Cephalic Presentation (cephalic + presentation)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Cervical spinal cord injury following cephalic presentation and delivery by Caesarean section

DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 4 2001
C Morgan MD MRCP MRCPCH
We describe a term infant with an acute spinal cord injury following emergency Caesarean section. Foetal movements were normal on the day that the mother was admitted for postterm induction of labour. Caesarean section was performed because of foetal distress and failure to progress during labour. The initial clinical picture suggested acute birth asphyxia. The presence of a high cervical spine injury became more obvious as the clinical picture evolved over the next 7 days. A discontinuity of the cervical spinal cord at C4,5 was confirmed on MRI. Spontaneous respiration failed to develop and intensive care was withdrawn on day 15. No evidence of trauma, or a vascular, neurological, or congenital anomaly of the cervical spinal cord was found at post mortem. The absence of a similar case following cephalic presentation and Caesarean section made bereavement couselling of the parents especially difficult. [source]


Tocolysis and delayed delivery versus emergency delivery in cases of non-reassuring fetal status during labor

JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 3 2007
Leonel Briozzo
Abstract Aim:, To determine whether fetal intrauterine resuscitation using tocolysis and delayed delivery is better for the fetus than emergency delivery when fetal hypoxia is suspected because of a non-reassuring fetal heart-rate (FHR) pattern using conventional heart rate monitoring. Methods:, This was a prospective and randomized study, conducted between 2001 and 2004 at Pereira Rossell Hospital, Montevideo, Uruguay. The population consisted of 390 fetuses, in which intrauterine distress was diagnosed using electronic FHR monitoring. Of these, 197 were randomly assigned to the emergency delivery group and 193 to the fetal intrauterine resuscitation group. The inclusion criteria were: term singleton pregnancy, in labor, cephalic presentation, and no placental accidents. Results:, The time between randomization and birth was 16.9 ± 7.6 min (mean ± SD) for the emergency delivery group, and 34.5 ± 11.7 min (mean ± SD) for the resuscitation group. The relative risk (RR) of acidosis in the umbilical artery (pH < 7.1) in the emergency delivery group was 1.47 (0.95,2.27). The RR of base deficit ,12 mEq/L in the emergency delivery group was higher than in the resuscitation group (RR = 1.48 [1.0,2.2], P = 0.04). When considering the need for admission to the neonatal care unit, the relative risk was higher in the emergency delivery group than in the resuscitation group (RR = 2.14 [1.23·3.74], P = 0.005). No maternal adverse effects were reported. Conclusion:, Tocolysis and delayed delivery renders better immediate neonatal results than emergency delivery when fetal distress is suspected because of a non-reassuring fetal heart pattern. In addition, it may decrease the need for emergency delivery without increasing maternal and fetal adverse side-effects. [source]


A survey of pregnant women's attitude towards breech delivery and external cephalic version

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 3 2000
Tak Yeung Leung
SUMMARY A structured interview survey was carried out in 150 women who came for their first antenatal visit in a university hospital in Hong Kong between June and July 1998. Their opinions and perceptions of fetal and maternal safeties on different modes of delivery for both cephalic and breech presentation, and external cephalic version (ECV) were surveyed. Their decisions on the management of term breech-presenting pregnancy were examined. Most women (92%) preferred vaginal delivery to Caesarean delivery (CS) in case of cephalic presentation, mainly because it was a natural way of parturition. They perceived that vaginal delivery was safer than CS for both mothers and babies, but the reverse was true for breech presentation. About 82% chose ECV as the first choice of managing breech presentation, mainly because a successful version allowed a natural way of delivery. Only 2% of women considered ECV ineffective, and 13.3% and 18.7% considered it not safe for mothers and fetuses respectively. Therefore, ECV should be an available option in all obstetric units. Adequate counselling and explanation would improve the acceptance of ECV. [source]


Oral nifepidine versus subcutaneous terbutaline tocolysis for external cephalic version: a double-blind randomised trial

