Induction of labor at term following external cephalic version in nulliparous women is associated with an increased risk of cesarean delivery

Factors associated with intrapartum cesarean section after a successful external cephalic version

PURPOSE

External cephalic version (ECV) is an effective procedure to reduce the breech presentation at term reducing the chances of cesarean section. However even after successful ECV reports suggests the risk of having a cesarean section is high. The study analyzes the mode of delivery after a successful ECV and to identify the factors associated with intrapartum cesarean delivery compared to those with spontaneous cephalic presentation.

METHODS

This study was based on labor and delivery details, from the ECV registers, of 430 women who had successful ECV and they compared to those with spontaneous cephalic presentation. Primary outcome was delivery by cesarean section. Multiple logistic regression model was used to assess independent association of frisk factors associated with intrapartum cesarean section delivery by cesarean section and were presented as Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

Cesarean section rates were similar among those who had a successful ECV and those with spontaneous cephalic presentation (22.3% vs 20.1%, p = 0.298). Women who had a successful ECV (OR = 1.5; (95%CI 1.13-1.98), maternal age (OR1.06-1.03-1.09), and previous delivery by cesarean section (OR = 5.16 (95%CI; 1.88-14.16) were found to associated with intrapartum cesarean section after adjusting for other factors.

CONCLUSION

Women who had a successful ECV had an increased risk of intrapartum cesarean section compared those women with spontaneous cephalic presentation. Further research should be performed to identify more risk factors, which could optimize intra-partum care to reduce the risk of cesarean section for women after successful ECV.

Influence of the external cephalic version attempt on the Cesarean section rate: experience of a type 3 maternity hospital in France

PURPOSE

To define the effects of attempted external cephalic version (ECV) in a low-risk population for breech delivery in a maternity hospital where breech vaginal delivery is widely practiced.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective exposed-unexposed study including 204 patients presented with a live singleton fetus breech presentation on third-trimester ultrasound and who delivered at Reims University Hospital between January 1st, 2013 and July 1st, 2018.

RESULTS

121 patients received ECV. Cesarean section rate was lower (OR with no adjustment 0.42 [0.24-0.76] p = 0.004) but without significant difference in the exposed patients after adjustment. This difference was significant between exposed and unexposed patients in the subgroup of 51 primiparous (OR = 0.14 [0.04-0.52] p = 0.002) and 51 multiparous (OR = 0.26 [0.08-0.89] p = 0.028) but not in the subgroup of 102 nulliparous. There was no difference in fetal impact other than neonatal management in the delivery room, which is less needed in exposed primiparous women. Attempted ECV significantly decreased the breech rate (72.5 vs 100%, p < 0.001). There were 7 (5.79%) complications. Three factors favored success: high uterine height (p = 0.011), a non-elevated BMI (p = 0.006) and an earlier term at ECV (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

The attempt of ECV in the Reims University Hospital does not significantly reduce the Cesarean section rate and has no effect on neonatal status.

Management of labor after external cephalic version

OBJECTIVES

Current literature evaluating the role of induction of labor (IOL) following successful external cephalic version (ECV) attempt as compared to expectant management is limited. We aim to assess the risk of cesarean delivery in those undergoing immediate IOL following successful ECV as compared to those who were expectantly managed.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of successful external cephalic versions. The study group included 57 women that were induced after procedure in the lack of maternal or fetal indications for induction of labor. These women were compared to 341 expectantly managed women. Maternal and fetal characteristics and outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

Gestation age at delivery was higher among the expectant management group (401/7 vs. 384/7, median, p=0.002) as compared to the induction group. Cesarean delivery rates were similar between both groups (28 [8.2%] vs. 3 [5.3%], p=0.44). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, only nulliparity was significantly associated with cesarean delivery (adjusted odds ratio 3.42, confidence interval 1.61-7.24, p=0.001). No correlation was found between the version-to-delivery interval and the risk for cesarean delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

Induction of labor after successful ECV was not shown to influence cesarean delivery rates. As immediate IOL may result in higher rate of early-term deliveries, and in light of the lack of clinical benefit, we advocate against elective IOL following successful ECV.

Successful vaginal delivery after external cephalic version (ECV): does time interval from ECV to delivery make a difference? A multicenter study

PURPOSE

The risk of cesarean delivery after a successful external cephalic version for breech presentation is higher as compared with fetuses in cephalic presentation. However, the role of the time interval between version attempt to delivery on the risk for cesarean delivery is unclear. We aimed to study the effect of the time interval from a successful external cephalic version to delivery on the risk for cesarean delivery and assess factors associated with cesarean delivery after a successful version.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter, retrospective cohort study, including all successful external cephalic version at two medical centers between 2011 and 2019. We compared patient baseline characteristics, obstetric characteristics, maternal and neonatal outcomes in women that delivered by vaginal delivery with those who delivered by cesarean delivery.

