MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia:Breech - series: Complications of breech

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Medical Encyclopedia

Breech - series: Complications of breech

Breech - series
Illustrations:

Normal position of the baby

Breech presentation

Types of breech presentation

Complications of breech

Correcting breech

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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