The baby is constantly moving in the womb throughout pregnancy. In the early stages of pregnancy, the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby occupies a larger space compared to the baby itself. Therefore, the baby can be in various positions in the womb, turning and changing position. As pregnancy progresses towards delivery, the baby should assume a normal position, head down. However, sometimes the baby's position changes, with the buttocks below and the head above, meaning the baby is in a breech position. This situation... breech presentation It is expressed as follows.
What is breech presentation? What does it mean for a baby to be in a breech position?
The part of the baby that comes first at birth is called fetal presentation. As labor approaches, babies should normally present head first. However, in some cases, the buttocks or legs present abnormally. That is, if the buttocks are facing down instead of the head, this is called breech presentation. Breech presentation can be observed in %3-4 of pregnant women.
Why do babies lie upside down?
One of the important factors in breech presentation is gestational age. The younger the mother-to-be, the higher the likelihood of the baby being in a breech position. Besides gestational age, other reasons such as uterine abnormalities are also among the causes of breech presentation. Other causes of breech presentation are as follows:;
Reasons for Rectal Presentation
- Prematurity (early birth)
- Oligohydramnios (Decrease in Amniotic Fluid)
- Polyhydramnios (Increased Amniotic Fluid)
- Placenta previa
- Multiple pregnancies
- Fibroids
- Having previously had a breech delivery
- Uterine anomalies
- Pelvic tumors
Types of Rectal Presentation
There are three different types of breech presentation.
1. Pure Breech Presentation: The baby's thighs are drawn towards its torso. The knees are fully extended, and the feet are beside the head. Only the baby's buttocks are presenting first.
2. Complete Breech Presentation: The baby's legs and knees are both bent. The baby is in a cross-legged position.
3. Incomplete Breech Presentation: Also known as foot presentation. In this presentation, the leading part is the baby's feet, not the buttocks.
External Cephalic Version (Turning a breech-presenting baby so that the head is positioned externally)
Breech presentation babies can be turned to cephalic presentation in the later stages of pregnancy using external maneuvers. While these maneuvers were frequently performed in the past, they are no longer preferred today due to the risk of placental abruption, which can lead to the sudden death of the baby in the womb.
What is the appropriate delivery method for breech presentation?
If you're wondering if breech presentations can be delivered vaginally, the answer is yes, but it will be risky. Unfortunately, in normal vaginal delivery, breech presentations carry a higher risk for the baby. There's a risk of the baby's head getting stuck, which can lead to oxygen deprivation. Therefore, nowadays, cesarean section is more frequently preferred for breech presentations. If breech presentation is detected during pregnancy, I recommend continuing with regular checkups and discussing the delivery method with your doctor to reach a joint decision based on whether the baby turns or not.
Wishing you a healthy delivery…
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