breech delivery: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “breech delivery” mean?
A childbirth in which the baby is born buttocks, feet, or knees first, rather than head first.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A childbirth in which the baby is born buttocks, feet, or knees first, rather than head first.
In obstetrics, the delivery of a fetus whose buttocks or feet present first at the cervix during labor, a presentation associated with increased risks that often necessitates special medical management or intervention.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both use the same term. Spelling of related terms (e.g., 'manoeuvre' vs. 'maneuver' for external cephalic version) may differ.
Connotations
Identical technical and clinical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and confined to medical/obstetric contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “breech delivery” in a Sentence
The obstetrician managed the [breech delivery].She had a [breech delivery].The risks associated with a [breech delivery] were explained.A [breech delivery] was performed/undertaken.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “breech delivery” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The breech-delivery procedure requires an experienced team.
- They discussed the breech-delivery options.
American English
- The breech delivery procedure requires an experienced team.
- They discussed the breech delivery options.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, nursing, and midwifery textbooks, journals, and lectures.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Used only when discussing specific personal or family medical histories in layman's terms.
Technical
The primary domain. Used in clinical notes, obstetric guidelines, and communication between healthcare professionals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “breech delivery”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “breech delivery”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “breech delivery”
- Mispronouncing 'breech' as 'britch' or 'breach'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'The baby breech delivered').
- Confusing 'breech' with 'breach' (a gap or break).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It carries higher risks for the baby (e.g., umbilical cord problems, birth injuries) compared to a head-first delivery, which is why it requires careful management by an experienced medical team.
Sometimes. A procedure called External Cephalic Version (ECV) can be attempted to manually turn the baby into a head-down position before labor begins.
Not always, but it is very common. A vaginal breech delivery may be considered in specific circumstances if the medical team has appropriate expertise and the pregnancy is uncomplicated.
'Breech presentation' describes the baby's position in the womb (buttocks down). 'Breech delivery' refers to the actual event of giving birth when the baby is in that position.
A childbirth in which the baby is born buttocks, feet, or knees first, rather than head first.
Breech delivery is usually technical/medical in register.
Breech delivery: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbriːtʃ dɪˈlɪv(ə)ri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbriːtʃ dɪˈlɪvəri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idioms. The term is purely technical.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'breeches' as old-fashioned trousers covering the lower body. A 'breech delivery' is when the baby's lower body (breech) comes out first.
Conceptual Metaphor
PATH/PRESENTATION: Birth is a journey; the baby's presenting part is the 'leader' of that journey. In a breech delivery, the 'wrong end' is leading.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a breech delivery?