NEONATAL PERFORMANCE OF THE SELECTED TERM VAGINAL BREECH DELIVERY

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 56  (6) , 687-691
Abstract
Several authorities have recommended cesarean section for all intrapartum breech presentations. Judiciously selected fetuses at term in breech presentation may be safely delivered vaginally by a selective management protocol that requires cesarean section when mandated criteria are not met. The outcome and performance of 6 yr of vaginal breech deliveries were evaluated. Those in the control groups were delivered by spontaneous vertex vaginal and elective repeat cesarean section procedures. Morbidity was not different in the protocol breech vaginal delivery group and in the controls. Mortality was found only in the nonprotocol-managed breech vaginal delivery group, which also had a morbidity 5 times greater than that of controls. Approximately half the term breech presentations that are properly selected and managed may be safely delivered vaginally, thereby avoiding a significant number of cesarean sections and the subsequent inherent risks.

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