Boldly into the breech controversy
Addressing a long-simmering controversy, a large new study has shown that in pregnancies where the baby has positioned itself to emerge feet or buttocks first, the delivery safest for mother and child is a planned cesarean section, or C-section, rather than a vaginal birth.
In 3 to 4 percent of all pregnancies, the babies end up in the so-called breech position.
Some physicians have favored vaginal delivery for such babies because, like any major surgery, C-sections may lead to blood loss, infection, and other complications in the mother.