Doula

Answer: A - With an attendant who has experience and/or training, a baby in the breech position can be safely born vaginally. Most obstetricians, however, have lost the skill or have never been trained in this technique, and require a Caesarean for a breech presentation. The provider may try external cephalic version - a technique where the fetus is rotated from the outside of mom's abdomen with the guidance of ultrasound. This technique does have inherent risks, and is not always successful in the long-term. The provider might also suggest exercises the mom can do on her own to try to get the baby to turn from breech to vertex or cephalic presentation. Oxygen deprivation is a risk, and can stem from a greater likelihood of cord prolapse or extended compression of the umbilical cord, or from head entrapment.