Breech presentation management: A critical review of leading clinical practice guidelines

Managing Uncomplicated Singleton Breech Pregnancy Using the OptiBreech Collaborative Care Pathway: Early Economic Model and Value of Information Analysis

OBJECTIVES

Management of breech presentation is a subject of ongoing clinical debate. The cost-effectiveness of improving safe vaginal breech birth is unknown. This study examines potential cost-effectiveness of OptiBreech collaborative care and assesses value of undertaking further research.

METHODS

A decision tree was used to evaluate the potential cost-effectiveness of OptiBreech care versus standard care for a hypothetical cohort of women with confirmed singleton breech pregnancy after 36 + 0 weeks gestation and babies born thereafter for 1 year. Probabilities, costs, and outcomes were obtained from literature and OptiBreech pilot trial. Uncertainty and value of information were analyzed to prioritize future research. The main outcomes were incremental cost-utility and cost-effectiveness ratios, net benefits, cost-effectiveness acceptability curve, and expected value of perfect and perfect partial information.

RESULTS

Using preexisting evidence, OptiBreech care is less effective but sufficiently less costly, ie, cost-effective compared with standard care. Influential parameters include cephalic birth rate after external cephalic version, training costs, and vaginal birth rate after opting for vaginal birth. Emerging evidence for OptiBreech care significantly improved the cost-effectiveness ratio. The expected population value of perfect information was £31.5 million, with utilities identified as key research priority.

CONCLUSIONS

Planned vaginal birth for singleton breech pregnancy may be cost-effective despite a potential loss in health outcomes. Emerging data on the effectiveness of OptiBreech care significantly increased the cost-effectiveness likelihood. Conclusions did not change for litigation cost assumptions or for sole neonatal perspective. Further research on health utilities would provide a valuable reduction in decision uncertainty.

Labor and Delivery Outcomes in Australian Mothers after Kidney Transplantation

Key Points

Background

Factors influencing high cesarean section rates among mothers with a kidney transplant remain unclear.

Methods

Using linked Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (1970–2016) and perinatal datasets (1991–2013), we compared deliveries of women with a functioning kidney transplant with those without KRT (non-KRT).

Results

Of 2,946,851 babies (1,627,408 mothers), 211 were born to 137 mothers with a kidney transplant. Overall cesarean section rates were twice more frequent in the transplant cohort (63% versus 26% non-KRT; P < 0.001) across all gestational periods compared with the non-KRT cohort and highest in preterm births (≥37 weeks, 48% versus 25%; P < 0.001, 33–36 weeks, 77% versus 40%; P < 0.001, and <33 weeks, 75% versus 41%; P < 0.001). Cesarean section rates remained higher after adjusting for maternal factors (incidence rate ratio, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 1.7). In women with a kidney transplant with past pregnancy, 53% with no previous cesarean sections had a cesarean section in the current pregnancy (versus 19% non-KRT; P < 0.001). Mothers with a kidney transplant had less spontaneous labor (30% versus 63%; P < 0.001) and more planned deliveries (induced or elective cesarean sections; 70% versus 36%; P < 0.001) than non-KRT mothers. Nearly half of the women with transplantation (45%) delivered by nonlabor cesarean sections, mostly occurring preterm (<37 weeks, 70% versus ≥37 weeks, 30%; P = 0.002). In the transplant cohort, the main indications for nonlabor cesarean sections were hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and breech presentation (>50% versus 18% non-KRT cohort; P < 0.001) and were linked to gestational age. Nonlabor cesarean sections for fetal distress were higher in women with transplantation (10% versus 4% non-KRT; P = 0.03). In the non-KRT cohort, previous cesarean sections were the main indication for nonlabor cesarean sections (40% versus 24% transplant; P = 0.06). Postpartum hemorrhage (13% versus 7% non-KRT; P = 0.003) and fetal distress (18% versus 10% non-KRT; P = 0.001) were higher among the transplant cohort.

Conclusions

Women with a kidney transplant have higher rates of cesarean section delivery even after accounting for maternal factors, preterm delivery, and past cesarean sections compared with non-KRT cohorts.

Outcomes in term breech birth according to intended mode of delivery-A Swedish prospective single-center experience of a dedicated breech birth team

INTRODUCTION

The appropriate mode of delivery for breech babies is a topic of ongoing debate. After the publication of the Term Breech Trial in 2000, the proportion of breech babies delivered vaginally in Sweden rapidly dropped to 7% from 26%. In 2015, international guidelines changed to once again recommend offering vaginal breech deliveries in select cases. In 2017, a Swedish hospital established a dedicated Breech Team to provide safe vaginal breech deliveries according to the new guidelines. The aim of this study is to compare neonatal morbidity in the group planned for cesarean breech delivery with the group planned for vaginal breech delivery treated in accordance with the new guidelines. The study adds to the literature by providing insights into the consequences of reintroducing vaginal breech births in a high-resource health-care setting.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective observational study was conducted at Södersjukhuset's maternity ward with 1067 women who gave birth to a single breech fetus at term. Outcomes were compared between the planned vaginal and planned cesarean delivery groups using intention-to-treat analysis and multivariate analysis to control for confounders.

