What is Breech presentation? And its types

 Breech presentation


Definition:

The presentation that the fetus is in longitudinal lie and the podalic pole presents at pelvic brim.

Types of breech presentation:

Breech presentation types

Complete flexed breech:

flexed at hips and flexed at knees.

the presenting part consists of two buttocks, external genitalia and two feet.

 it’s commonly present in multiparae(10%).

Complete flexed breech presentation

Incomplete Breech:

 due to varying degree of extension of thighs or legs at podiac pole.

 3 varieties possible: 

 » Frank breech ( breech with extended legs )

 » Footling presentation (25%) 

 » Knee presentation

Frank breech ( breech with extended legs )

 The thighs are flexed on the trunk and the legs are extended at the knee joints.

the presenting part consists of two buttocks and external genitalia only.

commonly present in primigravidae (70%); due to tight abdominal wall, good uterine tone and early engagement of breech.

Frank breech presentation

Footling presentation (25%) :

 both the thighs and legs are partially extended bringing legs to present at brim.

Footling presentation
Footling presentation 

Knee presentation:

Thighs are extended but knees are flexed, bringing the knees down to present at the brim.

Knee presentation
Knee presentation

Uncomplicated Breech:

 Defined as one where there is no other associated obstetric complications apart from breech, prematurity being excluded.

Complicated Breech:

              when presentation is associated with conditions which adversely influence prognosis such as prematurity, twins, contracted pelvis, placental praevia etc.

Extended legs, extended arms, cord prolapse or difficulty during breech delivery should not be called complicated breech but are called abnormal or complicated breech delivery.

Etiology:

Smaller size of foetus and comparatively larger volume of amniotic fluid allow the foetus to undergo spontaneous version by kicking movements until by 36th week when the position becomes stabilized.


Known factors responsible for breech presentation:

            »Prematurity

            »Factors preventing spontaneous version

            »Favourable adaptation

            »Undue mobility of foetus

            »Foetal abnormality


Prematurity

commonest cause of breech presentation.

» Factors preventing spontaneous version: 

           a) breech with extended legs

           b) Twins

           c) Oligohydramnios

           d) Congenital malformation of uterus like septate or bicornuate uterus

           e) Short cord; relative or absolute

           f) Intrauterine death of foetus


 Favourable adaptation:

         a) Hydrocephalous; big head can be well accommodated in wide fundus

            b) Placenta praevia

            c) Contracted pelvis

        d) Cornufundal attachment of placenta; minimizes the space of fundus  where smaller head can be placed comfortably.

» Undue mobility of foetus:

         a) Hydramnios

           b) Multiparae with lax abdominal wall

» Foetal abnormality:

            a) trisomies 13, 18, 21

           b) anencephaly

           c) myotonic dystrophy due to alteration of foetal muscular tone and                                                                                                           mobility.

Recurrent Breech:

                On occasion the breech presentation recurs in successive pregnancies. When it recurs in 3 or more consecutive pregnancies, it’s called Recurrent Breech.

Cause:

         » Congenital malformation of uterus; Septate or bicornuate

         » Repeated cornufundal attachment of placenta

  

Diagnosis:

clinical:
        a) Per abdomen
          b) Per vaginam
 Sonography:
It confirms the clinical diagnosis
It can detect foetal congenital abnormality
Type of breech
It measures biparietal diameter, gestational age and approximate weight of foetus
Localises the placenta
Assessment of liquor volume (Important for ECV)
Attitude of the head

Treatment:

Breech management




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