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
R Collaris
Objective, To evaluate oral nifedipine versus subcutaneous terbutaline tocolysis for external cephalic version (ECV). Design, A double-blind randomised trial. Setting, A university hospital in Malaysia. Population, Non-labouring women with a term singleton fetus in breech presentation or transverse lie suitable for elective ECV. Methods, Participants were randomised to either 10 mg oral nifedipine tablet and subcutaneous saline placebo or oral placebo tablet and 250 microgram bolus terbutaline subcutaneously. Participants and providers were blinded. Ultrasound assessment and cardiotocogram were performed prior to ECV. ECV was commenced 20,30 minutes after treatment. A maximum of two ECV attempts were permitted. Elective caesarean delivery or a repeat ECV attempt at a later date was offered to participants following failed ECV. After successful ECV, management was expectant. Main outcome measures, Primary outcomes were successful ECV (cephalic presentation immediately after ECV) and caesarean delivery. Results, Ninety women were randomised: 44 to nifedipine and 46 to terbutaline. Initial ECV success rate was 15/44 (34.1%) versus 24/46 (52.2%) (relative risk [RR] 0.7, 95% CI 0.4,1.1; P= 0.094), and caesarean delivery rate was 34/44 (77.3%) versus 26/46 (56.5%) (RR 1.4, 95% CI 1.01,1.85; numbers needed to treat to benefit 5, 95% CI 2.5,55; P= 0.046) for nifedipine and terbutaline groups, respectively. Neonatal outcome was not different. Conclusions, Bolus subcutaneous terbutaline tocolysis for ECV compared with oral nifedipine resulted in less caesarean deliveries. ECV success rate was not significantly higher. Larger studies are indicated. [source]


Influence of mode of delivery on neonatal mortality in the second twin, at and before term

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 12 2008
A Herbst
Design, To study the association between mode of delivery and neonatal mortality in second twins. To study the association between caesarean delivery and mortality with minimum bias of the indication for the operation, we wanted to compare the outcome of second twins delivered by caesarean due to breech presentation of the sibling with vaginally delivered second twins in uncomplicated pregnancies. Setting, Sweden, 1980,2004 Population, Twins born during 1980,2004 were identified from the Swedish Medical Birth Registry. Twin pairs delivered by caesarean due to breech presentation of the first twin, and vaginally delivered twins with the first twin in cephalic presentation were included. Pregnancies with antepartum complications were excluded. Methods, Odds ratios and 95% CI were calculated using multiple logistic regression analyses, adjusting for year of birth, maternal age, parity and gestational age. Main outcome measures, Neonatal mortality. Results, Compared with second-born twins delivered vaginally, second-born twins delivered by caesarean (for breech presentation of the sibling) had a lower risk of neonatal death (adjusted OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.19,0.83). The decreased risk after caesarean delivery was significant for births before 34 weeks (2.1 versus 9.0%; adjusted OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.17,0.95). After 34 weeks, neonatal mortality was low in both groups (0.1 and 0.2%, respectively), and the difference was not statistically significant (adjusted OR 0.42; 95% CI 0.10,1.79). Conclusions, Neonatal mortality is lower for the second twin after caesarean delivery at birth before 34 weeks. At term, mortality is low irrespective of delivery mode. [source]


Pelvic floor disorders 4 years after first delivery: a comparative study of restrictive versus systematic episiotomy

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
X Fritel
Objective, To compare two policies for episiotomy: restrictive and systematic. Design, Quasi-randomised comparative study. Setting, Two French university hospitals with contrasting policies for episiotomy: one using episiotomy restrictively and the second routinely. Population, Seven hundred and seventy-four nulliparous women delivered during 1996 of a singleton in cephalic presentation at a term of 37,41 weeks. Methods, A questionnaire was mailed 4 years after delivery. Sample size was calculated to allow us to show a 10% difference in the prevalence of urinary incontinence with 80% power. Main outcome measures, Urinary incontinence, anal incontinence, perineal pain, and pain during intercourse. Results, We received 627 responses (81%), 320 from women delivered under the restrictive policy, 307 from women delivered under the routine policy. In the restrictive group, 186 (49%) deliveries included mediolateral episiotomies and in the routine group, 348 (88%). Four years after the first delivery, there was no difference in the prevalence of urinary incontinence (26 versus 32%), perineal pain (6 versus 8%), or pain during intercourse (18 versus 21%) between the two groups. Anal incontinence was less prevalent in the restrictive group (11 versus 16%). The difference was significant for flatus (8 versus 13%) but not for faecal incontinence (3% for both groups). Logistic regression confirmed that a policy of routine episiotomy was associated with a risk of anal incontinence nearly twice as high as the risk associated with a restrictive policy (OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.05,3.22). Conclusions, A policy of routine episiotomy does not protect against urinary or anal incontinence 4 years after first delivery. [source]


