If a foot is presenting in a breech birth, which action is recommended?

• A. Transport her ASAP with pelvis elevated
• B. Reach into the vagina with a gloved hand to pull
• C. Prepare for a breech birth
• D. Allow 5 minutes to determine if the second foot appears

Answer: (A)

When a foot is presenting in a breech birth, the baby is coming feet first instead of head first, which raises the risk of complications such as cord prolapse or head entrapment. In the field, you should not attempt to pull on the limb or deliver the baby yourself unless you’re trained for breech delivery. The safest and most effective action is to get the mother to a facility with obstetric care as quickly as possible, while keeping her in a position that supports a safer delivery during transport. Elevating the pelvis helps reduce pressure on the umbilical cord and creates a more stable situation for transfer. So, transport promptly and keep the pelvis elevated. Waiting to see if a second foot appears or attempting delivery in the field could increase risk to both mother and baby.