WHAT IS A BREECH BIRTH?
A breech birth is when a baby is born with the buttocks or the feet first. Most babies are in a head down (vertex) position when they are born. There are three types of breech babies:
• When the baby’s buttocks are showing first in the birth canal (vagina) with the legs straight up and the feet at the baby’s head (frank breech).
• When the baby’s buttocks shows first with the legs bent at the knees and the feet down near the buttocks (complete breech).
• When one or both of the baby’s feet are down below the buttocks (footling breech).
Some babies are breech early in the pregnancy, but turn to headfirst position toward the end of the pregnancy.
What are the risks of a breech birth?
Having a breech birth increases
A breech birth is when a baby is born with the buttocks or the feet first. Most babies are in a head down (vertex) position when they are born. There are three types of breech babies:
• When the baby’s buttocks are showing first in the birth canal (vagina) with the legs straight up and the feet at the baby’s head (frank breech).
• When the baby’s buttocks shows first with the legs bent at the knees and the feet down near the buttocks (complete breech).
• When one or both of the baby’s feet are down below the buttocks (footling breech).
Some babies are breech early in the pregnancy, but turn to headfirst position toward the end of the pregnancy.
What are the risks of a breech birth?
Having a breech birth increases