ABNORMAL

FETUS
PRESENTATIONS

*D.r Thomas Mutanikwa

 ABNORMAL
PRESENTATIONS:
SINCIPUT, BROW,
FACE
*ORIENTATION IN UTERO
LIE= orientation of the long axis of the fetus to the long axis of the
uterus

• Longitudinal orientation:
- fetus and the mother are in the same verical axis
- is the most common lie

• Transverse orientation:
- fetus at right angles to mother

• Oblique orientation:
- fetus at 45⁰ angle to mother
1. Transverse fetal lie

2. Longitudinal fetal lie

*FETAL PRESENTATION
• The presenting part is that portion of the fetal body that is either
foremost within the birth canal or in closest proximity to it
- it can be felt through the cervix on vaginal examination;

• In logitudinal lies, the presenting part is either the fetal head or breech,
creating cephalic and breech presentations;

• When the fetus lies with the long axis transversely, the shoulder is the
presenting part and is felt through the cervix on vaginal examination;

* In most normal pregnancies, the fetus settles into the mother’s pelvic
cavity from week 36 onwards, ready for labour and birth.
About 8 in 10 fetuses settle head downwards, facing the mother’s back,
with the chin resting on the chest. In this presentation, the fetus is in the
optimum position for birth, and a normal vaginal delivery is usually possible
Cephalic presentation Breech presentation Shoulder
* ATTITUDE

= degree of extension-flexion of the fetal head

• Vertex: head is maximally flexed; is the most common attitude

• Military (Sinciput): head is partially flexed
• Brow: head is partially extended
• Face: head is maximally extended
*ATTITUDE
*FETAL POSITION
• Position refers to the relationship of an chosen portion of the fetal
presenting part to the right or left side of the maternal birth canal

• According with each presentation there may be two positions: Right or Left
• For still more acurate orientation the relationship of a given portion of the
presenting part to the anterior, transverse or posterior portion of the
maternal pelvis is considered

• Because the presenting part in right or left positions may be directed

anteriorly (A), transversely (T) or posteriorly (P), there are six varieties of
each of the presentation
* Positions in vertex presentation
*TYPES OF CEPHALIC PRESENTATIONS
• Such presentations are classified acording to the relationship between the
head and body of the fetus

• Ordinarily, the head is flexed sharply so that the chin is in contact with the
torax

- the occipital fontanel is the presenting

part
- the presentation is referred to as a vertex
or occiput presentation
• Much less commonly, the fetal neck may be sharply extended so that the
occiput and back come in contact and the face is foremost in the birth canal
Face presentation
• The fetal head may asume a position between these extremes:
- partialy flexed in some cases, with the anterior (large) fontanel or
bregma presentig to have a Sinciput presentation
- or partially extended, in other cases, to have a Brow presentation

Brow presentation Sinciput presentation

• The last two presentations (sinciput and brow) are usually
transient

• As labor progresses, sinciput and brow presentations almost

always are converted into vertex or face presentations by
neck flexion or extension. Failure to do so can lead to
dystocia
* a. Sinciput presentation
* b. Brow presentation
* c. Face presentation

a. b. c.
 SINCIPUT PRESENTATION
DEFINITION:
- Also known as “military position”, occurs when the head is
neither flexed nor extended. The anterior fontanel is felt as the
presenting part.

EPIDEMIOLOGY:
- Sinciput presentation occurs in 1 of every 1000- 2000 live births

POSITION:
- The anterior fontanel (bregma) is the point of designation and can
present in any position relative to the maternal pelvis.
DIAMETER:
- presenting diameter is occipito-frontal (12,5 cm)

ETIOLOGY:

MATERNAL
OVULAR
FACTORS:
- uterine FACTORS:
malformations - Small head
- abdominal
tumors - Placenta
- cephalopelvic
praevia
disproportion
DIAGNOSIS:

-The diagnosis of a sinciput presentation is rare made with

abdominal palpation by Leopold maneuvers

- Vaginal examination in labour:

• After the cervix has a 4-5 cm dilation at the sagittal suture's extremities,
both fontanelles (anterior and posterior) can be palpated; In the cranial
presentation only the little fontanelle is palpated.

- Ultrasound evaluation reveals the cephalic extremity in the

intermediate attitude
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS:
1. Vertex presentation
2. Brow presentation
3. Facial presentation

MECHANISM OF LABOUR:

• The engagement is done with difficulty due to the large size of the fronto-
occipital diameter (12,5 cm) for small fetuses or it is not done at all for large
fetuses.
• When the circumference gets on the pelvic-perineal floor, there are
possible three situations:

1. there has to be made a moderate flexion of the cephalic extremity,

followed by occiput rotation to symphysis; the delivery will be done like in
occipito-posterior presentation;

2. the occiput rotates posteriorly with difficult engagement;

3. cephalic extremity remains in intermediate attitude, the rotations is

not performed anymore and the birth mechanism cannot continue; the birth
must be resolved by obstretic intervention
MANAGEMENT :
If there is any other relative indication for cesarean surgery, the
surgery will be performed from the start.

