Can we improve antenatal detection of breech presentation? V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Do specific maternal sensations experienced in late pregnancy correlate to a breech presenting baby? Development and evaluation of a maternal questionnaire.
IRAS ID
143661
Contact name
Anita Hedditch
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Caesarean Section (CS) has become the common mode of birth for a breech presenting baby (buttocks or feet presenting) at term. Breech presentation has become one of the four recognised reasons for CS over the past 20 years. Another cause of CS is the electively chosen one following a previous CS birth. It can be seen therefore that CS for breech is a contributor to this. Whilst safe for the baby, CS poses a 2.84 greater maternal morbidity risk than vaginal birth and this risk increases with each subsequent CS performed.
An alternative to CS for a breech presentation is external cephalic version (ECV), a safe procedure that turns a baby from a breech presentation to cephalic one (a headfirst presentation). It is achieved through maternal abdominal manipulation and has a 50% success rate. Following a successful ECV, an 82% chance of cephalic vaginal birth has been proven, but efficacy depends on timely ante-natal detection and referral for ECV. However, recent evidence suggests that detection of breech presentation has declined over the last 15 years.
The overall aim of this project is therefore to improve the antenatal detection rate of breech babies towards the end of pregnancy. This would allow timely ECV and consequently reduce maternal risk in birth. To achieve this, we propose to develop and evaluate a maternal questionnaire and identify if it has potential to increase antenatal breech detection. The idea for this study has been developed by midwives who run a weekly ECV clinic, it has its basis in conversations with women highlighting common sensations of carrying a breech presenting baby. We aim to develop a questionnaire and test the correlation of the developed questions with breech presentation, if a positive correlation is found it will provide evidence for larger scale study.REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SW/0025
Date of REC Opinion
12 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion