Why don't they deliver babies breech anymore?

Question

Everytime I hear about someone having a "breech" baby these days, they are all getting scheduled for inductions. However, my boyfriend's mother delivered both of her sons (my boyfriend and his brother) breech. In fact, my boyfriend was frank breech when he came out (That's butt first and then feet, not feet first). Why are they insisting these days that all breech babies must come out by c-section and back a few years ago, they just delivered them and they turned out fine?

Just to the second answerer....a baby's head getting squished may cause birth defects, HOWEVER it does NOT cause down syndrome. Down Syndrome is a chromosonal abnormality, not a mental disability that happens from brain trauma.

Answer 1

i was they dont deliver breech anymore because say the babys body comes out but the head wont fit thru (the largest part of the baby) then theres a major problem that can result in death.....with a regular head first once the head is out the rest of the baby will fit.....duno why but thats just what i was told at child birth class

Answer 2

Around here, for 'frank' breech they will allow you to go ahead with delivery if you choose, but monitor you for progress. Footling breech, as I had, are normally C section. Had he not been my first, they might've been more willing, and even still, the OB said that she'd let me try if I insisted, but detailed the risks, and said that if anything went wrong it would be an emergency C section and it would possibly be the type where they get the baby out as fast as possible, however possible.

I was breech, too. My mom delivered me naturally. I got stuck and they thought I wasn't going to make it. Imagine, delivering your baby, she gets stuck, and you watch her turning blue, unable to do a thing.

The risks of complications with delivering a breech baby are often, but not always, higher than they are for a C section.

By the way, frank breech is the most common, footling very rare, and much more dangerous to deliver. The mom risks tearing her cervix as contractions could force the baby's feet out before it's fully dilated. The head or bum in normal and frank breech presentations usually prevent the cord from prolapsing, but if it's just the feet and the water breaks, the cord may whoosh out too. Then contractions compress the baby against the cord. On its way out, a breech baby (especially a footling breech with delivery begun before full dilation) may have his arms over his head. This makes the shoulders much wider than the cervix, and one or both shoulders can get caught (probably what happened with me). There is a risk of the caught shoulder being dislocated, tearing of neck muscles, but also of having to do a catastrophic type of C section that may harm the mom's chances of ever having another child.

Most doctors aren't willing to take these risks, nor are many mothers. However some do, as truth-be-told, the risks are low.

(and Duckygirl, I tried a version. They're not very successful you're right - roughly 60%, and for some women very painful. Others barely blink. Scan through my answers for ECV questions, if you're curious about what they're like. They're risky, too, and should never ever be performed outside of a hospital. They had me prepped for a C section for mine, just in case)

Answer 3

It was once performed at all times, however I'm certain proceedings have converted that. While now not a given, delivery accidents are in most cases better with breech vaginal births and medical professionals don't wish to take that threat. At the very least, breech vaginals can imply the episiotomy from hell and rationale issues with the mummy (I've noticeable photos, it is the stuff of nightmares!). BTW, outside manipulation of the youngster is NOT constantly one hundred percentage triumphant, neither is it constantly riskless. Sometimes it may be particularly uncomfortable for the mummy, rationale fetal misery to the little one, and the youngster can traditionally simply transfer again into the breech function besides. In the case of a septate uterus (divided in 2) it may be harmful on account that there's a bodily abnormality of the uterus that precipitated the youngster to be within the breech function besides. This is why my son was once breech.

Answer 4

Apparently it's very painful for the mother and gives her a longer recovery time...think about it...if the baby is butt-first, you are going to tear! There's a good chance your mother in law had her sons before they had ultrasounds and could know the baby's position for sure. So I can see the pros of having a breech baby delivered via c-section.

However I DO think c-sections and inductions are pushed on women entirely too much these day. A woman's body is obviously capable of A LOT when it comes to childbirth, so why not give us a chance to do things naturally if we want, as long as our child's life is not endangered? Breech babies can often be turned, and many times they'll turn themselves if you let them go to full-term, but rather than give nature a chance to take its course, the baby is born via c-section. While there's nothing wrong with cesarean birth, I definitely want to have a go at it the natural way before just giving up and going under the knife. Inductions are a whole nother can of worms...lots of doctor just schedule births for women with no problems, just because they want to get it over with at 37 weeks rather than waiting. It's not a freakin' hair appointment, it is a natural process!

Answer 5

They schedule c-sections for breech babies, not inductions. Some doctors, if you're adament will try to turn the baby for you. This is quite painful from what I understand and not always successful.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends against planned vaginal breech deliveries. The risk of serious complications to the fetus are evident. While there are risks with a C-section, its higher with a breech (5 out of 100 with serious problems versus 1 out of a hundred). Aside from serious injuries, minor injuries with long term affects are a possibility. I had a friend growing up who could not lift her arm at all due to it being injured during a vaginal breech delivery.
The risks to Mom are also a consideration. The link provided has some good information including risks and when vaginal breech deliveries are advisable. http://www.webmd.com/baby/Vaginal-delivery-in-breech-position-and-breech-birth

Answer 6

Scheduling an induction isn't the same thing as scheduling a C-section.

Breech babies just have a higher rate of complications-- the stories you konw of seem anectdotal, which doesn't neccessarily imply that all babies can be born breech.

And yes, many docs still deliver breech babies vaginally... they just like to be more cautious sometimes.

Answer 7

Well my first was frank breech and I had a c section(8 years ago) he was stubborn and we waited till week 40 to give him an opportunity to turn no luck!! The doctor I have now actually turns babies the one I had back then did not and never really even acted as if it were an option I was young and I really didn't know any better I never woulda tried to deliver him butt first!!! But I woulda like for them to try to turn him!! Oh well !! I'm goin for vbac now!!

Answer 8

Dr's these day get paid good money for operations. And they don't want to take any chances . I has my 41 year old daughter. breech, butt first, (thank goodness ) she only weighed 5 lbs 1 oz . Babys today are generally much larger then that. Maybe it has to do with their mother diet, I don't know.

Answer 9

Why stress the baby when they dont have to anymore. A lot of the time they have to use forceps to extract the baby. My OB hasnt and wont deliver a breech baby.

Answer 10

The risks are higher for the baby and for the mom. It is much safer to have a c-section.