Caesarean 'should not be automatic choice for breech births'

International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Tuesday, 23rd June 2009

Physicians in Canada have been advised not to automatically opt for a caesarean if a baby is breech.

New guidelines from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada state that in some cases a vaginal breech birth can be safer.

The advice is based on a review of research and clinical evidence comparing the outcomes and safety of vaginal breech births and caesarean sections.

"Breech pregnancies are almost always delivered using a caesarean section, to the point where the practice has become somewhat automatic," said Dr Robert Gagnon, a principal author of the new guidelines and chair of the society's Maternal Fetal Medicine Committee.

He added that in some cases vaginal breech birth is a safe option, and obstetricians should be able to offer women the choice to attempt a traditional delivery if they wish.

The society has stated that some doctors could lack experience in vaginal breech births and therefore efforts must be made to make sure professionals have the necessary training.

Approximately three to four per cent of babies will be born breech.

Previous research published in the British Medical Journal and conducted at the University of Bergen in Norway suggested that babies are born breech due to genetic traits inherited from either their mother or fathe