O32: Maternal care for known or suspected malpresentation of fetus

O32.1: Maternal care for breech presentation

In the final weeks of pregnancy, the child turns to the birth position. The child’s head then normally points downwards and lies in the mother’s pelvis. The child’s face usually faces the mother’s back and the child’s head is bent towards its chest. The child’s back is turned to the right or left side of the mother.

The breech position is when the child is not lying with its head towards the bottom. The child is lying with its head towards the top. Below it then are other body parts such as its bottom, feet and knees.

The child’s head is the part of the body which has the largest diameter. Normally, the head dilates the birth canal during birth. The other parts of the child’s body can then follow more easily. If the head is the last part of the body to pass through the birth canal, the birth canal may not be as well-dilated as usual. This can cause problems and, for example, make the birth take longer.