Cephalic version by postural management for breech presentation.

BACKGROUND

It is possible that maternal posture may influence fetal position. Many postural techniques have been used to promote cephalic version.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this review was to assess the effects of postural management of breech presentation on measures of pregnancy outcome.

SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth trials register and Controlled Trials Register were searched. Date of last search: March 2000.

SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised and quasi-randomised trials comparing postural management with pelvic elevation for breech presentation, with a control group.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Eligibility and trial quality were assessed by one or both reviewers.

MAIN

RESULTS

Five studies involving a total of 392 women were included. No effect of postural management on the rate non-cephalic births was detected, either for the subgroup in which no external cephalic version was attempted, or for the group overall (relative risk 0.95, 95% confidence interval 0.81 to 1.11). No differences were detected for caesarean sections or Apgar scores below seven at one minute.

REVIEWER'S

CONCLUSIONS

There is no evidence to support the use of postural management for breech presentation. The numbers of women studied to date remain relatively small.