OptiBreech Care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The OptiBreech Care Trial: a feasibility study for a pragmatic trial of care for women with a breech-presenting baby at term
IRAS ID
303028
Contact name
Shawn Walker
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN14521381
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
Research Summary:
We want to know whether it is possible to compare care for vaginal breech birth from a specialist team ('OptiBreech Care') with turning the baby head-down (external cephalic version, 'ECV'), for women whose baby is breech (bottom-down) at the end of pregnancy. Vaginal breech birth where there is no control for the experience of attendants is not as safe as head-first birth. It is not currently known whether specialist teams can improve safety.We have designed the study this way because women have told us they would like more information about how experienced breech care compares to head-first birth after turning the baby. They have said the information will help them to make decisions about what is safest for them and their baby, and potentially provide them with more options about how to give birth.
Women with otherwise healthy pregnancies, who are planning a vaginal birth prior to finding out their baby is breech, and have not yet had an attempt at turning the baby (ECV) are eligible to participate. Consenting participants in sites able to provide specialist care will be allocated by chance (‘randomised’) to either OptiBreech care or ECV during a six month period. They can choose to accept or decline it, as in standard maternity care.
The professionals who provide care will record information about how much and what kind of care women have in pregnancy and during birth. This information will be kept separate from any personal details. The study team will send participants follow-up surveys at 1 month, 3-4 months, 1 year and 2 years following the birth.
The study is funded by the NIHR. King’s College London is organising the study. The study will take place in 4 NHS hospitals from December 2021 - August 2023.
Lay summary of study results: Links to all publications associated with this research are available from the OptiBreech website:
https://optibreech.uk/publications/REC name
London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0808
Date of REC Opinion
23 Nov 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion