Complications of Breech Presentation

Welcoming a child into the world is a moment filled with hope, love, and endless possibilities. But for some parents, the joy of childbirth can be overshadowed by unexpected complications. A breech presentation—when a baby is positioned bottom or feet first instead of headfirst in the womb—can lead to a more challenging delivery. While many breech births occur without issue, some result in injuries that affect the child’s well-being. When these injuries are a result of medical negligence, parents are left not just grappling with their baby's health challenges but also with questions, anger, and grief.

If your child has been injured due to complications stemming from a breech presentation, understanding what happened, why it happened, and what steps you can take next are critical in providing your child with the best possible start. Call birth injury lawyer as soon as possible.

What Is Breech Presentation?

A breech presentation occurs in about 3–4% of full-term pregnancies. During most pregnancies, babies move into a head-down (vertex) position by the final weeks of gestation. This position prepares them for a safe and smooth delivery through the birth canal. However, in breech presentations, the baby’s head remains at the top of the uterus while either the buttocks, feet, or both face the birth canal.

There are several types of breech presentations:

1. Frank Breech: The baby's buttocks are positioned to come out first, with legs extended upward near the chest.


2. Complete Breech: The baby’s buttocks come first, with their legs folded at the knees.


3. Footling Breech: One or both feet are positioned to come out first through the birth canal.


4. Kneeling Breech: Though rare, the baby’s knees may be the presenting part.

Breech positioning is more common in preterm births, but it can happen for several other reasons, including:

• Premature labor


• Too much or too little amniotic fluid


• Uterine abnormalities, such as fibroids


• A history of multiple pregnancies


• Certain fetal abnormalities

While breech presentation is not always inherently dangerous, it can increase the risk of delivery complications, especially during vaginal births.

For the Baby:

• Birth Trauma: Compression of the baby’s body during vaginal delivery can lead to nerve damage, broken bones, or soft tissue injuries.


• Umbilical Cord Prolapse: The umbilical cord may slip into the birth canal before the baby, which can cut off oxygen flow, causing brain damage or even stillbirth if not quickly addressed.


• Hypoxia (Lack of Oxygen): If the baby's head becomes stuck during a breech delivery, oxygen deprivation can occur, leading to serious consequences such as cerebral palsy.


• Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH): Breech positioning in the womb puts the hips under pressure, increasing the risk of hip abnormalities in newborns.


• Brain and Spine Injuries: Improper handling during delivery can result in lasting damage to the baby’s nervous system.

For the Parent:

• Uterine Rupture: The strain of delivering a breech baby vaginally can increase the likelihood of the uterus tearing, especially if labor is prolonged or the baby is larger than average.


• Excessive Bleeding: Difficult breech deliveries can lead to hemorrhaging, endangering the parent's life.


• Emergency Cesarean Section (C-Section): While planned C-sections for breech babies are generally safe, an unplanned or emergency C-section can increase risks for both the parent and child.

Given these risks, it is essential for healthcare providers to recognize breech presentation early and take necessary precautions to manage the delivery safely.

Medical Negligence in Breech Birth Complications

While not all complications associated with breech presentation are preventable, some injuries result from negligent medical care. When this happens, families are left dealing with preventable harm that forever changes their child’s future. Some examples of medical negligence that can lead to birth injuries during a breech delivery include:

Failure to Identify Breech Position

One of the most critical responsibilities of healthcare providers during pregnancy is to monitor the baby’s position in the womb. Breech presentation is typically identifiable through physical examinations, ultrasounds, or assessing the baby’s movements. When doctors or midwives fail to detect that a baby is in a breech position, it can lead to unpreparedness during delivery.

Without proper planning or intervention, such as scheduling a cesarean section or recommending measures to reposition the baby, the delivery process may become dangerous. This oversight can result in complications that might have otherwise been avoided, including birth injuries caused by rushed decisions or improper handling during labor. Early identification is key to mitigating risks, and failure to do so can place both the baby and the birthing parent in harm's way.

Improper Handling During Delivery

Delivering a baby in a breech position requires skill, precision, and experience. When healthcare providers attempt a vaginal breech delivery without adequate training or confidence, improper handling can result. Excessive force, poorly executed maneuvers, or a failure to safely guide the baby through the birth canal can cause trauma to the baby’s fragile body. This includes injuries such as broken bones, spinal damage, or nerve injuries like brachial plexus injuries. 

Delays in transitioning to a cesarean section when complications arise further increase the risk. Every breech delivery is unique and must be approached with expertise and care. When medical teams lack these skills or fail to act responsibly, the consequences can mar the child’s health and development permanently.

Delayed Emergency Responses

Even with careful planning, breech deliveries can present unexpected complications that demand immediate action. Situations like umbilical cord prolapse or oxygen deprivation require swift, decisive intervention to protect the baby’s life and health. When the medical team fails to quickly address an emergency, the results can be devastating. For instance, delayed action in cases of hypoxia can result in lifelong conditions like cerebral palsy or developmental delays.

