Perineal ultrasound evaluation of the urethrovesical junction angle and urethral mobility in nulliparous women and women following vaginal delivery

Fetal presentation refers to that anatomical part of the fetus that presents at the maternal pelvic inlet. The most common and most desirable fetal presentation is cephalic (head first). Any presentation other than cephalic is referred to as a malpresentation. Breech is the most common fetal malpresentation. The prevalence of breech presentation varies with gestational age (25% at 28 weeks and 3-5% of at term). Ultrasound evaluation is the gold standard for the diagnosis of fetal presentation. External cephalic version (ECV) refers to a series of manual manipulations designed to convert a malpresenting fetus to cephalic to promote vaginal delivery. There are two strategies around the timing of ECV; at 36-37 weeks and/or at or shortly after 39 weeks’ gestation. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Currently, most breech pregnancies at term are delivered by cesarean at 39 weeks prior to the onset of labor. Malpresentation is the second most common indication for planned cesarean (behind elective repeat cesarean). Vaginal delivery for a breech fetus at term should only be attempted if the mother is strongly motivated, if the obstetric care provider is experienced, and if the medical center has the requisite facilities to manage any and all complications. This review contains 3 figures, 2 tables, and 66 references. Keywords: fetal presentation, malpresentation, breech presentation, ultrasound evaluation, external cephalic version (ECV), cesarean delivery, vaginal breech delivery

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Predictive Factors for Successful Vaginal Delivery after a Trial of External Cephalic Version: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 946 Women

American Journal of Perinatology ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1739505 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Asaf Bilgory ◽

Olena Minich ◽

Maria Shvaikovsky ◽

Genady Gurevich ◽

Joseph B. Lessing ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Vaginal Delivery ◽

Predictive Factors ◽

Retrospective Cohort Study ◽

Retrospective Cohort ◽

Goodness Of Fit ◽

External Cephalic Version ◽

Nulliparous Women ◽

Tertiary Center ◽

Vertex Presentation

Objective Our aim was to find the factors which predict a vertex presentation of vaginal delivery (VD) in women who are admitted for a trial of external cephalic version (ECV). Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study of women who underwent a trial of ECV and delivered between November 2011 and December 2018 in a single tertiary center. The main outcome measure was successful VD of a fetus in the vertex presentation. Women who achieved VD in the vertex presentation or underwent cesarean delivery were compared on the basis of variety of predictive factors. Adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes were reported. Logistic regression was used for the multivariate analysis. Results A total of 946 women were included; 717 (75.8%) women had a successful ECV and 663 (70.1%) women had a VD in the vertex presentation. Parous women had 79.3% VD rate (570/719) and nulliparous women had 41.0% VD rate (93/227). Women with an amniotic fluid index (AFI) of 50 to 79, 80 to 200, and >200 mm had 34.8, 71.0, and 83.1% VD rate, respectively. Parous versus nulliparous women had an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 5.42 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.90–7.52, p < 0.001), women with AFI 50 to 79 mm compared with AFI 80 to 200 mm had an aOR of 0.21 (95% CI 0.12–0.37, p < 0.001), and women with an AFI >200 mm compared with AFI 80 to 200 mm had an aOR of 1.74 (95% CI 1.03–2.92, p = 0.037) to achieve VD. The final prediction model for the chances of a VD based on data on admission for ECV was reported. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to evaluate the goodness of fit of the model (p = 0.836). Conclusion Being parous and having an AFI >200 mm are positive independent predictive factors for achieving VD of a vertex presenting fetus after ECV. Whereas AFI 50 to 79 mm is a negative independent predictive factor. Key Points

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Prediction of vaginal delivery with transperineal ultrasound in women induced with dinoprostone beyond 40 weeks of gestation

International Journal of Reproduction Contraception Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20183290 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (8) ◽

pp. 2998

Author(s):

Hale Göksever Çelik ◽

Engin Çelik ◽

Gökhan Yıldırım

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Vaginal Delivery ◽

Prospective Observational Study ◽

Transperineal Ultrasound ◽

Direct Visualization ◽

Fetal Head ◽

Nulliparous Women ◽

Multiparous Women ◽

High Possibility ◽

Angle Of Progression

Background: Digital cervical evaluation has been used to determine the likelihood of vaginal delivery which is considered by many women to be non-tolerable. Recently, transperineal ultrasound allowing direct visualization of the fetal skull has been using for the prediction of labor route. Authors aimed to study whether measurements on transperineal ultrasound are predictive for vaginal delivery in pregnant women induced with dinoprostone at 40.0-42.0 gestational weeks.Methods: A total of 55 pregnant women at 40.0-42.0 gestational weeks were enrolled in this prospective observational study. All participated women were examined before the induction with dinoprostone to measure the head-perineum distance (HPD), the head-pubis distance and the angle of progression of fetal head (AOP).Results: The greater AOP, the shorter HPD and the head-pubis distance were associated with vaginal delivery in the nulliparous women. The HPD and the head-pubis distance were shorter, whereas the AOP was greater in the multiparous women giving birth by vaginal route.Conclusions: Transperineal ultrasound can be applied at the beginning of labor to predict whether vaginal delivery will occur or not. As shown in our study, the pregnant women with shorter HPD and wider AOP might have a high possibility to achieve vaginal delivery.

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Reduction of maternal and neonatal harm through prevention of the primary Cesarean section

University of Western Ontario Medical Journal ◽

10.5206/uwomj.v85i2.2222 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 85 (2) ◽

pp. 19-21

Author(s):

Andrew Welton

Keyword(s):

Cesarean Section ◽

Vaginal Delivery ◽

Common Knowledge ◽

Multiple Pregnancy ◽

Expectant Management ◽

Breech Presentation ◽

Active Phase ◽

External Cephalic Version ◽

Second Stage ◽

Nulliparous Women

While there are clear life-saving indications for Cesarean section (C-section), rates of this procedure have seen a continued rise without a concomitant improvement in maternal or neonatal outcomes. There is some evidence that outcomes may actually be worse for low-risk C-sections versus vaginal delivery. However, this is not necessarily common knowledge for healthcare providers, and therefore, their patients. Measures to safely reduce the C-section rate target management of labour arrest and specific indications for progression to C-section. In the active phase of the first stage of labour, C-section should be considered only in cases of failure to progress after 4 hours of adequate uterine contraction, or 6 hours of inadequate contraction. In the second stage of labour, expectant management of 3 hours of pushing in nulliparous women and 2 hours in multiparous women is safe and appropriate. Furthermore, manual rotation and operative vaginal delivery in the second stage are reasonable alternatives to C-section. Expectant management is also appropriate for certain non-reassuring fetal heart rate tracings. In post-dates pregnancies, induction of labour reduces both rates of C-section and neonatal mortality. Finally, evidence supports the use of external cephalic version in breech presentation as well as a more conservative approach to suspected macrosomia and multiple pregnancy. Taken together, these measures target the most common indications for progression to C-section and can allow us to safely reduce the C-section rate. Educating patients and physicians on the risks of the procedure and reasonable alternatives can improve outcomes for mothers and neonates.

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