dangers
Last reviewed 01/2018
A breech presentation carries risks for mother and foetus:
Maternal dangers:
- trauma
- infection
- haemorrhage
- lower segment caesarian section
- anaesthesia
Foetal dangers:
- trauma
- asphyxia
- death
The rate of cord prolapse with breech presentations is approximately 4%. The major contributor to this figure is the increased incidence of cord prolapse with flexed and footling breeches. The rate of cord prolapse with extended breech presentations is similar to that seen with vertex presentations (approximately 0.3%).
The perinatal mortality rate for breech presentations is 4-7 times higher than for cephalic presentations.