RESULTS

Overall, 769 deliveries were included. Of these, 98 women (12.7%) had cesarean delivery and 671 (87.3%) had vaginal delivery. Women who had cesarean delivery had a higher rate of obesity (44.9% vs 21.9%, p < 0.001; OR 2.88, CI 1.65-5.03) and nulliparity (45.9% vs 24.5%, p < 0.001; OR = 2.58, CI 1.67-3.98). The risk for intrapartum cesarean delivery did not differ according to time interval from external cephalic version to delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

The time interval between successful external cephalic version and delivery was not associated with mode of delivery. This finding is in contrast to previous reports. The risk for cesarean delivery after successful version is higher in nulliparous, obese women, and women whose weight gain in pregnancy was higher.

Induction of labor versus expectant management after successful external cephalic version

BACKGROUND

External cephalic version (ECV) is a common procedure for women carrying a breech-presenting fetus, in an effort to avoid a cesarean birth. The benefit of immediate labor induction after ECV vs. expectant management is undetermined. We aimed to evaluate whether induction of labor immediately after a successful ECV improves the chances of a vaginal delivery compared with expectant management.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 296 women who underwent successful ECV performed in term singleton gestations (2007-2018) in the Rabin Medical Center. Mode of delivery and other obstetrical and neonatal outcomes were compared between women undergoing immediate labor induction after ECV and those managed expectantly.

RESULTS

Of 296 women after successful ECVs, 54 (18.2%) underwent immediate labor induction and 242 (81.8%) were managed expectantly. Immediate induction was associated with higher parity (2.4 vs 1.7, P = .03) and lower mean birthweight (3128 vs 3346 g, P < .01). Mode of delivery was similar between groups, and no other significant differences in obstetrical and neonatal adverse outcomes were noted.

DISCUSSION

In our cohort, immediate labor induction after successful ECV apparently had no benefits in terms of obstetrical or neonatal complications, and did not reduce the risk of cesarean birth. Therefore, expectant management seems reasonable and safe.

Use of labor induction with dinoprostone vaginal suppositories in pregnant women with gestational hypertension

AIM

Gestational hypertension is a common disorder of pregnancy. This study aims to evaluate the effect of labor induction with dinoprostone vaginal suppositories (Propess) on pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with gestational hypertension.

METHODS

The retrospective study included 375 patients with gestational hypertension. All patients were included into three groups according to the characteristics at admission. Women who had initiated labor spontaneously at admission were enrolled in Spontaneous labor group. According to Bishop score, other patients underwent labor induction with Propess or oxytocin were enrolled in Propess group or Oxytocin group. Demographic information and perinatal outcome data were collected.

RESULTS

The vaginal delivery rate of the women with gestational hypertension was respectively 93.5% (Spontaneous labor group), 77.0% (Propess group), and 52.5% (Oxytocin group) in three groups with significant difference (P < 0.001). The duration of labor was 8.29 ± 3.70 h (Spontaneous labor group), 8.45 ± 5.21 h (Propess group) and 12.37 ± 11.47 h (Oxytocin group) in three groups, respectively. No differences were found in the intrapartum fever (P = 0.588), intrapartum hemorrhage (P = 0.953), intrapartum maximum blood pressure (P = 0.301 and P = 0.535) and post-partum hemorrhage (P = 0.075) among three groups. Neonatal outcomes were similar among three groups (Neonatal hospitalization rate, P = 0.437; 1-min Apgar score, P = 0.304; 5-min Apgar score, P = 0.340; Birth weight, P = 0.089). No poor maternal and neonatal outcomes occurred.

CONCLUSION

Pregnant women with gestational hypertension could have favorable pregnancy outcomes. Using Propess as a mode of labor induction in gestational hypertension is safe and effective, without increasing intrapartum blood pressure and inducing poor pregnancy outcomes.

Screening for breech presentation using universal late-pregnancy ultrasonography: A prospective cohort study and cost effectiveness analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite the relative ease with which breech presentation can be identified through ultrasound screening, the assessment of foetal presentation at term is often based on clinical examination only. Due to limitations in this approach, many women present in labour with an undiagnosed breech presentation, with increased risk of foetal morbidity and mortality. This study sought to determine the cost effectiveness of universal ultrasound scanning for breech presentation near term (36 weeks of gestational age [wkGA]) in nulliparous women.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

