Breech Flashcards
Breech presentation
Presenting part of the fetus is the legs and bottom
Ceohalic presentation
Head is the presenting part
Complete breech
Legs are fully flexed at the hips and knees
Incomplete breech
One leg flexed at the hip and extended at the knee
Extended breech (frank breech)
Both legs flexed at the hip and extended at the knee
Footling breech
A foot is presenting through the cervix with the leg extended
When is no intervention required for a breech presentation
Before 36 weeks as often turn spontaneously
When is external ceohalic version used
After 36 weeks for nulliparous women
After 37 weeks in women that have given birth previously
Options if ECV fails
Vaginal delivery - experienced midwife with access to emergency theatre
Elective Caesarean section
Comparison between vaginal birth and caesarean birth with breech presentation
Vaginal birth - safer for the mother
Caesarean birth - safer for the baby
Breech in twins
When the first baby in a twin pregnancy is breech, caesarean section is required.
External Cephalic Version
Technique used to turn a fetus from the breech position to a cephalic position using pressure on the pregnant abdomen
Success rate of ECV
50%
Tocolysis
Subcut terbutaline - used to relax uterus
Terbutaline
Beta agonist - reduces the contractility of the myometrium
