sidefødning

Sidefødning is a term used in Norwegian and Danish medical literature to describe a birth in which the fetus is delivered in a non-head-first orientation, i.e., a non-vertex presentation. The term is variably used and can refer to breech births (feet or buttocks first) as well as oblique or transverse lie. Because of its potential for complications, sidefødning is routinely assessed during late pregnancy and monitored during labor.

Clinical significance and management often depend on the exact presentation and the clinical setting. At term, breech or sidefødning presentations occur in a minority of pregnancies. Management may include attempting external cephalic version to turn the fetus to a head-first position if there are no contraindications. If turning is unsuccessful or not advised, planned delivery is discussed, with options such as planned cesarean section being common in many settings. In select cases and in experienced centers, vaginal breech delivery may be considered, but this requires skilled obstetricians, appropriate facilities, and careful monitoring of both mother and baby.

Risks associated with sidefødning include fetal distress, birth injuries, and maternal complications. Accurate diagnosis of fetal presentation, timely decision-making, and appropriate perinatal surveillance are important to reduce adverse outcomes. The term’s use varies by region and over time, and it does not always have a single, universally accepted meaning across medical languages.

See also: Breech birth, External cephalic version, Shoulder dystocia.