For all the other pregnant a birth prove will be performed (2-4
hours); if the engagement was not produced: cesarean surgery will be
perform

• Birth evolution prognosis is reserved

• Maternal prognosis is reserved from many reasons:

- the long duration of a birth
- in 40-50% of cases it is required an obstetrical or surgical
intervation
- the hemorrhagic and infection risk is higher
 BROW PRESENTATION
DEFINITION:
- In a brow presentation, the fetal head is midway between full flexion (vertex)
and hyperextension (face) along a longitudinal axis. The presenting portion of the fetal
head is between the orbital ridge and the anterior fontanel. The face and chin are not
included.

EPIDEMIOLOGY:
- Brow presentation is the least common of all fetal presentations and the
incidence varies from 1 in 500 deliveries to 1 in 1400 deliveries.

POSITION:
- The frontal bones are the point of designation and can present (as with the
occiput during a vertex delivery) in any position relative to the maternal pelvis.
- When the sagittal suture is transverse to the pelvic axis and the anterior fontanel
is on the right maternal side, the fetus would be in the right fronto-transverse position
(RFT).
- Most frequent positions are: right fronto-posterior position and left fronto-
anterior position
 DIAMETER:
- presenting diameter is occipito-mental (13,5 cm)

ETIOLOGY:

OVULAR FACTORS:
- fetal malformations
- short neck
MATERNAL FACTORS: - small fetal thyroid
- cephalopelvic enlargement
disproportion or pelvic - musculoskeletal
contracture abnormality
- uterine
malformations - placenta praevia
- uterin fibroma - polyhydramnios
- premature rupture
of membranes
(27%)
DIAGNOSIS:
- Diagnosis of a brow presentation can occasionally be made with
abdominal palpation by Leopold maneuvers:
a prominent occipital prominence is encountered along the fetal
back, and the fetal chin is also palpable;
however, the diagnosis of a brow presentation is usually
confirmed by examination of a dilated cervix

- Vaginal examination in labour:

the orbital ridge, eyes, nose, forehead, and anterior fontanel are
palpated
the mouth and chin are not palpable, thus excluding face
presentation

- Fetal ultrasound evaluation again notes a hyperextended neck

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS:
1. Vertex presentation
2. Sinciput presentation
3. Facial presentation

MECHANISM OF LABOUR:
Three labor courses are possible when the fetal head engages in a brow
presentation:
I. The brow may convert to a vertex presentation
II. The brow may convert to a face presentation
III. Or remain as a persistent brow presentation

* More than 50% of brow presentations will convert to vertex or face presentation and
labor courses are managed accordingly when spontaneous conversion occurs.
 In the brow presentation, the occipito-mental diameter, which is the
largest diameter of the fetal head, is the presenting portion.

• Descent and internal rotation occur only with an adequate pelvis and if
the face can fit under the pubic arch

• While the head descends, it becomes wedged into the hollow of the
sacrum. Downward pressure from uterine contractions and maternal
expulsive forces may cause the mentum to extend anteriorly and low to
present at the perineum as a mentum anterior face presentation.

• If the mentum is anterior and the forces of labor are directed toward the
fetal occiput, flexing the head and pivoting the face under the pubic arch,
there is conversion to a vertex occiput posterior position. If the occiput lies
against the sacrum and the forces of labor are directed against the fetal
mentum, the neck may extend further, leading to a face presentation.
 Most experts would agree that there is no mechanism of successful labor for a
termsized persistent brow under most circumstances, and therefore vaginal delivery is
impossible. However, vaginal delivery can occur if the fetus is quite small or if the pelvis is
very large

MANAGEMENT :

• If dilatation and descent are progressing normally, expectant management is best

• Forceps deliveries are acceptable if the brow converts to MA face or vertex
• Once progress in labor has ceased, persistent brow presentations require a cesarean
delivery, and all operative vaginal maneuvers are contraindicated

•Birth evolution prognosis is reserved

 FACE PRESENTATION
DEFINITION:
- In a face presentation, the fetal head and neck are hyperextended, causing
the occiput to come in contact with the upper back of the fetus while lying in a
longitudinal axis. The presenting portion of the fetus is the fetal face between
the orbital ridges and the chin

EPIDEMIOLOGY:
- Face presentation occurs in 1 of every 600-800 live births, averaging about
0.2% of live births

POSITION:
- The fetal chin (mentum) is the point designated for reference during an
internal examination through the cervix. The occiput of a vertex is usually hard
and has a smooth contour, while the face and brow tend to be more irregular
and soft.
 - Like the occiput, the mentum can present in any position relative to the
maternal pelvis. For example, if the mentum presents in the left anterior
quadrant of the maternal pelvis, it is designated as left mentum anterior
(LMA).
Positions in face presentation
DIAMETER:
- presenting diameter is submento- bregmatic (9.5 cm)

