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Breech Position

Pictures of normal position and frank breech position of fetus
Pictures of normal position and complete breech position of fetus
Picture of normal position and incomplete (footling) breech position of fetus

A fetus with the buttocks, legs, or feet pointing down toward the cervix is said to be in breech position. Before birth, most breech fetuses change position so that the head points downward. But some fetuses stay in breech position late into the third trimester.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer William Gilbert, MD - Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Last Revised July 25, 2011

Last Revised: July 25, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & William Gilbert, MD - Maternal and Fetal Medicine

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