Which posture should the mother adopt to facilitate a breech delivery?

Which posture should the mother adopt to facilitate a breech delivery?

• A. Face down with pelvis elevated
• B. Lying flat on the back with legs elevated
• C. Sitting upright with legs extended
• D. On all fours

Answer: (D)

For breech delivery, you want a position that uses gravity to help the baby descend and opens the pelvis for easier passage of the buttocks or feet first. Being on hands and knees (all-fours) accomplishes this by letting the abdomen hang forward, which increases pelvic space and aligns the presenting part with the birth canal. It also gives the clinician better access to assist and monitor for any cord issues. In contrast, lying flat on the back, sitting, or a face-down with pelvis elevated does not maximize pelvic outlet or gravity-assisted descent and can make vaginal breech delivery more difficult and riskier.

For breech delivery, you want a position that uses gravity to help the baby descend and opens the pelvis for easier passage of the buttocks or feet first. Being on hands and knees (all-fours) accomplishes this by letting the abdomen hang forward, which increases pelvic space and aligns the presenting part with the birth canal. It also gives the clinician better access to assist and monitor for any cord issues. In contrast, lying flat on the back, sitting, or a face-down with pelvis elevated does not maximize pelvic outlet or gravity-assisted descent and can make vaginal breech delivery more difficult and riskier.