Breech presentation is a fetal presentation in which the baby’s buttocks or feet enter the birth canal first instead of the head.
Types of breech presentation include frank breech, complete breech, and footling breech. Breech presentation is relatively common earlier in pregnancy, and many fetuses turn spontaneously to a head-down position before birth.
Management near term depends on factors such as the type of breech, gestational age, fetal and maternal condition, and available clinical expertise.
QUICK FACT
A fetus being breech earlier in pregnancy does not necessarily mean it will remain breech at birth. In fact, only about 3–4% of babies remain in a breech presentation at full term.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
- Fetal Presentation: the broader term describing which fetal part is positioned to enter the birth canal first.
- Fetal Position: describes the orientation of the presenting part within the maternal pelvis.
SEE ALSO