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Breech Position Delivery
As we've mentioned already, it's common for your baby to be in the breech position delivery early in pregnancy. However, when labor starts, only 3 to 5% of all babies, not including multiple pregnancies, present as a breech. Do your actions determine how your baby presents?

Certain factors make a breech presentation more likely. One of the main causes is the baby's prematurity. Near the end of the second trimester, a baby may be in a breech presentation. By taking care of yourself, you can more easily avoid going into premature labor. That gives your baby the best opportunity to change its position naturally.
Other factors that may result in a breech presentation include relaxation of the uterus because of previous pregnancies and multiple fetuses. Certain conditions, such as polyhydramnios, hydrocephalus and uterine abnormalities or tumors, may also increase the chance of a breech presentation.

There are different kinds of breech presentations. A frank breech occurs when the lower legs are flexed at the hips and extended at the knees. This is the most common type of breech found at term or the end of pregnancy; feet are up by the face or head.

With a complete breech presentation, one or both knees are flexed, not extended.
See image Breach Position

Delivering a Breech Baby
There is some controversy in obstetrics over the best method of delivering a breech baby. For many years, breech deliveries were performed vaginally. Then it was believed the safest method was to deliver the breech by C-section, especially if it was a first baby.

Many doctors believe a Cesarean section is still the safest method of delivering a breech baby. However, some doctors believe a woman can deliver a breech without difficulty if the situation is right. This usually includes a frank breech in a mature fetus of a woman who has had previous normal deliveries. Most agree a footling breech presentation (one leg extended, one knee flexed) should be delivered by Cesarean section.
Most doctors believe a baby in the breech position can probably be delivered more safely by a Cesarean section performed during early labor or before labor begins. Ask your healthcare provider what he or she normally does in this situation.
Attempts may be made to turn the baby from a breech to a head-down (vertex) presentation. It is more difficult to do this after your water breaks or when you are in labor.

If your baby is breech, it's important to discuss it with your healthcare provider. When you get to the hospital, tell the nurses and hospital personnel you have a breech presentation. If you call with a question about labor and you have a breech presentation, mention this information to the person you talk with.
Other Types of Presentations Another unusual presentation is a face presentation. The baby's head is hyperextended so the face comes into the birth canal first. This type of presentation is most often delivered by C-section if it does not convert to a regular presentation during labor.

In a shoulder presentation, the shoulder presents first. In a transverse lie, the baby is lying almost as if in a cradle in the pelvis. The baby's head is on one side of your abdomen, and its bottom is on the other side. There is only one way to deliver this type of presentation, and that is by Cesarean section.

During some breech vaginal births, an episiotomy is necessary to enlarge the vagina to help deliver the infant.