What are the types of breech presentation?
1- complete breech
- flexed hips & flexed knees
2- incomplete breech
- Frank breech -> flexed hips & extended knees
- Footling -> partial extension of the hip & knee on one or both sides
- Knee -> extension of the hip & flexion of the knee
What are the causes of breech presentation?
Passages
- placenta Previa
- uterine fibroid
- uterine anomalies (bicornuate or septate)
Passenger
- prematurity
- polyhydramnios/oligo
- hydrocephalus
- frank breech -> legs act as splint
- twins
- IUFD
- macrosomia
What is the mechanism of labor in sacro-anterior position?
BUTT
1- bitrochanteric diameter (10cm) enters oblique diameter of pelvis
2- anterior butt reaches pelvis floor first & rotates anteriorly
3- anterior butt hinges below symphysis pubis & posterior butt is delivered first by lateral flexion of the spine
SHOULDER
4- biacromial diameter (12cm) enters oblique pelvis
5- anterior shoulder reaches pelvic floor first & rotates anteriorly
6- anterior shoulder hinges below symphysis pubis
7- posterior shoulder is delivered first by lateral flexion of spine
HEAD
8- head enters in opposite oblique diameter
9- occiput reaches pelvic floor first & rotates anteriorly
10- occiput hinges below the symphysis pubis
11- head is delivered in flexion
How is delivery of sacro-posterior position completed?
1- anterior butt & shoulder rotate anteriorly (45 degrees)
2- occiput rotates anteriorly (135 degrees)
3- occiput hinges below symphysis pubis
4- head is delivered in flexion
How is breech presentation diagnosed during pregnancy?
INSPECTION
- localized bulge in hypochondrium (head)
PALPATION
- fundal grip: head is felt
- umbilical grip: detect position of back
- pelvic grip: buttock is felt
AUSCULTATION
- FHS above the level of umbilicus
ULTRASOUND
- confirm diagnosis
- fetal head hyperextension -> angle between the fetal mandible & cervical spine is more than 105 degrees
- detect associated OB conditions
What should be done in vaginal examination of breech presentation during labour?
1- presenting part is diagnosed by palpating 3 body prominences -> 2 ischial spines + tip of sacrum)
- in complete breech feet are felt
2- dilatation of cervix -> slow
3- exclude contracted pelvis + ROM + cord prolapse
How is frank breech diagnosed during labour?
May be confused with cephalic
1- fundal level is lower (early engagement)
2- fundal grip: ballotment of the head is restricted due to extended legs
3- fetal heart sounds are at or below umbilicus due to early engagement of breech
Vaginal examination
- feet are not felt beside butt
Commoner in primigravida
How is breech presentation managed during pregnancy?
1- External cephalic version (36-37 weeks)
2- Depending on success of ECV
- If successful -> trial of vaginal delivery
- if failed -> C section
What is the reason behind the specific timing for ECV?
not before 36 weeks because
- breech may recur
- spontaneous cephalic version may occur
- preterm labour may occur
Not after 37 because
- less liquor
- uterus becomes more irritable
What are the complications of ECV?
What are the contraindications for ECV?
1- if C section is already indicated
2- antepartum hemorrhage
3- hypertension -> placental separation
4- diabetes -> macrosomic baby
5- Twins
When is Caesarian delivery indicated?
How is breech presentation managed during labour?
1st Stage
1- rest & proper analgesia
2- combat uterine inertia
3- avoid PROM
4- continuous monitoring of uterine contractions & FHR
5- partogram
2nd Stage
- decision of what type of delivery will be taken here
1- spontaneous breech delivery: only if she has good contractions
2- assisted breech delivery
3- breech extraction
What is the most common method of assisted breach delivery?
1- avoid traction before full cervical dilatation
2- episiotomy when perineum is fully distended by butt
3- legs are hooked out opposite to hip joints without any traction
4- pull down loop of umbilical cord to avoid compression & detect pulsation
5- when anterior scapula appears under symphysis pubis -> each arm is delivered by hooking finger in elbow & sweeping arm in front of chest
6- back is rotated anteriorly to keep it under symphysis pubis to ensure anterior rotation of occiput
Why is an episiotomy mandatory in breech delivery when perineum is distended by buttock?
What are the different methods for delivery of the after-coming head?
1- Burns-Marshall’s method -> only when occiput appears under symphysis infant is held from feet & body is lifted towards mothers abdomen
2- Jaw flexion-Shoulder traction method -> jaw flexion by left hand & shoulder traction by right hand
3- Pipers forceps -> prevents stretch of fetal head so it promotes flexion
- protects head from injury & sudden compression decompression
4- Kristeller maneuver -> gentle fundal pressure during contractions by assistant
- guides head into pelvis & maintains flexion
What are the indications for breech extraction?
What is the difference between assisted breech delivery & breech extraction?
ASSISTED
- no traction applied to legs until delivery of butt
- epidural or spinal
EXTRACTION
- traction is applied to legs to deliver butt
- entire delivery is done under general anesthesia
What is the technique for breech extraction?
What are the complications of breech delivery in mother?
What are the fetal complications that may occur with breech delivery?
FATAL
- intracranial hemorrhage
- fracture of cervical spine
- asphyxia -> cord compression & premature stimulation of respiration
- injury of abdominal organs
NON-FATAL
- fracture of femur & humerus
- dislocation of hip joint
- brachial plexus palsy
- sternomastoid rupture
How is fetal intracranial hemorrhage avoided?