Breech presentation
Breech Presentation
Breech presentation (/ˈbriːtʃ/; from Middle English breche, "the lower part") is a term used in obstetrics to describe the position of a fetus in the uterus where the buttocks or feet are positioned to descend through the birth canal first, as opposed to the normal head-first presentation.
Etymology
The term "breech" is derived from the Middle English word breche, meaning "the lower part". The term "presentation" in this context comes from the Latin praesentatio, meaning "to show, present".
Types of Breech Presentation
There are three main types of breech presentation:
- Frank breech: The fetus's buttocks are aimed at the birth canal with its legs sticking straight up in front of its body and the feet near the head.
- Complete breech: The fetus's buttocks are down, and the legs are folded at the knees and feet near the buttocks.
- Footling breech: One or both feet come first, with the buttocks at a higher position.
Causes
The exact cause of breech presentation is unknown, but it is more common in premature births, multiple pregnancies, and pregnancies with uterine abnormalities or low levels of amniotic fluid.
Management
Management of breech presentation can include external cephalic version, a procedure where the healthcare provider attempts to turn the fetus to a head-first position, or a caesarean section if the breech position persists or if there are other complications.
Related Terms
- Obstetrics
- Fetus
- Birth canal
- Premature birth
- Multiple pregnancy
- Uterine abnormality
- Amniotic fluid
- External cephalic version
- Caesarean section
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Breech presentation
- Wikipedia's article - Breech presentation
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