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Optimal Time Intervals for Vaginal Breech Births: A Case-Control Study
  • Emma Spillane,
  • Shawn Walker,
  • Christine McCourt
Emma Spillane
Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Corresponding Author:emma@breechbirth.org.uk

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Shawn Walker
King's College London
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Christine McCourt
City University London
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Abstract

Objective: To test the predictive value of the Physiological Breech Birth Algorithm. Design: Retrospective case-control study Setting: Teaching Hospital, United Kingdom Population/sample: Cases were all vaginal breech births >37 weeks’ gestation where neonatal admission or death occurred between April 2012 and April 2020. Controls were the two term breech births without admission immediately prior to the cases. Methods: Data was collected from intrapartum care records and analysed using SPSS v26 statistical software. The chi-square test was used to determine association between exposure to the variables of interest and admission to the neonatal unit. Multiple logistic regression was used to test the predictive value of delays defined as non-adherence to the Algorithm. Main outcome measures: Intervals between the start of labour, the start of second stage of labour and various stages of emergence (presenting part, buttocks, pelvis, arms, head). Results: Logistic regressing modelling using the Algorithm time frames had an 84.2% accuracy, a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 92.3%. Delays between umbilicus and head >3 minutes (OR: 9.508 [95% CI: 1.390-65.046] p=0.022) and from buttocks on the perineum to head >7 minutes (OR: 6.682 [95% CI: 0.940-41.990] p=0.058) showed the most effect. Lengths of time until the first intervention were also longer among the cases, suggesting that at least some of this delay is modifiable. Conclusions: Improved recognition of delay and efficient assistance may help improve vaginal breech birth outcomes. Further research should determine whether training based on the Physiological Breech Birth Algorithm can reduce neonatal admissions.
16 Sep 2022Published in NIHR Open Research volume 2 on pages 45. 10.3310/nihropenres.13297.2