Medical Encyclopedia

Medical Encyclopedia

Breech - series: Complications of breech

 Complications of breech

Breech - series
Illustrations:

  • Normal position of the baby
  • Breech presentation
  • Types of breech presentation
  • Complications of breech
  • Correcting breech
  • Other presentations
  • Other presentations
  • A prolapsed umbilical cord is common in breech deliveries. This happens when part of the umbilical cord slips down through the cervix before the baby does. The cord is then compressed during contractions, which cuts down on blood flow to the baby. An emergency cesarean section is usually needed.

    Update Date: 5/26/2008

    Updated by: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine; Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; and . Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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