NREMT Paramedic Practice

In a complete breech presentation, how is the infant positioned?

1. Butt first with legs above head

2. Butt first with legs and hip bent

3. Foot first with one or both hips incompletely flexed

4. Head first in a normal position

The correct answer is: Butt first with legs and hip bent

In a complete breech presentation, the infant is positioned with the buttocks first and the legs bent at the knees, often folded in towards the body. This positioning allows the buttocks to present first in the birth canal, followed by the legs, which can facilitate a smoother delivery compared to other breech positions. Understanding this presentation is crucial because it can have significant implications for the delivery method and the health of both the mother and the infant. In contrast, the other options describe different forms of breech or vertex presentations. For example, the option describing the infant with legs above the head represents a frank breech presentation, while presenting foot first refers to a footling breech. A normal head-first position would indicate a vertex presentation, which is the most common and typically the safest delivery position for a fetus. Recognizing these distinctions helps healthcare providers anticipate complications during labor and prepare accordingly.