Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
External Cephalic Version: Is it an Effective and Safe Procedure?
Published on: June 6, 2020
Breech presentation: a retrospective analysis of 12-years' experience at a single center
Mariella Mailàth-Pokorny1, Oliver Preyer, Christian Dadak
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics and Feto-maternal Medicine, University of Vienna Medical School, and Hospital Goettlicher Heiland, Vienna, Austria. mariella.mailath-pokorny@meduniwien.ac.at
Objective:
To investigate neonatal outcome after breech presentation in term pregnancies.
Study Design:
Data from 1345 term breech deliveries over a 12-year study period were retrospectively reviewed. Neonatal morbidity and mortality were compared by route of delivery.
Results:
We investigated 1345 term breech deliveries. A total of 1041 patients (77.4%) attempted a vaginal delivery; of these, 808 (60.1%) were delivered vaginally and 233 patients (17.3%) who failed at vaginal birth underwent cesarean section. The other 304 women (22.6%) were delivered by a planned cesarean section. No statistical differences were found in the incidence of low 5-minute Apgar scores and arterial cord blood pH values
Conclusion:
The increased risk of birth trauma and admission to a neonatal intensive care unit after vaginal delivery emphasizes the advantages of a planned cesarean section for a breech presentation.
