What is the Breech Presentation in Delivery?
When a woman is pregnant, her baby will develop inside her uterus. The baby’s head will usually point down towards the woman’s pelvis, called a cephalic position. However, the baby may be in a breech position in some cases. This means that the baby’s bottom or feet point down towards the woman’s pelvis instead of the head.
Breech presentation can occur in any pregnancy, but it is more common in some than others. For example, it is more common in women carrying twins or other multiples. It is also more prevalent in women who have had a previous breech delivery and women who have had a baby breech in the womb (uterus).
Types of Breech Presentation
There are three types of breech presentation:
- Frank breech: The baby’s legs are bent at the knees and their feet close to their bottom.
- Footling breech: One or both of the baby’s feet are pointing down towards the woman’s pelvis.
- Kneeling breech: The baby is in a half-sitting position, with its knees bent and its feet near its bottom.
Read on to learn the risks associated with breech presentation in delivery.
The Risks Factors of Breach Presentation
There are several risks factors associated with breech presentation in delivery. Some of these include:
- The baby may not be able to fit through the woman’s pelvis, which could lead to the need for a C-section (cesarean section) delivery.
- Breech presentation increases the risk of complications such as umbilical cord prolapse, injuries to the baby’s limbs, dislocated bones, or broken bones.
If there is no correction of the breech position before delivery, there is higher risk of the baby being born in a transverse lie position (where the baby is lying sideways across the woman’s pelvis).
If the baby’s head is not pointing downwards, delivering the baby may be more challenging. The baby is more likely to suffer from birth injuries if delivered breech.
Common Birth Injuries Due to Breach Presentation
There are a variety of injuries that can occur during childbirth, many of which are due to the baby being in the breech position. Some common breech birth injuries include:
- Shoulder dystocia: This is when the baby’s shoulders get stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone during delivery. Shoulder dystocia can cause bruising and nerve damage to the baby’s shoulder.
- Fractured clavicle: This is a break in the collarbone when there is difficulty delivering the baby’s shoulder during breech position.
- Cephalhematoma: A cephalhematoma is a collection of blood between the skull and the scalp.
- Brain damage: Breech position can cause a lack of oxygen to the brain.
- Spinal cord injury: The baby’s head may get stuck at the neck, which can cause the baby to sustain a spinal cord injury.
If you believe that your child has suffered a birth injury due to being in the breech position, it is vital to seek medical attention right away.
How To Get Help After Your Baby Suffered a Birth Injury
Big cases require big resources. If you or a loved one has been affected by a birth injury, it is vital to seek legal help as soon as possible. The attorneys at our firm have extensive experience handling these complex cases and can fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today at (502) 244-7772 to speak to one of our lawyers today.