Breech Presentation: Vaginal Versus Cesarean Delivery, Which Intervention Leads to the Best Outcomes?

Depression, anxiety and stress in women with breech pregnancy compared to women with cephalic presentation-a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

This study aims to evaluate the level of psychological distress for women with breech compared to cephalic presentation. We hypothesized, that women with breech presentation have higher levels of depression, stress and anxiety. Secondary objectives were to analyze potential demographic risk factors and comorbidity of psychological distress in breech pregnancy.

METHODS

The breech study group was formed by 379 women with breech presentation. A sample of 128 women with cephalic presentation was recruited during routine clinical care. Depression, anxiety and stress symptoms were ascertained by means of the Depression-Anxiety-Stress-Score (DASS)-21 questionnaire. Categorial data was analyzed with Chi-square or exact test, continuous data with unpaired t test or Mann-Whitney U test. Demographic risk factors were identified using a binary logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Prevalence of psychological distress among women with breech was not higher compared to those of other pregnant women. Symptomatic depression, anxiety and stress affected 5.8%, 14.5% and 11.9% of women with breech, respectively. Decreasing age was identified as a risk factor for anxiety (p = 0.006). Multiparity increased risk for depression (p = 0.001), for anxiety (p = 0.026) and for perinatal stress (p = 0.010). More than 80% of women with depressive symptoms had comorbidities of psychological distress.

CONCLUSIONS

Breech presentation compared to cephalic presentation was not associated with higher levels of psychological distress. However, breech pregnancies are affected by symptoms of potential mental disorder. Multiparous women and younger women may need additional support and would benefit from a standardized screening tool for the assessment of perinatal psychological distress.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Ethical approval (EA2/241/18) was granted by the Ethics Commission of the Charité University Hospital on the 23.01.2019 (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03827226).

Comparing forces on the fetal neck in breech delivery in lithotomy versus all-fours position: a simulation model

PURPOSE

To measure forces applied to the fetal neck, in a simulation model for breech delivery, in both lithotomy versus all-fours position.

METHODS

We used a Laerdal SimMom simulator and a Birthing Baby together with PROMPT Flex Software. The descent of the fetus was accomplished using the Automatic Delivery Module 2. The baby was always in breech position; the SimMom in either all-fours or lithotomy positions. Sensors were located inside the fetal neck region to simulate forces applied to the plexus.

RESULTS

The lowest force on the fetal neck region was recorded for the delivery in all-fours position without further maneuvers (mean force 58.70 Newton, standard deviation 2.54 N). As weight was added to the baby, the force increased (i.e. + 500 g, mean force 71.8 N, SD 3.08 N, p < 0.001). Delivery in lithotomy position resulted in a mean force of 81.56 N (SD 19.55 N). The force significantly increased in case of delivery of the head without assistance from contractions (mean force 127.93 N, SD 23.10 N). In all-fours position, the delivery of the fetal head from pelvic floor level without contractions (Frank's Nudge maneuver) resulted in a mean force of 118.45 N (SD 15.48 N, p = 0.02). Maneuvers for shoulder dystocia (the inverted type that can occur during breech delivery) led to significantly higher mean forces independent from birthing positions.

CONCLUSION

Breech delivery in all-fours position was associated with the lowest force acting on the fetal neck in our simulation model.

Maternal and fetal risks of planned vaginal breech delivery vs planned caesarean section for term breech birth: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Breech presentation delivery approach is a controversial issue in obstetrics. How to cope with breech delivery (vaginal or C-section) has been discussed to find the safest in terms of morbidity. The aim of this study was to assess the risks of foetal and maternal mortality and perinatal morbidity associated with vaginal delivery against elective caesarean in breech presentations, as reported in observational studies.

Methods

Studies assessing perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with breech presentations births. Cochrane, Medline, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cuiden databases were consulted. This protocol was registered in PROSPERO CRD42020197598. Selection criteria were: years between 2010 and 2020, in English language, and full-term gestation (37-42 weeks). The methodological quality of the eligible articles was assessed according to the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Meta-analyses were performed to study each parameter related to neonatal mortality and maternal morbidity.

Results

The meta-analysis included 94 285 births with breech presentation. The relative risk of perinatal mortality was 5.48 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.61-11.51) times higher in the vaginal delivery group, 4.12 (95% CI = 2.46-6.89) for birth trauma and 3.33 (95% CI = 1.95-5.67) for Apgar results. Maternal morbidity showed a relative risk 0.30 (95% CI = 0.13-0.67) times higher in the planned caesarean group.

Conclusions

An increment in the risk of perinatal mortality, birth trauma, and Apgar lower than 7 was identified in planned vaginal delivery. However, the risk of severe maternal morbidity because of complications of a planned caesarean was slightly higher.

