Which presentation is classified as an incomplete breech (footling)?

Which presentation is classified as an incomplete breech (footling)?

• A. Frank breech
• B. Complete breech
• C. Footling breech
• D. Single foot with fetal head

Answer: (C)

In breech presentations, what matters is which part presents first. An incomplete breech, also called footling, is when one or both feet come through the cervix before the buttocks, so the presenting part is the feet rather than the buttocks. This distinguishes it from a frank breech (buttocks presenting with hips flexed and knees extended) and a complete breech (buttocks presenting with hips and knees flexed). A presentation described as “a single foot with fetal head” isn’t the standard way to define incomplete breech, whereas a footling presentation clearly refers to feet presenting first.

In breech presentations, what matters is which part presents first. An incomplete breech, also called footling, is when one or both feet come through the cervix before the buttocks, so the presenting part is the feet rather than the buttocks. This distinguishes it from a frank breech (buttocks presenting with hips flexed and knees extended) and a complete breech (buttocks presenting with hips and knees flexed). A presentation described as “a single foot with fetal head” isn’t the standard way to define incomplete breech, whereas a footling presentation clearly refers to feet presenting first.