Breech presentation occurs in three to four per cent of births (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) 2017). The safety of vaginal breech birth (VBB) is a source of significant debate. Following the Term Breech Trial (TBT) national guidance recommended planned caesarean section (CS) in the case of breech presentation (Downe & Marshall 2020). However, the tone of guidance and teaching materials has changed markedly in recent years and become more equivocal regarding the overall benefits of CS over VBB (Johnson & Taylor 2021, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2021, Winter et al 2021). Despite signs of increasing acceptance of the safety of VBB, the context of the debate remains one of risk and pathology, with significant implications for women's autonomy and experience of birth and maternity care.
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