OVULATORY FACTORS:
ETIOLOGY:
- Prematurity
- fetal anomalies
(hydrocephalus,
anencephaly)
MATERNAL FACTORS: - neck masses
- grand multiparity - large infants
- multiple gestations - musculoskeletal
- cephalopelvic
abnormality
disproportion
- uterine
malformations - several coils of
- abdominal tumors
ombilical cord
- uterine fibroma
around the neck
- placenta praevia
- polyhydramnios
DIAGNOSIS:
- Face presentation is diagnosed late in the first or second stage of
labor by examination of a dilated cervix

- On digital examination, the distinctive facial features of the nose,

mouth, and chin, the malar bones, and particularly the orbital ridges can be
palpated.

* This presentation can be confused with a breech presentation because

the mouth may be confused with the anus and the malar bones or orbital
ridges may be confused with the ischial tuberosities

* The facial presentation has a triangular configuration of the mouth to

the orbital ridges compared to the breech presentation of the anus and
fetal genitalia
 1. Complete breech presentation 2. Face presentation

- During Leopold maneuvers, diagnosis is very unlikely

* Diagnosis can be confirmed by ultrasound evaluation, which reveals a

hyperextended fetal neck.
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS:
1. Vertex presentation
2. Sinciput presentation
3. Brow presentation
4. Breech presentation

MECHANISM OF LABOUR:

- While descending into the pelvis, the natural contractile forces

combined with the maternal pelvic architecture allow the fetal head to
either flex or extend
- Following engagement in the face presentation, descent is made.
The widest diameter of the fetal head negotiating the pelvis is the
trachelobregmatic or submentobregmatic diameter, which is 10.2 cm (0.7
cm larger than the suboccipitobregmatic diameter).
 - internal rotation occurs between the ischial spines and the ischial
tuberosities, making the chin the presenting part, lower than in the vertex
presentation
- Following internal rotation, the mentum is below the maternal
symphysis, and delivery occurs by flexion of the fetal neck. As the face
descends onto the perineum, the anterior fetal chin passes under the
symphysis and flexion of the head occurs, making delivery possible with
maternal expulsive forces

* The above mechanisms of labor in the term infant can occur only if the
mentum is anterior and at term, only the mentum anterior face
presentation is likely to deliver vaginally

* If the mentum is posterior or transverse, the fetal neck is too short to span
the length of the maternal sacrum and is already at the point of maximal
extension. The head cannot deliver as it cannot extend any further through
the symphysis and cesarean delivery is the safest route of delivery.
 - Fortunately, the mentum is anterior in over 60% of cases of face
presentation, transverse in 10-12% of cases, and posterior only 20-25% of
the time

- Fetuses with the mentum transverse position usually rotate to the

mentum anterior position, and 25-33% of fetuses with mentum posterior
position rotate to a mentum anterior position

- When the mentum is posterior, the neck, head and shoulders must
enter the pelvis simultaneously, resulting in a diameter too large for the
maternal pelvis to accommodate unless in the very preterm or small infant

- Duration of labor with a face presentation is generally the same as

duration of labor with a vertex presentation, although a prolonged labor
may occur. As long as maternal or fetal compromise is not evident, labor
with a face presentation may continue.
MANAGEMENT :

• The average reported incidence of spontaneous or elective low forceps

delivery in face presentation is 72% (range, 40% to 90%). The average rate of
cesarean delivery is 15% and in only two series was it >29%

• In older series, up to 12% of face presentations were delivered by various

operative vaginal procedures, including midforceps rotation, version and
extraction, and manual conversion of face to vertex (Thorn maneuver)
These procedures are associated with high perinatal mortality and
maternal morbidity, and there is no place for them in the modern management
of face presentation.

• Face presentation alone is not a contraindication to oxytocin stimulation of

labor, and it can be done for the same reasons and with the same precautions
as in vertex presentation
• Forceps delivery in MA presentation can be accomplished by using the
same criteria that would be used in vertex presentation, but midforceps
delivery in face presentation should be abandoned

• For obvious reasons, application of the vacuum extractor is

contraindicated with face presentation

• In any face presentation, as in vertex presentation, if progress in

dilatation and descent ceases despite adequate contractions, delivery
should be accomplished by cesarean section

• The only series using fetal monitoring extensively in the management of

face presentation reported variable decelerations in 59% of 29 infants,
severe variables in 29%, and late decelerations in 24%.
• It seems plausible that the increased incidence of fetal heart rate
abnormalities is due in part to abnormal pressure on the extended head,
neck, or eyes, similar to the mechanism of heart rate abnormalities
described in occiput posterior presentations

• Therefore, face presentation is an indication for electronic fetal

monitoring. To avoid damaging the fetal eyes or scarring the face with
an electrode, external monitoring should be used

• Birth evolution prognosis is reserved

*THANK YOU

*Little knowledge is
dangerous