If you're expecting a child, or even contemplating pregnancy, chances are good that someone has told you that the only way for babies to be born is head first.
But why is this? What is it about being head down that makes childbirth easier and safer for both mother and baby? And what happens when a baby decides they would rather enter the world feet first (a position known as breech) – can this pose serious risks for the mother and child?
Understanding The Ideal Fetal Position
At 36 weeks gestation (approximately eight months), most fetuses naturally assume an ideal cephalic presentation, where their head faces downward and their chin is tucked into their chest. This position allows:
- The smallest possible area of the fetal skull to navigate through during delivery
- A clear path between mother's pelvis bones
- More room within the uterus because baby's bottom rests in mother’s fundus, allowing more space for baby to move around
- Oxygen-rich blood from mom to come through unobstructed via umbilical cord
Overall, delivering a newborn headfirst theoretically lowers risk factors compared with feet-first deliveries known as breech presentation or Vaginal Breeze.
Why Is Breech Birth Riskier Than Head First Births?
There are several reasons why babies who present in breech face greater potential complications than those without.
Compromised Blood Flow
A forthright explanation suggests our bodies aren’t designed to handle pregnancies resulting in any position other than vertex means upright. Here’s why! As mentioned earlier, oxygenated blood flows easily from mom-to-be-babyvia umbilical chord under normal circumstances — with proper placement of said fetus' noggin ensures optimal flow. With inverted cephalic orientation; what usually follows on a physiological level is a slowed or compromised blood flow, putting baby at risk for hypoxia.
Higher Rates of Birth Trauma
Breech babies are more likely to experience “birth trauma,” which includes head injury due to fetus' cranium hitting mothers’ pelvis bones; broken collar bone etcetera. This can occur during delivery process with significant complications in some cases leading ton asphyxiation/Apgar score below 7 at 1 minute and consequent cerebral palsy diagnosis.
Cord Prolapse
As if that wasn't enough, babies born foot-first have a much higher incidence of umbilical-cord prolapse i.e., when the cord falls out before secession from mother’s womb creating a vacuum between internal body parts hence endangering both mother and child’s life. If not quickly addressed by obstetrician this could easily result in fetal death circumstances / severe brain damage known as cerebral palsy whereby symptoms including seizures and impaired motor function are prevalent.
Why Can’t We Just Deliver Breech?
The short answer? It's possible but trickier! There're few practical reasons why it may be beneficial to deliver breech:
- In medical emergencies wherein c-section couldn't happen quick enough so there's no choice left other than vaginal breeze
- When the expected weight,birth canal shape & size dictate that vaginal footing birth is safer.
Otherwise, breech deliveries involve substantially increased risks compared with cephalic ones; which culminate into disturbing statistics:
- Increased number of caesarean section deliveries required;
- Longer hospital stays (and sometimes neonatal ICU admissions);
- Emergency situations prompting preterm labor necessitating early induction (yet another risky procedure)
And these risks all come just because someone cannot bring themselves around towards entering feet first— seems like fair deal !
The Risks Of Flipping A Breech Baby To Headfirst Position
Before the advent of modern medicine, no interventions were available should a baby present in breech mode. Nowadays that’s not an issue as obstetricians can turn babies around to cephalic presentation via a procedure called EVC (External Version for Cephalic Presentation) thereby reducing odds of scenarios mentioned above. Though EVC is not devoid of risks, rendering it practiced only and exclusively by experienced obstetrician.
Not all fetuses are good candidates for this technique either; some will resist manipulation or refuse to change position, again presenting higher risk due to adverse effects instead listening to mother nature.
Potential Ways To Turn A Breech Baby Naturally
While physicians make every effort towards assisting natural labor ─ there’re few persistent myths about trying employing means other than consulting with medical professional:
Article Marketing Around Moxibution aka Burning Mugwort Leaves
Famous rumor has “Moxibustion” be the harbinger of receiving optimal fetal position whereby makes extensive usage dry mugwort leaves burn close mothers’ little toes on acupuncture points resulting closer tryst between unborn child & mommy!. Though it’s evident that moxibution/torching yourself/toxic smoke won’t deliver child safely wrapped , it had been reported effective if used early enough during pregnancy
Getting All Twisty With Yoga - Visualization Practices
They say yoga can birth miracles! Like being especially designed poses arms/headstands/resting amidst supported practice combating any chances present stale maternal pelvis while watching your cat nap midday? There may just be something in what they suggest after research conducted showed regular pelvic floor strengthening practices indicated higher success rates at turning over 70 % cases under study
all pieces considered floating newborns still inside woman's body regardless their orientation playing russian roulette where stakes couldn't come greater. If you're concerned about childbirth and its complexities additionally knowing breech complications seek specialized care from one our ordained specialists.