Breech births are births in which the baby is not in the "normal" birthing position. Instead of being head down, the child has it's head at the other end of the womb. A footling breech is when the baby's feet are first rather than the head. A "Frank Breech" is when the baby's butt is first in place of the head. Most people, among these people are doctors and midwives, believe a breech birth to be impossiable, or more difficult than a birth with the baby in a head down position, however I think this is untrue if it's handled correctly.
In a hospital setting, a breech birth is more likely to be approached with a caesarean section. Many studies have "proven" this to be the best option for a breech birth, however it has been proven that there have been no unbiased studies on breech birth conducted. However because a baby is breech does not mean that a vaginal birth is impossiable. In the United States the standard treament of a breech baby is a caesarean but the rise in cesareans have not made any improvment in the outcomes of the babies. Sometimes the baby is "turned" before labour begins in an attempt to get the baby to turn in the "proper" position.
For a vaginal breech birth to be safe there are some guidlines. First, the best position to deliever in is standing or squating. This will help bring your baby down with gravity to aid you. Second, don't do to much, let your body's natural impulses guide you and don't push to much. It is possiable to deliever without pushing at all, but pushing makes it go faster and in most cases makes you more comfortable. Some people say a vaginal breech birth will be more painful than a birth with the baby in a head down position, but I do not believe this is true. As long as you relax and allow your cervix it dilate then it should not be anymore painful, in an ideal setting and situation then birth should not be painful at all.
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