In breech birth, what is the initial step?

In breech birth, what is the initial step?

• A. Administer blow-by oxygen to the newborn
• B. Expedite transport
• C. Elevate the mother's hips (knee-to-chest position)
• D. Insert a gloved hand into the vagina to clear airway

Answer: (C)

Elevating the mother's hips leverages gravity to help the breech presenting part descend and align with the birth canal, making vaginal delivery of the buttocks first more likely and smoother. This simple positioning opens the pelvis and reduces resistance in the birth canal, buying time for a controlled delivery. Other actions aren’t the first move because they address later steps or complications that aren’t yet occurring, whereas putting the mother in knee-to-chest is the quickest, most effective initial adjustment to facilitate the breech birth.

Elevating the mother's hips leverages gravity to help the breech presenting part descend and align with the birth canal, making vaginal delivery of the buttocks first more likely and smoother. This simple positioning opens the pelvis and reduces resistance in the birth canal, buying time for a controlled delivery. Other actions aren’t the first move because they address later steps or complications that aren’t yet occurring, whereas putting the mother in knee-to-chest is the quickest, most effective initial adjustment to facilitate the breech birth.