Parents trust their healthcare providers to remain alert, well-coordinated, and responsive during labor and delivery. Failing to meet these obligations in moments of crisis can turn preventable situations into life-altering challenges, leaving families to cope with heartbreak that might have been avoided through timely, professional care.

Failure to Provide Proper Counseling

Healthcare providers have a duty to fully inform parents about the risks and options related to a breech presentation. Many parents rely on their doctor for expert guidance to make informed decisions about their baby’s birth. A failure to advise families about the benefits and potential dangers of a vaginal breech delivery compared to a planned cesarean can leave parents ill-prepared and vulnerable. Additionally, parents should be supported with options like external cephalic version (ECV), a procedure to reposition the baby. 

When doctors fail to offer this information or dismiss parental concerns, trust is broken, and the chances of poor outcomes rise. Proactive communication ensures that families understand their choices and can advocate for the safest delivery plan for their baby.

When medical teams fall short of the care standard they owe, the consequences can be devastating. Parents are left facing not only emotional distress but also the financial burden of ongoing medical and therapeutic care for their child.

Moving Forward After a Birth Injury

If your child suffered a birth injury during a breech delivery, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Guilt, frustration, and uncertainty often weigh heavily on parents during this time. However, it’s important to remember that what happened is not your fault, and there are steps you can take to help your child thrive.

Your child’s injury does not define your love or the future you will build together. With the right support, care, and advocacy, they can reach their full potential.

Compensation Available in a Birth Injury Case

When a child suffers a birth injury caused by medical negligence, the impact can deeply affect every aspect of a family’s life. To help alleviate the financial burden and secure a stable future for their child, parents may be entitled to compensation. This compensation isn’t just about financial recovery—it’s about providing the resources necessary for the child’s well-being and ensuring they get the care and support they need to thrive. 

Some types of compensation available in cases of complications associated with breech delivery include: 

• Medical Expenses: Birth injuries often result in extensive medical costs, including hospital bills, surgeries, medications, and ongoing treatments. Compensation can cover both current and future medical expenses, ensuring your child has access to the necessary care.


• Therapy and Rehabilitation Costs: Many children with birth injuries require therapies such as physical, occupational, or speech therapy to achieve developmental milestones. These costs can quickly add up, and compensation can help fund these crucial services.


• Pain and Suffering: Birth injuries may lead to physical and emotional pain for both the child and their family. Compensation may address the hardship and stress placed on the family.


• Future Care Needs: Some injuries, like those causing cerebral palsy or developmental delays, require life-long care. Compensation can include funds to cover specialized equipment, home modifications, and the cost of in-home caregivers or nursing support.


• Loss of Earning Potential: If your child’s injury affects their ability to work or live independently later in life, compensation can account for this loss of future income and independence.

With this support, families can focus on what truly matters—providing their child with the opportunities to succeed, despite the challenges they face. This financial assistance offers a path forward and helps ensure a brighter future.

Why Seeking Help Matters

Remember, a birth injury claim is about more than securing financial compensation. It’s about ensuring your child has access to the resources they need to live their best life. Therapy, medical specialists, adaptive equipment, and interventional services can make all the difference—not just for your child, but for your entire family.

However, the cost of these resources can be staggering. Early interventions like physical therapy or specialized educational services often require substantial, ongoing investment. Families should not have to carry this burden alone, especially when the injury was preventable.

This is where advocacy matters. By seeking justice, you’re standing up not just for your child, but also for other families who should never have to endure what yours has. Holding healthcare providers accountable shines a light on negligence and works to improve the standard of care for countless future parents and children.

Choosing the Right Support

If your child’s injury resulted from complications tied to medical negligence, you deserve compassionate guidance. An experienced advocate can help you:

1. Understand What Happened: Piecing together the details of your child’s delivery is a crucial first step. This may involve reviewing medical records, obtaining expert opinions, and investigating whether your healthcare provider met their duty of care.


2. Hold the Responsible Parties Accountable: When negligence occurs, those responsible should answer for their actions. This can provide you with the closure and sense of justice your family deserves.


3. Secure the Resources Your Child Needs: Whether through compensation or other legal outcomes, having an experienced advocate ensures your family can afford medical care, therapies, and other interventions necessary for your child’s success.

Seeking help can seem intimidating, especially when you’re already balancing so much. But you don’t have to do it alone—and you shouldn’t have to.

You’re Not Alone

Complications from a breech presentation can feel like the start of an uphill battle. But it’s important to remember there is strength in reaching out for help. There are people who care deeply about your story, your family, and your child’s future.

If you believe your child’s birth injury was the result of medical negligence, the personal injury attorneys at Goodman Acker are here to support you. We believe no family should have to bear this burden without compassionate, skilled legal representation. Contact us at (248) 831-1507 or through our online form for a free consultation. Together, we’ll work to get your child the care and resources they need to thrive.