RESULTS

Out of the 1067 women, 78.9% were planned for cesarean delivery and 21.1% were planned for vaginal delivery. The planned vaginal group had a significantly greater risk for neonatal morbidity compared to the planned cesarean group (3.1% vs. 0.7%; OR 4.44, 95% CI 1.48-13.34). The risk difference remained significant after controlling for confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

Planned vaginal breech delivery was associated with an increased risk of neonatal mortality and short-term morbidity compared to planned cesarean breech delivery in accordance with the new guidelines. The potential risks and benefits of planned vaginal breech delivery should be carefully weighed against those of planned cesarean delivery.

Trial and error - Outcome of breech presentation depending on birth mode and root cause analysis of severe adverse events

OBJECTIVES

The debate about the safest birth mode for breech presentation at term remains unresolved. The comparison of a vaginal breech birth (VBB) with an elective caesarean section (CS) regarding fetal outcomes favors the CS. However, the question of whether attempting a VBB is associated with poorer fetal outcomes is examined in this study. Additionally, the study evaluates factors contributing to a successful VBB and illustrates possible errors in VBB management.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a retrospective analysis of term breech births over 15 years in a Perinatal Center Level I regarding fetal, maternal, and obstetric outcomes by comparing successful with unsuccessful VBB attempt and all attempted VBB vs. CS including a multivariate analysis of predictors for a successful VBB. A root cause analysis of severe adverse events (SAE) was conducted to evaluate factors leading to poorer fetal outcomes in VBB.

RESULTS

Of 863 breech cases, in 78 % a CS was performed and in 22 % a VBB was attempted, with 57 % succeeding. Comparing successful with unsuccessful VBB attempts, successful VBB showed significantly lower maternal blood loss (p < 0.001) but poorer umbilical arterial pH (UApH) (p < 0.001), while other fetal outcome parameters showed no significant differences. Predictive factors for a successful VBB attempt were a body mass index (BMI) below 30.0 kg/m2 (p = 0.010) and multiparity (p = 0.003). Comparing all attempted VBB to CS, maternal blood loss was significantly higher in CS (p < 0.001), while fetal outcomes were significantly worse in VBB attempts, included poorer Apgar scores (p < 0.001), poorer UApH values (p < 0.001), higher transfer rate to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (p < 0.001) and higher rate of respiratory support in the first 24 h (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

The failed attempt of VBB indicates significantly worse UApH without lower Apgar scores or higher transfer rate to the NICU. The likelihood of a successful VBB is 9% lower with obesity and 2.5 times higher in multiparous women. Attempting a VBB should include detailed pre-labor counseling, regarding predictive success factors, an experienced team, and consistent management during birth.

Birth injury in breech delivery: a nationwide population-based cohort study in Finland

PURPOSE

Previous studies have examined the optimal mode of breech delivery extensively, but there is a scarcity of publications focusing on the birth injuries of neonates born in breech presentation. This study aimed to examine birth injury in breech deliveries.

METHODS

In this retrospective register-based nationwide cohort study, data on birth injuries in vaginal breech deliveries with singleton live births were compared to cesarean section with breech presentation and cephalic vaginal delivery between 2004 and 2017 in Finland. The data were retrieved from the National Medical Birth Register. Primary outcome variables were severe and mild birth injury. Incidences of birth injuries in different gestational ages and birthweights were calculated in different modes of delivery. Crude odds ratios of risk factors for severe birth injury were analyzed.

RESULTS

In vaginal breech delivery (n = 4344), there were 0.8% of neonates with severe birth injury and 1.5% of neonates with mild birth injury compared to 0.06% and 0.2% in breech cesarean section (n = 16,979) and 0.3% and 1.9% in cephalic vaginal delivery (n = 629,182). Brachial plexus palsy was the most common type of injury in vaginal breech delivery. Increasing gestational age and birthweight had a stronger effect on the risk for injury among cephalic vaginal deliveries than among vaginal breech deliveries.

CONCLUSION

Birth injuries were rare in vaginal breech deliveries. The incidence of severe birth injury was two times higher in vaginal breech delivery compared to cephalic vaginal delivery. Brachial plexus palsy was the most common type of injury in vaginal breech delivery.

Women’s experiences of breech birth decision making: An integrated review

INTRODUCTION

Currently, caesarean section is the primary mode of birth for a breech presenting fetus, leading to a deskilling of clinicians and limitation of birth choices for women. The aim of this review is to present a synthesized summary of existing literature related to women’s experiences of breech birth mode decision-making.

METHODS

A systematic search of the literature was conducted in April 2021, utilizing five databases to identify and obtain peer-reviewed articles meeting the predetermined selection criteria.

RESULTS

Four major categories were synthesized from the integrated review: 1) Women who desire a vaginal birth may experience a range of negative emotions such as feelings of disempowerment, loss, uncertainty and a sense of isolation; 2) Women who experience a breech presentation at term experience significant pressures to conform to expectations of medical professionals and their families due to perceptions of risk related to breech birth; 3) Breech birth decision-making in a limiting system; and 4) Overall satisfaction with the decision to plan a vaginal breech birth.

CONCLUSION

Women with a breech presenting fetus at term experience a complex range of emotions and internal and external pressures due to perceptions of risk around breech birth. Midwives were seen as helpful throughout the breech experience. The reduced caesarean section rate for breech, observed in studies exploring specialized care pathways or dedicated services, could reduce the incidence of Severe Acute Maternal Morbidity.