American photographer Karyn Loftesness has blown us away with this image in which we see a woman giving birth to her baby who came "breech"In the post that accompanies this exceptional photograph, Karyn affirms that in the United States it is very rare for an obstetric professional to assume the responsibility of attending a delivery of these characteristics; although “fortunately there are doctors and midwives who are not only experienced, but are dedicated to training others, to guide breech deliveries safely.
Karyn, who has 4 children, is passionate about childbirth photography, and is also hired to portray pregnancies and babies. The image has just been published, although it corresponds to a job from last summer that Loftesness will not forget. A “breech” presentation means that the pelvis of the fetus in a longitudinal position, is in contact with the superior strait of the maternal pelvis (according to this ProSego document).
It is usual for the fetus to carry out by itself a cephalic version between weeks 28 - 32 spontaneously, which implies a repositioning of the posture; later the version is also possible, in multiparous pregnant women (women who have already had children), or when there are polyhydramnios (excessive presence of amniotic fluid). Without going in (today) to tell you about the external version, or other aspects associated with the breech presentation last week 32, I would like to briefly introduce its classification:
- Presentation of pure, simple or frank buttocks; the fetus has the lower extremities extended in ventral flexion (feet at shoulder height). It occurs in 65 to 70 percent of cases.
- Complete breech presentation: you are sitting with your knees and hip joint flexed (increasing the diameter of the presentation); its frequency is very low.
- Incomplete breech presentation: One or both feet or knees are in the vagina, and prolapse of the feet or knees may occur during labor.
From a medical point of view, there are criteria for attempting vaginal delivery and for performing a cesarean section; Although taking into account the process, a vaginal breech and cephalic birth are triggered the same, only that in the first, the feet and buttocks will come out earlier. Theoretically, the posture is not the best to be born, because it implies a risk for the baby (for example because during childbirth, the cord is trapped).
En an article from EPEN, they quote dr. Emilio Santos, who points out that a safe breech delivery should be attended with some conditions: that the onset is spontaneous (unprovoked), without the Hamiltonian maneuver, that the mother is given time to dilate, and that other recommendations are respected ( such as not performing artificial bursa rupture, restricting vaginal examinations, monitoring to rule out cord prolapse, and encouraging the mother to position herself in the desired position). On the last point, note that in the image of Karyn the mother is giving birth on all fours (This favors the correct position of the baby's back).
"With the philosophy of favoring the pressure of the fundus of the uterus that helps to avoid misposition of the head and arms and that the baby is born by propulsion and never by traction" (EPEN)
Cover Image - Property of Karyn loftesness who has authorized us to reproduce it.
Picture - Pregmed