Maternal anthropometric risk factors for caesarean delivery before or after onset of labour

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 9 2007
A Sherrard
Objective, To quantify the effects of pre-pregnancy body mass and gestational weight gain, above and beyond their known effects on birthweight, on the risk of primary and repeat caesarean delivery performed before or after the onset of labour. Design, Hospital-based historical cohort study. Setting, Canadian university-affiliated hospital. Population, A total of 63 390 singleton term (,37 weeks gestation) infants with cephalic presentation. Methods, We studied prospectively archived deliveries at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Canada, from 1 January 1978 to 31 March 2001 using multiple logistic regression models to estimate relative odds of caesarean delivery. Main outcome measure, Caesarean delivery, primary or repeat and before or after the onset of labour. Results, Pregravid obesity (body mass index ,30 kg/m2) increased the likelihood of primary caesarean delivery before (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.39,2.90) and after (OR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.86,2.42) the onset of labour. High net rate of gestational weight gain (>0.50 kg/week) increased the risk but only after labour onset (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.23,1.60). Among women with a previous caesarean, high weight gain modestly increased risk but only before labour (OR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.04,1.83), whereas obesity increased the risk of caesarean delivery both before (OR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.44,2.37) and after (OR = 1.96, 95% CI 1.11,3.47) labour onset. Increased risks of macrosomia accounted for the association between pregravid adiposity and repeat caesarean delivery performed after but not before the onset of labour. Conclusions, Pregravid obesity increases the risk of caesarean delivery both before and after the onset of labour and both with and without a history of caesarean. [source]


Trends in mode of delivery during 1984,2003: can they be explained by pregnancy and delivery complications?

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 7 2007
CM O'Leary
Objectives, To describe trends in mode of delivery, to identify significant factors which affected mode of delivery, and to describe how these factors and their impact have changed over time. Design, Total population birth cohort. Setting, Western Australia 1984,2003. Participants, The analysis was restricted to all singleton infants delivered at 37,42 weeks of gestation with a cephalic presentation (n= 432 327). Methods, Logistic regression analyses were undertaken to estimate significant independent risk factors separately for elective and emergency caesarean sections compared with vaginal delivery (spontaneous and instrumental), adjusting for potential confounding variables. Main outcome measures, Trends in mode of delivery, demographic factors, and pregnancy and delivery complications. Estimated likelihood of elective caesarean section compared with vaginal delivery and emergency caesarean section compared with vaginal delivery. Results, Between 1984,88 and 1999,2003, the likelihood of women having an elective caesarean section increased by a factor of 2.35 times (95% CI 2.28,2.42) and the likelihood of an emergency caesarean section increased 1.89 times (95% CI 1.83,1.96). These caesarean section rate increases remained even after adjustment for their strong associations with many sociodemographic factors, obstetric risk factors, and obstetric complications. Rates of caesarean section were higher in older mothers, especially those older than 40 years of age (elective caesarean section, OR 5.42 [95% CI 4.88,6.01]; emergency caesarean section, OR 2.67 [95% CI 2.39,2.97]), and in nulliparous women (elective caesarean section, OR 1.54 [95% CI 1.47,1.61]; emergency caesarean section, OR 3.61 [95% CI 3.47,3.76]). Conclusions, Our data show significant changes in mode of delivery in Western Australia from 1984,2003, with an increasing trend in both elective and emergency caesarean section rates that do not appear to be explained by increased risk or indication. [source]


