby is still in the breech position on the day of the delivery, here is what your doctor shall do. Take a look below:
How is a breech baby delivered?
A vaginal breech
labour progresses in the same manner as a normal labour until the second stage. It is considered a trial labour and is allowed to proceed as long as it progresses normally. In a breech birth, the buttocks are delivered first, then the legs. For the head to be delivered, an episiotomy would be needed, as this is the largest part of the baby's body. At this point the doctor might use forceps and give you an epidural in case he or she needs to perform an emergency caesarean section.
Does breech baby necessarily mean a C-section?
No. If the baby is in the complete breech or footing breech (where one leg dangles down), or if the baby's head is extended upwards, then a vaginal delivery will not be attempted at all. The doctor would recommend a caesarean section straight away.
Is Vaginal Birth Possible with Baby in Breech Position?
In 90% of the cases research show babies are born with a
C-section in this case. However, in some cases your midwife or doctor shall try to assist you in vaginal birth even in this case. Vaginal breech becomes possible in the following cases:
- In case your baby is a full term and is not very big in size.
- If there is sufficient room for your baby in your pelvis and may safely pass through.
- If you had not experienced any complications before such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes.
- If your baby does not show any signs of distress.
- In case you have twins and one of them is positioned head down the other is in the breech position.
- If the healthcare provider is experienced in performing breech delivery.
Cases of complication or chances of injury to the baby generally increase in case of vaginal birth. So, let the doctor decide what shall be best for you.
So, you need to be flexible about your
delivery option if your baby stays bottom down. Thus, it is a good idea to talk about the different delivery options and stay prepared for the day.
Though you may feel bit disappointed when things do not turn out the way you planned, you shall be overjoyed with the arrival of your little one.
How is delivery of breech baby done? Is vaginal delivery possible for breech baby? What are the risk factors associated with breech delivery? Discuss here. 
