The correct spelling of a baby positioned with the buttocks or feet first is "breech baby." It is pronounced as /briːtʃ ˈbeɪbi/. The first syllable is pronounced the same as the word "breach," meaning a gap or opening. The second syllable is pronounced with a long "e" sound, and the final syllable is pronounced with a long "i" sound. This spelling reflects the origin of the word, which comes from the Old English word "briec," meaning "breeches" or "pants."
A breech baby refers to a situation where the unborn fetus is positioned in the uterus with its buttocks, feet, or both, facing downward towards the birth canal instead of the more typical head-first position. This position is considered atypical, as most babies naturally assume the head-down position towards the end of pregnancy.
A breech presentation can occur for various reasons, such as premature birth, multiple pregnancies, polyhydramnios (excessive amniotic fluid), or certain uterine abnormalities. It can occasionally be detected during routine prenatal examinations when the healthcare provider palpates the mother's abdomen. However, it is usually confirmed through an ultrasound examination, which provides a clear visual representation of the fetus's position.
The most common types of breech presentation include frank breech, where the baby's buttocks present first with its legs flexed at the hips and extended at the knees, complete breech, where both the baby's buttocks and feet present first, and footling breech, where one or both of the baby's feet present first.
In some cases, a vaginal birth may still be possible for breech babies, depending on certain factors such as the baby's size, position, and the mother's overall health. However, a cesarean section (C-section) delivery is often recommended due to the potential risks associated with a vaginal breech birth, including complications such as umbilical cord prolapse or entrapment, head entrapment, and the compression of the baby's umbilical cord, which can lead to oxygen deprivation.
The word "breech" in the term "breech baby" comes from Middle English "breche", which originated from Old English "brec", meaning "buttocks" or "lower part of the body". It has roots in the Proto-Germanic word "brekko", which also indicates "buttocks" or "hips". The term "breech baby" refers to a baby positioned in the womb with its buttocks or feet facing downward, instead of the typical head-down position.