Breech Delivery Health Article

Whether a breech baby should have a vaginal or cesarean delivery depends upon:

• the size of the baby;
• the training and experience of the obstetrician; and
• the risks faced by the breech baby, especially those risks associated with vaginal delivery.

Some experts believe that fetuses weighing less than 4.5 to 5 pounds should be delivered by cesarean section, due to the increased risks of the umbilical cord slipping into the birth canal, the baby's head being trapped by the cervix, and damage to the baby's spinal cord or arms during vaginal delivery. Others believe that these risks are exaggerated, claiming that in properly selected cases, babies weighing 3.5 pounds or more may be delivered vaginally with outcomes similar to cesarean deliveries. There is less argument about babies weighing 5 to 8.3 pounds because most studies suggest that vaginal delivery is not safe in most breech delivery cases.

Because the risks involved in a breech delivery depend so much on the baby's size and how far along the pregnancy is, this discussion has been further divided into Premature Delivery of a Breech Fetus, Vaginal Delivery of Breech Fetus and Delivery of Breech Second Twin fetuses.

An ultrasound image of the fetus in breech presentation should be taken in order to:

• detect any major structural abnormalities, since fetuses in breech presentation are more likely to have birth defects; and
• estimate the weight of the fetus to aid in delivery decisions.

Go to Premature Delivery of a Breech Fetus, Vaginal Delivery of Breech Fetus and Delivery of Breech Second Twin.