A randomised controlled trial of moxibustion for breech presentation

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 6 2005
Francesco Cardini
Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of moxibustion for the correction of fetal breech presentation in a non-Chinese population. Design Single-blind randomised controlled trial (RCT). Setting Six obstetric departments in Italy. Sample Healthy non-Chinese nulliparous pregnant women at 32,33 weeks + 3 days of gestational age with the fetus in breech presentation. Methods Random assignment to treatment or observation. Treatment consisted of moxibustion (stimulation with heat from a stick of Artemisia vulgaris) at the BL 67 acupuncture point (Zhiyin) for one or two weeks. Two weeks after recruitment, each participant was subjected to an ultrasonic examination of the fetal presentation. Main outcome measure Number of participants with cephalic presentation in the 35th week. Results The study was interrupted when 123 participants had been recruited (46% of the planned sample). Intermediate data monitoring revealed a high number of treatment interruptions. At this point no difference was found in cephalic presentation in the 35th week (treatment group: 22/65, 34%; control group: 21/58, 36%; RR 0.95; 99% CI 0.59,1.5). Conclusions The results underline the methodological problems evaluating of a traditional treatment transferred from a different cultural context. They do not support either the effectiveness or the ineffectiveness of moxibustion in correcting fetal breech presentation. [source]


Review of singleton fetal and neonatal deaths associated with cranial trauma and cephalic delivery during a national intrapartum-related confidential enquiry

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 5 2005
Fidelma O'Mahony
Objective To review delivery details of intrapartum-related fetal and neonatal deaths with singleton cephalic presentation and birthweight of 2500 g or more in which traumatic cranial or cervical spine injury or substantial difficulty at delivery of the head was a dominant feature. Design Review of freestyle summary reports and standard questionnaire responses submitted to the national secretariat for the Confidential Enquiry into Stillbirths and Death in Infancy (CESDI) during the 1994/1995 intrapartum-related mortality enquiry following regional multidisciplinary panel review. Setting United Kingdom. Sample Of the 873 cases of intrapartum-related deaths reported in the 1994,1995 national enquiry, 709 weighed more than 2499 g. Reports from 181 (89 from 1994 and 92 from 1995) with a chance of meeting criteria for cranial or cervical trauma as significant contributors to death were examined in detail. Thirty-seven were judged to meet the criteria stated in the objectives (23 from 1994 and 14 from 1995) and form the basis for this review. Methods Electronic and hand search of CESDI records relating to intrapartum-related deaths. Main outcome measures Intrapartum events and features of care. Results There was evidence of fetal compromise present before birth in 33 of the 37 (89%) study group cases reviewed. One delivery was performed vaginally without instrumentation, and in one there was no attempt at vaginal delivery before caesarean section (CS) in the second stage of labour. Twenty-four cases (65%) were delivered vaginally and 11 (30%) by CS after failure to deliver vaginally with instruments. A single instrument was used in six cases of vaginal delivery (four ventouse and two Kjelland's forceps). At least two separate attempts with different instruments were made in 24 cases. Overall, the ventouse was used in 27 cases and forceps in 29 cases. In six cases, three separate attempts were made with at least two different instruments, all of which included use of ventouse. The grade of operator was recorded in 27 cases. Of these, a consultant obstetrician was present at only one delivery and no consultant was recorded to have made the first attempt to deliver a baby. In six cases, shoulder dystocia was also reported. Conclusions This study suggests a lower incidence of death from difficult cephalic delivery and cranial trauma than previously reported. The CESDI studies were believed to have achieved high levels of ascertainment for all intrapartum-related deaths from which the cases reported here were selected. Strictly applied entry criteria used in this study could have restricted the number of cases considered as could limited in vivo or postmortem investigations and lack of detailed autopsy. When cranial traumatic injury was observed, it was almost always associated with physical difficulty at delivery and the use of instruments. The use of ventouse as the primary or only instrument did not prevent this outcome. Some injuries occurred apparently without evidence of unreasonable force, but poorly judged persistence with attempts at vaginal delivery in the presence of failure to progress or signs of fetal compromise were the main contributory factor regardless of which instruments were used. [source]


