Is a breech delivery at term (37+ weeks) dangerous for me or the baby?
This has been a topic of controversy amongst Obstetricians for many years. There is now, following publication of one or two good studies, evidence that breech delivery is more dangerous for the baby than a ''cephalic'' (head down) delivery. This is because a breech baby is more likely to become distressed and require an emergency Caesarean. A breech baby is also more likely to get stuck in the process of delivering; this is especially dangerous if the head gets trapped by the pelvic bones and this can lead to serious disability or death. Thankfully this so called ''head entrapment'' is very rare. Overall, a Caesarean delivery is safer for the baby, but slightly more risky for you (as it is a major operation)than a vaginal delivery.