What does breech baby mean Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

(/briːtʃ/) 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A fetus that is positioned in the uterus with its feet or buttocks near the birth canal, rather than its head, which can make delivery more complicated.

Examples

• The expecting mother was worried about the upcoming delivery after learning that her baby was in a breech position.
• A C-section was necessary because the baby was positioned breech.

Synonyms

• Footling presentation
• Frank breech

Antonyms

• Head-down
• Vertex presentation

Etymology

The term “breech” comes from Old French “breche”, meaning “rupture” or “tear”, likely referring to the tearing of the membranes surrounding the fetus as it descends into the birth canal.

Usage Notes

The term “breech baby” is typically used in medical contexts, but it can also be used in colloquial language to refer to a fetal position that is not presenting with the head down.

Additional Information

Breech positions can be caused by a variety of factors, including uterine anomalies, multiple gestations, or a previous C-section. In some cases, babies may develop a breech position after 37 weeks of gestation, and in these cases, a natural delivery may still be possible.

Other breech positions include frank breech, where the baby’s legs are folded up towards its face, and footling breech, where the baby’s feet are near the birth canal. The position of the baby in the womb can affect the delivery process and may require medical intervention.

Cultural References

Breech babies have been featured in various forms of media, including literature, film, and television. One notable example is a scene from the TV show “Grey’s Anatomy”, where a doctor delivers a baby in a breech position.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

There are no specific idiomatic expressions or phrases that include the term “breech baby”. However, the term “breech” can be used figuratively to refer to something that is unexpected or unconventional.

Related Words or Phrases

• fetal position
• baby’s presentation
• delivery complication

Collocations

• a breech baby at 37 weeks
• a breech delivery complication

Frequency of Use

The term “breech baby” is not commonly used in everyday language, but it is frequently used in medical and obstetric contexts.

Common Misspellings

• breech behaby
• breech beaby