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Every twentieth of us will hear before birth that the baby is in the breech position. This statement casts a shadow of fear and uncertainty. Everything had been perfect so far, no complications, the layette packed for many weeks in advance.Theoretically, between 32 and 38 weeks of pregnancy, the baby should take a position in which it will wait until the day of birth. Sometimes, however, the baby waits until the last days before birth. The position she assumes has a tremendous impact on the course of childbirth, determining the decision about caesarean or natural childbirth.
What provokes the incorrect positioning of the child?
It is difficult to determine all the reasons that result in the unusual position of babies before birth. Among the well-known causes are:
- Preterm delivery – every third newborn who assumes the breech position before birth is premature.
- Twin pregnancy.
- Narrow pelvis, along with little mobility of the child.
- Developmental defects – such as hydrocephalus, which makes it difficult for the child to take the head position.
- Uterus – oligohydramnios and uterine flaccidity predominate, preventing the spontaneous rotation of the fetus
Little acrobat
Most of us need not be afraid of this type of acrobatics. Apart from the eight percent of babies that are born, most await the turning point head-down. The least common, because in one percent of full-term pregnancies, babies are arranged across the uterus – this is the so-called transverse position. In the oblique position, the head rests on the mother’s iliac plate. Longitudinal pelvic births are among the most numerous. They take place when the child’s pelvis is directed towards the cervix. Not only the positioning of the body can cause difficulties. It happens that the child puts his feet to the mouth, or directs both feet down (complete foot position) or one foot (incomplete foot position).
Caesarian solution
If the child stays in gluteal position, it is highly likely that a caesarean section will be unavoidable. Very rarely – 0,005 percent of children in this position are born naturally. It is recommended not to expose the child unnecessarily to hypoxia or umbilical cord prolapse. On the other hand, 30-40 percent of children in pelvic position, despite attempts at natural childbirth, she is born by caesarean. If you have a narrow pelvis or the baby weighs more than 3,5 kg, a caesarean section with the wrong position of the baby is indisputable.
Childbirth with a turn
External rotation of childbirth is possible in 3/5 cases. It is performed around 37-38 weeks of pregnancy, and at the latest before delivery. Under the guidance of an ultrasound scanner, an experienced doctor puts his hands on the mother’s belly to try to gently turn the baby. Sometimes children return to the previous position. The doctor in charge of pregnancy can involve the mother in changing the position and recommend special daily exercises that will allow her to change the position.