What to do when it is breech? A state-of-the-art review on management of breech presentation

Any non-cephalic presentation in a fetus is regarded as malpresentation.The most common malpresentation,breech,contributes to 3%-5%of term pregnancies and is a leading indication for cesarean delivery.Identification of risk factors and a proper physical examination are beneficial;however,ultrasound is the gold standard for the diagnosis of malpresentations.External cephalic version(ECV)refers to a procedure aimed to convert a non-cephalic presenting fetus to cephalic presentation.This procedure is performed manually through the mother’s abdomen by a trained health care provider,to reduce the likelihood of a cesarean section.Studies have reported a version success rate of above 50%by ECV.The main objective of this review is to present a broad perspective on fetal malpresentation,ECV,and delivery of a breech fetus.The focus is to elaborate all clinical scenarios of breech and to provide an evidence-based clinical approach for them.After discussing breech prevalence,risk factors,diagnosis,and management,an updated review of ECV is presented.Moreover,ECV indications/contraindications,alternatives,clinical techniques on how to perform ECV and breech vaginal delivery,and obstetrical considerations for the delivery of malpresentations are thoroughly discussed.

Report of a New Case of Interlocking Heads in a Breech-Vertex Twin Delivery: A Conversation with My Residents

“Locked twins” is a rare event occurring in about 1 in every 1000 twin births. A 21-year-old primigravida with a 31-week twin pregnancy was admitted for delivery. The head of the first twin was locked to the chin of the second twin at the top of the symphysis pubis. Caesarean section was performed allowing the delivery of both dead twins. Twins gestations with first twin in the breech presentation raise index of suspicion of potential locked twin. However, management of such situation is controversial with most authors and colleges recommending caesarean section to avoid interlocking heads. We report another rare case of interlocking heads and bring up the topic about management of breech-first twin deliveries.

Twin Pregnancy with Omphalocele: Challenges in Detection and Management

Twins are more likely to have congenital anomalies than singletons. Omphalocele is still a life-threatening congenital abnormality that requires adequate antenatal diagnosis and early treatment. A 31-year-old woman presented with labor pains in the eighth pregnancy month. There was a clear, watery discharge from the birth canal 4 hours before admission. She was previously diagnosed with twins, with one cotwin having suffered omphalocele through a 6-month-ultrasound examination. At admission, the condition was diagnosed as monochorionic-diamniotic twins at 32 - 33 weeks in the 2nd stage of labor: the first baby cephalic presentation;second breech presentation with omphalocele. She vaginally gave birth to twin infants, with those having Apgar 5’ of 6/7, respectively. Both infants were admitted to the intensive care unit and under treatment.