Tocolysis for repeat external cephalic version in breech presentation at term: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 5 2005
Lawrence Impey
Background External cephalic version (ECV) reduces the incidence of breech presentation at term and caesarean section for non-cephalic births. Tocolytics may improve success rates, but are time consuming, may cause side effects and have not been proven to alter caesarean section rates. The aim of this trial was to determine whether tocolysis should be used if ECV is being re-attempted after a failed attempt. Objective To determine whether tocolysis should be used if ECV is being re-attempted after a failed attempt. Design Randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Setting UK teaching hospital. Population One hundred and twenty-four women with a breech presentation at term who had undergone an unsuccessful attempt at ECV. Methods Relative risks with 95% confidence intervals for categorical variables and a t test for continuous variables. Analysis was by intention to treat. Main outcome measures Incidence of cephalic presentation at delivery. Secondary outcomes were caesarean section and measures of neonatal and maternal morbidity. Results The use of tocolysis for a repeat attempt at ECV significantly increases the incidence of cephalic presentation at delivery (RR 3.21; 95% CI 1.23,8.39) and reduces the incidence of caesarean section (RR 0.33; 95% CI 0.14,0.80). The effects were most marked in multiparous women (RR for cephalic presentation at delivery 9.38; 95% CI 1.64,53.62). Maternal and neonatal morbidity remain unchanged. Conclusions The use of tocolysis increases the success rate of repeat ECV and reduces the incidence of caesarean section. A policy of only using tocolysis where an initial attempt has failed leads to a relatively high success rate with minimum usage of tocolysis. [source]


Unexpected reduction in the incidence of birth trauma and birth asphyxia related to instrumental deliveries during the study period: was this the Hawthorne effect?

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 3 2003
W.C. Leung
Objective The study was originally designed to identify the risk factors that could predict those difficult instrumental deliveries resulting in birth trauma and birth asphyxia. Design A prospective study on all singleton deliveries in cephalic presentation with an attempt of instrumental delivery over a 12-month period (13 March 2000 to 12 March 2001). Setting A local teaching hospital. Sample Six hundred and seventy deliveries. Methods A codesheet was designed to record the demographic data, characteristics of first and second stages of labour and neonatal outcome. In particular, the doctor had to enter the pelvic examination findings before the attempt of instrumental delivery. Main outcome measures Birth trauma and birth asphyxia. Results There was a significant reduction in the incidence of birth trauma and birth asphyxia related to instrumental deliveries during the study period (0.6%) when compared with that (2.8%) in the pre-study period (1998 and 1999) (RR 0.27, 95% CI 0.11,0.70). There was more trial of instrumental deliveries in the operating theatre although this was not statistically significant (RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.88,1.60). The instrumental delivery rate decreased during the study period (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.82,0.94). The caesarean section rate for no progress of labour, the incidence of direct second stage caesarean section and the incidence of failed instrumental delivery did not increase during the study period. Conclusions Apart from the merits of regular audit exercise and increasing experience of the staff, the Hawthorne effect might be the major contributing factor in the reduction of birth trauma and birth asphyxia related to instrumental deliveries during the study period. [source]


Maternal thyroid hormone concentration during late gestation is associated with foetal position at birth

CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 5 2009
Hennie A. Wijnen
Summary Objective, To evaluate whether there is an association between maternal thyroid hormone and foetal cephalic head position at term gestation. Context, Rotation and flexion of the head enables the foetus to negotiate the birth canal. Low-normal range thyroid hormone concentrations in euthyroid pregnant women constitute a risk of infant motor abnormality. We hypothesized that low normal maternal thyroid hormone levels are associated with increased risk of abnormal foetal position at delivery. Design, In 960 healthy Dutch women with term gestation and cephalic foetal presentation, thyroid parameters [foetal T4 (FT4), TSH and thyroid peroxidase antibody] were assessed at 36 weeks of gestation, and related to foetal head position (anterior cephalic vs. abnormal cephalic) and delivery mode (spontaneous vs. assisted delivery). Results, Women presenting in anterior position (n = 891) had significantly higher FT4 levels at 36 weeks of gestation than those with abnormal cephalic presentation (n = 69). There were no between-group differences for TSH. Regression analyses indicated that the risk of abnormal head position decreased as a function of increasing FT4 [single odds ratio (OR) = 0·87, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0·77,0·98; multivariate OR = 0·88, 95% CI 0·72,0·99)]. A similar inverse relationship between maternal FT4 and risk of assisted delivery was obtained (OR = 0·86, 95% CI 0·79,0·95; OR = 0·91, 95% CI 0·84,0·98). Conclusion, The lower the maternal FT4 concentration at 36 weeks of gestation, the higher the risk of abnormal cephalic foetal presentation and assisted delivery. [source]