Breech birth is a situation in which the baby does not present head first. The cause of the majority of breech babies is unknown. In some cases, it may be due to abnormalities of the structure of the uterus (womb), prematurity, or problems in neurological development of the baby. Most of the time when a baby is breech, the reason for it is never discovered and those babies are completely normal.
Most babies are breech at several times during a pregnancy. About three percent (3percent) of babies at term end up breech. The breech position itself is not dangerous, but it can complicate labor and delivery.
Breech babies can be delivered vaginally or by Caesarian-section (C-Section). The risk of complications in delivery of a breech is higher in a vaginal delivery. Some of these complications can be life-threatening for the baby. It is very important for your physician to assess many factors before giving the option of a vaginal delivery.
Caesarian-Section Delivery
In about 15 to 25 percent of deliveries, the baby is delivered surgically, via C-section. The mother will usually stay longer in the hospital after a C-section delivery, but can usually care for her newborn in every way as a mother who delivered vaginally.
After an uncomplicated C-section delivery, many women have the option of attempting vaginal birth in a subsequent pregnancy. Sixty to 70 percent of women who attempt a vaginal birth after C-section are successful. The problem is that almost one percent of women who attempt this can end up with a uterine rupture in labor. Whether or not a woman should try to deliver vaginally after a C-section is something to discuss with your obstetrical provider.
It takes about one to two months of the abdominal muscles to heal following a C-section, and most women will require about eight weeks to fully recover from a C-section birth, compared to about six weeks for a vaginal delivery.