The Pregnancy Outcome Prediction (POP) study was a prospective cohort study between January 14, 2008 and July 31, 2012, including 3,879 nulliparous women who attended for a research screening ultrasound examination at 36 wkGA. Foetal presentation was assessed and compared for the groups with and without a clinically indicated ultrasound. Where breech presentation was detected, an external cephalic version (ECV) was routinely offered. If the ECV was unsuccessful or not performed, the women were offered either planned cesarean section at 39 weeks or attempted vaginal breech delivery. To compare the likelihood of different mode of deliveries and associated long-term health outcomes for universal ultrasound to current practice, a probabilistic economic simulation model was constructed. Parameter values were obtained from the POP study, and costs were mainly obtained from the English National Health Service (NHS). One hundred seventy-nine out of 3,879 women (4.6%) were diagnosed with breech presentation at 36 weeks. For most women (96), there had been no prior suspicion of noncephalic presentation. ECV was attempted for 84 (46.9%) women and was successful in 12 (success rate: 14.3%). Overall, 19 of the 179 women delivered vaginally (10.6%), 110 delivered by elective cesarean section (ELCS) (61.5%) and 50 delivered by emergency cesarean section (EMCS) (27.9%). There were no women with undiagnosed breech presentation in labour in the entire cohort. On average, 40 scans were needed per detection of a previously undiagnosed breech presentation. The economic analysis indicated that, compared to current practice, universal late-pregnancy ultrasound would identify around 14,826 otherwise undiagnosed breech presentations across England annually. It would also reduce EMCS and vaginal breech deliveries by 0.7 and 1.0 percentage points, respectively: around 4,196 and 6,061 deliveries across England annually. Universal ultrasound would also prevent 7.89 neonatal mortalities annually. The strategy would be cost effective if foetal presentation could be assessed for £19.80 or less per woman. Limitations to this study included that foetal presentation was revealed to all women and that the health economic analysis may be altered by parity.

CONCLUSIONS

According to our estimates, universal late pregnancy ultrasound in nulliparous women (1) would virtually eliminate undiagnosed breech presentation, (2) would be expected to reduce foetal mortality in breech presentation, and (3) would be cost effective if foetal presentation could be assessed for less than £19.80 per woman.

Induction du travail après une version par manœuvres externes pour siège réussie : un sur-risque de césarienne?

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of successful external cephalic version (ECV) on the risk of caesarean section (CS) during attempted vaginal delivery after induction of labour.

METHODS

A unicentric matched retrospective observational case-control cohort study with exposed and unexposed groups. All pregnant women who had an induction of labour after a successful external cephalic version (sECV) between 1998 and 2016 were included. A total of 88 cases were compared with 176 controls (spontaneous cephalic presentation), matching for the year of delivery, parity, gestational age, indication and mode of induction of labour. The main outcome measure was the risk of caesarean. A univariate analysis and a multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed.

RESULTS

The caesarean section rate was significantly higher after sECV (22% versus 13.1%; p = 0.039) especially for postdate pregnancy (55% versus 8.2%; p <0.05). For the univariate analysis, age (31 years and 4 months versus 24 years and 6 months; p <0.01) and maximal speed of oxytocin infusion (72 ml/h versus 68 ml/h; p = 0.04) were higher in the case group. The multivariate analysis showed that the risk of caesarean section was significantly increased after an sECV (aOR 1.946; 95% CI 1.017-3.772) and after the use of prostaglandins for ripening (aOR 1.951; 95% CI 1.097-3.468), and decreased for multipara (aOR 0.208; 95% CI 0.114-0.377).

CONCLUSION

Women who have a successful ECV are at increased risk of caesarean section after subsequent induction of labour.

Intrapartum intervention rates and perinatal outcomes following successful external cephalic version

OBJECTIVE

To determine intrapartum and perinatal outcomes following successful external cephalic version for breech presentation at term.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort study of outcomes following successful external cephalic version in 411 women at an Australian tertiary maternity unit between November 2008 and March 2015. The study cohort was compared with a control group of 1236 women with cephalic presentation who underwent spontaneous labor. Intrapartum intervention rates and adverse neonatal outcomes were compared between both groups.

RESULTS

The success rate of external cephalic version (ECV) was 66.4%. The spontaneous vaginal delivery rate in the study cohort was 59.4% (224/411) vs 72.8% (900/1236) in the control cohort (P<0.001). Intrapartum intervention rates (emergency cesarean section (CS) and instrumental delivery) were higher in the ECV group (38% vs 27.2%, P<0.001). Rates of emergency CS for non-reassuring fetal status (9.5%, 39/411 vs 4.4%, 54/1236, P⩽0.001) and failure to progress (13.4%, 55/411 vs 4.1%, 51/1236, P<0.001) were higher in the study cohort. Neonatal outcomes were worse in the study cohort-Apgar score <7 at 5 min (2.2%, 9/411 vs 0.6%, 8/1236, P<0.001) and abnormal cord gases (8.5%, 35/411 vs 0.2%, 3/1236, P<0.001). Rates for resuscitation at birth and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit were higher in the study cohort (6.1% vs 4.1% and 1.9% vs 1.1%, respectively) but these were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Labor following successful ECV is more likely to result in increased intrapartum intervention rates and poorer neonatal outcomes.