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Induction of labor in breech presentations at term: a retrospective observational study

  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether induction of breech delivery at term is feasible and safe for mother and child compared with spontaneous vaginal breech delivery.

Study design

A total of 268 singleton term breech deliveries with an attempted vaginal delivery were identified in a single-center retrospective observational study. Out of these, 73 cases had an induction of labor for various medical and obstetric reasons and were compared to 195 spontaneous singleton breech deliveries. The main outcome measure was the mode of delivery. Secondary outcomes included maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Results

The vaginal delivery rate in the induction group was 64.4 % compared with 80 % in the spontaneous delivery group. No statistical differences were observed between the two delivery groups regarding neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality.

Conclusions

The vaginal delivery rate was significantly lower in induced than in spontaneous breech deliveries. The neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality rates were similar implying that induction in breech delivery is an option and it is time for clinical reappraisal.

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Acknowledgments

The authors declare no source of funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 2, 00029, Helsinki, Finland

    Georg Macharey, Veli-Matti Ulander, Seppo Heinonen, Mika Nuutila & Mervi Väisänen-Tommiska

  2. Department of Health and Social Affairs, Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, Idstein, Germany

    Karel Kostev

Authors
  1. Georg Macharey
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  2. Veli-Matti Ulander
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  3. Seppo Heinonen
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  4. Karel Kostev
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  5. Mika Nuutila
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  6. Mervi Väisänen-Tommiska
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Correspondence to Georg Macharey.

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The authors have no conflicts of interest. The authors state that they have full control of all primary data and they agree to allow the Journal to review their data if requested.

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Macharey, G., Ulander, VM., Heinonen, S. et al. Induction of labor in breech presentations at term: a retrospective observational study. Arch Gynecol Obstet 293, 549–555 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3853-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3853-4

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