When a baby presents in breech presentation (butt down instead of head down), the general recommendation is c-section. Why? Well...it's complicated. For decades, the perception that vaginal breech birth was inherently dangerous has grown quite strong. In 2000, the Term Breech Trial sealed its fate, and education on how to relieve dystocias like nuchal arms and hyperextended necks for both midwives and OBGYN residents came to an abrupt halt. In parts of the world where vaginal breech is still (somewhat) regular, it's far less dangerous than your doctor would lead you to believe. But now that birthworkers in North America aren't learning these techniques, birthing a breech baby vaginally may, in fact, be more dangerous than it was in the past. In this episode, Rixa Hayes, PhD, and David Hayes, MD, OBGYN, the primary instructors at Breech Without Borders, discuss the history, "safety" data on vaginal breech birth, and the maneuvers that their organization is promoting to re-skill the birthworker community of North America to revive and preserve the lost art of vaginal breech birth.



Links from the show:

Breech Without Borders

Rixa Freeze, PhD on Instagram (and her website)

My other interview with Rixa Freeze (more on breech)



My online store (discounts on many products that I recommend to my family and clients)



Find me on Instagram @nathanrileyobgyn and my practice at: www.BelovedHolistics.com



Sponsored by:

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Music by: Labrinth and Preservation Hall Jazz Band

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