Singleton breach presentation planned for vaginal delivery

A retrospective study of 156 consecutive cases of singleton breach presentation planned for vaginal delivery is presented. The incidence of caesarean section was not increased when compared with that for all Hospital and Clinic confinements. The perinatal mortality and prematurity rates were high. The incidence of cord prolapse was increased especially with the footling breech. The need for an experienced Obstetrician and Anaesthetist to conduct all deliveries was demonstrated. Factors influencing the assessment of feto-pelvic proportion and the occurrence of trauma and asphyxia in the management of breech labour and delivery are discussed. The continued place of external cephalic version is justified by the perinatal mortality rate.