# Does Breech Labor Increase Cerebral Palsy?
Breech birth, where a baby is positioned feet or buttocks first instead of head first, is associated with an increased risk of cerebral palsy. However, the breech position itself is not the direct cause – rather, it creates conditions during delivery that can lead to brain injury.
When a baby is in breech position, delivery becomes more complicated and difficult. During a difficult breech delivery, a baby can be deprived of oxygen within minutes, and this oxygen deprivation to the brain is what actually causes the brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy. The breech position makes it harder for doctors to safely deliver the baby, which increases the likelihood of complications that disrupt oxygen supply.
Breech presentation is listed among the risk factors that increase the chances of cerebral palsy developing. Research shows that abnormal delivery positions, including breech births, are complications that can occur during labor and may cause cerebral palsy, particularly if the baby’s breathing is disrupted. Multiple births increase the risk of breech positioning, and babies born in breech positions are more likely to have low birth weights and premature delivery – both of which are additional risk factors for cerebral palsy.
The connection between breech birth and cerebral palsy is important for medical professionals to understand. When a baby is in breech position, doctors may need to make quick decisions about delivery methods. In some cases, attempting a vaginal delivery with a breech baby when a cesarean section would be safer can prolong the delivery and increase risks. Conversely, when a necessary cesarean section is delayed in a breech birth situation, the baby may suffer from prolonged oxygen deprivation, which can cause brain damage and cerebral palsy.
The key factor linking breech birth to cerebral palsy is oxygen deprivation. Lack of oxygen to the brain, called asphyxia, can cause a type of brain damage known as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). If oxygen is cut off for extended periods during a difficult breech delivery, this brain damage can occur and lead to cerebral palsy and other serious neurological conditions.
It is worth noting that cerebral palsy cases are often related more to the reason why intervention was needed – such as fetal distress or hypoxia – rather than to the delivery method itself. However, breech position does create higher-risk circumstances where these complications are more likely to occur.
Medical professionals use fetal monitoring during labor to watch for signs of fetal distress and oxygen deprivation. When breech presentation is identified before labor, doctors can plan the safest delivery approach, whether that is a planned cesarean section or, in some cases, a carefully managed vaginal breech delivery. Timely medical intervention is crucial to prevent the oxygen deprivation that can lead to cerebral palsy and other life-threatening birth injuries.
Sources
https://www.cerebralpalsyhub.com/birth-injury/vacuum-delivery-complications/
https://www.childbirthinjuries.com/birth-injury/c-section-injuries/
https://www.sokolovelaw.com/birth-injuries/cerebral-palsy/causes/
https://www.grossmanjustice.com/new-jersey-breech-birth-delayed-section-lawyer/
https://www.chicagomedicalmalpracticefirm.com/practice-areas/medical-malpractice/birth-injury/
