Breech Birth Flashcards
(34 cards)
What is ‘term’ defined as?
37-42 weeks’ gestation.
At term, what percentage of women will have a baby in a breech presentation?
3-5%.
At 28 weeks’ gestation, what percentage of women will have a baby in a breech presentation?
20%.
What is another term for complete breech?
Flexed breech.
In which variation of a breech presentation are the feet and bottom closest to the birth canal?
Complete breech.
In which variation of a breech presentation are one of the knees bent, so only one foot and the bottom are closest to the birth canal?
Incomplete breech.
In which variation of a breech presentation are the baby’s legs folded flat up against the head, with the bottom closest to the birth canal?
Frank breech.
What is the most common type of breech presentation?
Frank breech.
Frank breech presentations occur in what percentage of term breech births?
45-50%.
It is thought that frank breech presentations are common among which women?
Primigravidae.
In what variation of a breech presentation are the legs fully extended, with the feet closest to the birth canal?
Footling breech.
A footling breech is not to be confused with what?
A dropped foot.
What variation of a breech presentation will not deliver?
A footling breech.
In what variation of a breech presenation are the thighs extended, but knees flexed, with one or both knees closest to the birth canal?
Kneeling breech.
Does breech birth have a high incidence of recurrence?
Yes.
On antenatal abdominal palpation, where would the head be felt?
A hard, ballotable head would be felt at the fundus.
Where would you expect to auscultate the fetal heart in a breech presentation?
At or above the umbilicus.
A suspected breech is not an issue until how many weeks’ gestation?
36 weeks’.
If a breech presentation is confirmed on ultrasound after 36 weeks, women are usually offered what?
External cephalic version (ECV).
What drug is administered for an ECV? What is the dose and what is the route?
Terbutaline (250mcg) subcutaneous injection.
What are three risks associated with ECVs?
Cord prolapse, early rupturing of membranes and placental abruption.
What complementary therapies can be used to encourage movement of the fetus from a breech to cephalic presentation?
Homeopathy, acupuncture, moxibustion, reflexology and maternal positioning.
In a breech presentation, the gluteal cleft can be mistaken for what upon vaginal examination?
The sagittal suture (if membranes are intact).
If the breech is applied to the cervix asynclitically, what may be mistaken for the fetal skull upon vaginal examination?
The trochanter.
