While most babies are in a head-down position in the mother’s uterus, about three in one hundred newborns have their buttocks, feet, or both positioned to come out first during birth (a breech presentation). If your baby has assumed a breech position, your obstetrician will recommend a Cesarean section as the best means of delivery.
The reason is because breech babies are more difficult to deliver vaginally, and complications are more likely to occur with a vaginally delivered breech baby. A doctor can determine the baby’s position by feeling the mother’s lower abdomen at particular points; the physician may decide to confirm the breech position by ordering an ultrasound or other tests.
With a breech presentation, your doctor may recommend a C-section if:
- Labour is not progressing normally.
- The umbilical cord comes out before the baby.
- The baby is not in complete or frank breech position.
A C-section, like any major surgery, has its risks, such as increased bleeding, pain, or infection. The recovery time is longer than vaginal childbirth, so expect to stay in the hospital longer. Once you go home, you will need to take it easy by avoiding any strenuous activities while you heal. Talk to your health-care professional about recovering from a C-section.
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