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Warning-sign checks

Breech position and breech birth: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, fainting, or uncontrolled bleeding requires emergency care.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Ask when the baby's position will be checked again and what symptoms should prompt immediate contact.

    Report reduced or changed movement promptly rather than waiting for a routine appointment.

    After cesarean birth, seek prompt advice for worsening wound redness, discharge, fever, increasing pain, heavy bleeding, chest pain, shortness of breath, or swelling and pain in one leg.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    If ECV is unsuccessful, follow-up usually focuses on choosing a delivery plan.

    This discussion should happen early enough to review the local team's experience with vaginal breech birth, the benefits and risks of cesarean birth, and what will happen if labor starts unexpectedly.

    Ask whether follow-up hip imaging is recommended and when it should occur.

    Maternal follow-up depends on the type of birth and any complications.

The article also says

After an ECV attempt, the baby's heart rate is monitored before discharge.

Continue to pay attention to the baby's usual movement pattern.

After birth, the baby will receive a newborn examination, including a hip assessment.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Breech position and breech birth. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.