Apples for Health- Vaginal delivery a breech birth option

Vaginal delivery a breech birth option

MONTREAL, June 19 (UPI) -- Canadian doctors say research shows vaginal delivery may be possible for some breech births.

Members of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada say they changed their guidelines to reflect a comprehensive review of research and clinical evidence.

"Breech pregnancies are almost always delivered using a Cesarean section, to the point where the practice has become somewhat automatic," principal author of the guidelines Dr. Robert Gagnon of McGill University in Montreal said in a statement.

"What we've found is 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."

The society members urge health professionals, universities and hospitals work together to ensure everyone is prepared to accommodate women choosing to try a breech vaginal delivery.

They caution a vaginal birth is not recommended for some types of breech positions and in the case where a vaginal delivery is an option, it should take place in a hospital setting and an experienced obstetrician should be present to attend the deliver and be prepared to offer a Cesarean if complications arise.