Gynecologist explains what it is and what causes pelvic baby

During pregnancy, the preparation of the baby for the moment of delivery occurs as a process, usually, natural. This means that in the last trimester, the baby will settle down in the correct position inside the belly to be born. However, there are cases where the baby is positioned sitting on the mother’s belly, the so-called breech baby. And what is done when this happens? Check out the explanations of the gynecologist and obstetrician Regina Amarante from the São Camilo de São Paulo Hospital Network.

What is the breech baby?

Dr. Amarante explains that this condition concerns “the position of the baby in the maternal uterus, characterized by the location of the pelvic end of the baby in the lower part, that is, in the uterine cervix. The head is already in the uterine fundus. The cases are not so common and make up, on average, 3.5% of the total number of births, when it would be correct for the baby to be in cephalic presentation at the time of delivery, upside down.

What causes breech baby?

After the third trimester, the baby usually shifts to the cephalad position, more common for delivery. Regina commented that the exact causes of the breech baby are not known, but issues such as “increase in the volume of amniotic fluid, tumors of the uterus and ovaries, abnormalities in the length of the umbilical cord, twin pregnancy, uterine malformations, placenta previa and fetal developmental abnormalities.

How to know if the baby is sitting on the mother’s belly?

“By clinical examination, the obstetrician can palpate the abdomen and suspect that the baby is sitting, as the lower end of the abdomen will be larger. If there is already some dilation of the uterine cervix, the obstetrician can, through the vaginal touch exam, touch the lower parts of the fetus instead of the head “, quoted the doctor. However, she added that confirmation of the position of the breech baby is only done with obstetric ultrasound.

What can be done?

The obstetrician indicated that, when it is the first pregnancy, it is best to have a cesarean section. However, in cases of pregnant women who have had children before, normal delivery can be attempted through breech delivery or external cephalic version. Dr. Amarante explained a little about each of them.

breech delivery

Pelvic delivery is only performed in the presence of an experienced medical team that includes an anesthesiologist, obstetric nurse, obstetrician and neonatologist. Regina explained that this modality is performed in a hospital environment in case an emergency cesarean is required. “It consists of maneuvers to remove the baby’s feet or hips and then the rest of the body, with the child’s heartbeat being monitored every 5 minutes,” she detailed.

The doctor also commented that “it is a risky birth compared to normal birth. In addition to the risk of the baby getting stuck in the birth canal, the umbilical cord can be compressed and decrease the oxygenation sent to the child.”

External Cephalic Version (ECV)

Performed by the obstetrician, the procedure is totally external and performed after the 37th week. According to Regina, “these are maneuvers performed on the belly that aim to help the baby stay in the cephalic position. To ensure the success of the technique, the weight of the pregnant woman, obstetric factors, increase in the amniotic fluid index and, undoubtedly, the experience of the specialist are taken into account”.

She also mentioned that, despite being safer and with fewer risks compared to breech birth, the procedure is not indicated in cases of “prepartum hemorrhage, abnormal fetal monitoring, placenta previa, membrane rupture, twin pregnancy and any other condition.” another factor evaluated by the doctor that could be harmful to the mother and baby”.

Although pelvic baby cases are not so common, it is important to ask questions and follow up with your trusted obstetrician. Now, enjoy and also read the article about high blood pressure in pregnancy.