The unexpected diagnosis of breech presentation upon admission in labour affects approximately 1:100 women and presents an ethical dilemma for health professionals involved, particularly when this occurs in the context of midwifery-led care. This article critically examines current guidelines recommending caesarean section on the basis of available evidence, outlines factors which must be consi...

Over the last decade, there has been a loss in confidence and eroded skills due to the near universal policy of advising caesarean section in the wake of the Term Breech trial (Hannah et al 2000). Breech birth has been increasingly viewed as a complication, and management of the breech presenting baby at term has shifted firmly into the realm of obstetric practice in most parts of the UK. Small...

We report on two cases of prehospital initiated precipitated preterm deliveries with breech presentation, which were completed at the hospital. Case 1 involved a precipitated breech delivery in a multipara, and case 2 an unrecognizeddizygotic (diamniotic, dichorionic) twin pregnancy, with precipitated preterm breech delivery of the first twin, in a multipara.

BACKGROUND There is a global increase in rates of Cesarean delivery (CD). A minor factor in this increase is a shift towards CD for breech presentation. The aim of this study was to analyze breech births by mode of delivery and investigate short-term fetal and maternal outcomes in a low-income setting. METHODS The study design was cross-sectional and the setting was Muhimbili National Hospita...

BACKGROUND In many countries, planned vaginal breech birth (VBB) is a rare event. After the Term Breech Trial in 2000, VBB reduced and caesarean section for breech presentation increased. Despite this, women still request VBB. The objective of this study was to explore the experiences and decision-making processes of women who had sought a VBB. METHODS A qualitative study using descriptive ex...

OBJECTIVES To describe the incidence of breech presentation at 22-34 weeks' gestation, estimate the incidence of cesarean section delivery by cause of prematurity, and assess the factors associated with caesarean delivery in preterm breech births with preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of membranes. STUDY DESIGN EPIPAGE 2 is a French national prospective population-based cohort study ...

OBJECTIVES To review the physiology of breech birth; to discern the risks and benefits of a trial of labour versus planned Caesarean section; and to recommend to obstetricians, family physicians, midwives, obstetrical nurses, anaesthesiologists, pediatricians, and other health care providers selection criteria, intrapartum management parameters, and delivery techniques for a trial of vaginal br...

differences show that delivery by lower segment caesarean section is more dangerous when the fetus presents by the breech, even in the best possible circumstances. The greater likelihood of a low Apgar score might be due to an inherent abnormality which in itself had caused the breech presentation but perhaps is more likely to be due to respiratory efforts before delivery of the head. A mature,...