Delivery mode-associated gut microbiota in the first 3 months of life in a country with high obesity rates: A descriptive study

Delivery methods during childbirth and their related gut microbiota profiles have important impacts on health later in life, they can contribute to the development of diseases such as obesity, whose highest prevalence rate is found among the Mexican child population. Coincidentally, Mexico has one of the highest global average annual rate increase in cesarean births (C-section). Since Mexico leads the world in childhood obesity, studying the relationship between childbirth delivery methods and gut microbiota profiles in this vulnerable population may be used to identify early risk factors for obesity in other developed and developing countries. The objective of this study is to determine the association between child delivery method and gut microbiota profiles in healthy Mexican newborns.Fecal samples of 57 term infants who participated in a randomized clinical trial in 2013 to study the safety of Agave fructans in newborns, were used in this study. DNA samples were extracted and used to characterize the microbiota composition using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The samples were further divided based on childbirth delivery method, as well as early diet. Gut microbiota profiles were determined and analyzed using cluster analysis followed by multiple correspondence analysis.An unusual high abundance of Proteobacteria was found in the gut microbiota of all Mexican infants studied, regardless of delivery method. Feces from infants born by C-section had low levels of Bacteroidetes, high levels of Firmicutes, especially Clostridium and Enterococcus, and a strikingly high ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F:B). Profiles enriched in Bacteroidetes and low F:B ratios, were strongly associated with vaginal delivery.The profile of gut microbiota associated with feces from Mexican infants born by C-section, may be added to the list of boosting factors for the worrying obesity epidemic in Mexico.

Cesarean Section Rate Analysis in a Tertiary Hospital in Portugal According to Robson Ten Group Classification System

OBJECTIVE

 The Robson 10 group classification system (RTGCS) is a reproducible, clinically relevant and prospective classification system proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a global standard for assessing, monitoring and comparing cesarean section (CS) rates. The purpose of the present study is to analyze CS rates according to the RTGCS over a 3-year period and to identify the main contributors to this rate.

METHODS

 We reviewed data regarding deliveries performed from 2014 up to 2016 in a tertiary hospital in Portugal, and classified all women according to the RTGCS. We analyzed the CS rate in each group.

RESULTS

 We included data from 6,369 deliveries. Groups 1 (n = 1,703), 2 (n = 1,229) and 3 (n = 1,382) represented 67.7% of the obstetric population. The global CS rate was 25% (n = 1,594). Groups 1, 2, 5 and 10 were responsible for 74.2% of global CS deliveries.

CONCLUSION

 As expected, Groups 1, 2, 5 and 10 were the greatest contributors to the overall CS rate. An attempt to increase the number of vaginal deliveries in these groups, especially in Groups 2 and 5, might contribute to the reduction of the CS rate.

Maternal and neonatal outcome after vaginal breech delivery of nulliparous versus multiparous women of singletons at term-A prospective evaluation of the Frankfurt breech at term cohort (FRABAT)

INTRODUCTION

The best way to deliver a term breech infant is still a much discussed topic among obstetricians. The question whether nulliparity should be considered an exclusion criterion for an intended vaginal breech delivery is not fully answered.

OBJECTIVE

We compared maternal and neonatal outcome of intended vaginal breech deliveries of nulliparous versus multiparous women at term.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a prospective case-control study between January 2004 and December 2016. 1046 women expecting singletons at term with favorable pelvic measurements were enrolled in the study.

RESULTS

Neonatal morbidity and mortality was not significantly different in deliveries of nulliparous (n = 647) versus multiparous (n = 399) women. Nulliparous women had a significantly higher rate of a cesarean section during labor than multiparous women. Maternal birth-injury rates and the use of epidural anesthesia were significantly higher comparing vaginal births of nulliparous (n = 384) versus multiparous (n = 331) women.

CONCLUSION

Nulliparity seems not be an exclusion criterion for intended vaginal breech birth at term. It is still important to inform the women of an increased risk of a cesarean section during labor. A clinical management built on this evidence might reduce negative implications for future pregnancies.

Breech presentation delivery care: A review of childbirth semiology, mechanism and care

Objective

To review the concepts underlying breech presentation delivery as well as the semiology and the obstetric maneuvers contributing to a successful perinatal maternal outcome.

Materials and methods

Based on a hypothetical scenario to set the stage for a practical approach to the topic, an explanatory paper built on a narrative review is created in order to examine the principles related to diagnosis, mechanism of delivery and maternal care, emphasizing maneuvers to ease fetal extraction.

Results

Breech presentation delivery must be managed through the vaginal canal when already in the expulsion phase with fetal engagement. For diagnosis and care, it is essential to know the unique semiology and physiology of this condition as well as the obstetric maneuvers to facilitate an uncomplicated delivery.

Results

The mechanism of childbirth in breech presentation is complex and requires knowledge of its physiology and multiple obstetric maneuvers on the part of the obstetrician as well as the general practitioner, in order to ensure adequate care when there is no other option.