Breech Position

Pictures of normal position and frank breech position of fetus

Pictures of normal position and complete breech position of fetus

Picture of normal position and incomplete (footling) breech position of fetus

A fetus with the buttocks, legs, or feet pointing down toward the cervix is said to be in breech position. Before birth, most breech fetuses change position so that the head points downward. But some fetuses stay in breech position late into the third trimester.

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerSarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerWilliam Gilbert, MD - Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Last RevisedJuly 25, 2011
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: July 25, 2011
Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
William Gilbert, MD - Maternal and Fetal Medicine

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