In a breech birth it is possible for umbilical cord to drop down and become compressed. This serious complication can cause lack of oxygen to the baby. Lack of oxygen is the most common cause for brain damage and cerebral palsy in new born babies. So what can be done? The doctor and medical staff most properly identify this issue. Once the issue has been discovered its extremely important they now react as fast as possible for the safety of the mother and the unborn child. A c-section must be done quickly or the child will not be able to breath. In non-breech deliveries this compressed umbilical cord is very rare, aproximately less than one percent. In breech deliveries the rate jumps to almost 20%.