Delivering Breech Babies by C-Section

New Research Suggests It Is Safer to Deliver Breech Babies by C-Section

When a baby is in a breech presentation, a vaginal delivery is more likely to result in injury and death than a C-section delivery.  A C-section birth is generally considered the safer delivery option to reduce risk of birth trauma or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.


What is breech presentation?

A breech presentation is when the legs or buttocks of the baby are positioned to descend the birth canal first.  There are four different breech positions.

  • Frank breech: This is when the baby’s buttocks present first, and her legs are flexed at the hip and extended at the knees, with the feet near the ears.
  • Complete breech: In this position, the baby’s hips and knees are flexed so that the baby is sitting cross-legged, with feet beside the buttocks.
  • Footling breech: In footling position, one or both feet come first, with the buttocks at a higher position than the feet.
  • Kneeling breech: This is when the baby has one or both legs extended at the hips and flexed at the knees.
Delivering Breech Babies by C-Section: Medical illustration of fetal presentation

Delivery for a breech position baby

When a baby is in a breech position, labor can be prolonged because physicians usually try to manually maneuver the baby into the normal, head-first position. This is done by pushing the baby into place from outside the mother’s abdomen. Prolonged labor puts a baby at risk of suffering oxygen deprivation and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

If a baby cannot be maneuvered into head-first position, vaginal delivery should only be attempted if the baby is in the frank breech position and the following conditions are met:

  • The baby’s heart rate is being closely monitored and the baby is not in distress.
  • Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) is not present; x-rays and ultrasound show that the size of the mother’s pelvis will allow a safe vaginal birth.
  • The hospital is equipped for and the physician is skilled in performing an emergency C-section.

If these conditions are not present, vaginal birth should not be attempted. In fact, most experts recommend C-section delivery when the baby is in breech presentation because it is the safest method of delivery and it helps avoid birth injuries.

C-section for breech presentation (breech babies)

Breech Presentation And Birth Injuries

Birth injuries from mismanaged breech presentation can cause trauma, brain bleeds, oxygen deprivation, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), seizures and cerebral palsy.

Complications that often occur when a baby is in breech position include the following:

  • Umbilical cord prolapse or compression: This is an emergency situation that occurs when the baby’s umbilical cord becomes compressed as the baby’s body descends through the birth canal. This can partially or completely cut off the supply of oxygen-rich blood going to the baby. A baby with a compressed cord must be delivered immediately in order to prevent oxygen deprivation and brain injury.
  • Nuchal cord: This is when the cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck. Nuchal cord is also an emergency because the knots that occur with this condition can partially or completely occlude the flow of blood from the umbilical cord to the baby. In addition, the cord can put so much pressure on the baby’s neck that blood flow to the baby’s brain is significantly decreased. This lack of oxygen to the brain puts the baby at significant risk of HIE and permanent brain damage.
  • Fetal distress: Sometimes the forces and pressure of a difficult labor cause the baby to be deprived of oxygen and in distress. When fetal distress occurs, the baby must be delivered immediately by C-section in order to prevent conditions such as HIE and cerebral palsy.
  • Traumatic injury: Injury to the brain or skull may occur during the passage of the baby’s head through the birth canal, or the spine or spinal cord may become injured due to improper positioning of the baby by the physician. Furthermore, attempts to position the baby can damage internal organs, or the brain may bleed, which can cause oxygen deprivation.  The head may also get caught in the birth canal, and this can cause brain bleeds and hemorrhages. All of these conditions can cause HIE and cerebral palsy.
  • Forceps injury: Sometimes forceps are used to assist in delivery of the baby’s head. There are many injuries associated with this risky delivery instrument, which resembles a pair of salad tongs. Improper placement of the forceps can cause compression of the head, spinal cord injury, tearing of the vasculature in the brain, and brain bleeds and hemorrhages. The brain can swell, which can lead to seizures and ischemia. All of these conditions can deprive the brain of oxygen and cause HIE and cerebral palsy.

Causes of breech presentation

Although the causes of breech presentations are not fully understood, there are predisposing factors that appear to make breech presentation more likely. These include:

  • Premature births or a history of premature delivery
  • Previous breech presentation
  • Multiples pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.)
  • Amniotic fluid levels: Too much amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios) or too little amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios)
  • Uterine anomalies such as an unusual shape or fibroids
  • Placenta previa (the placenta grows in the lowest part of the uterus and covers all or part of the opening to the cervix)
  • Small pelvis or uterus
  • Fetal abnormalities

Trusted National Birth Injury Attorneys

Did your baby suffer an injury as a result of complications from a breech birth? If your child was diagnosed with a birth injury, such as cerebral palsy, a seizure disorder or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), the award-winning birth injury lawyers at ABC Law Centers can help.  We have helped children throughout the country obtain compensation for lifelong treatment, therapy, and a secure future, and we give personal attention to each child and family we represent. Our nationally recognized birth injury firm has numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements that attest to our success and no fees are ever paid to our firm until we win your case.

  • Free Case Review
  • Available 24/7
  • No Fee Unless We Win

Video: Breech Presentation

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