Route of delivery following successful external cephalic version

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the delivery route and the indications for cesarean delivery after successful external cephalic version (ECV). MethodsA retrospective matched case–control study was conducted at a hospital in Lisbon, Portugal, between 2002 and 2012. Each woman who underwent successful ECV (n=44) was compared with the previous and next women who presented for labor management and who had the same parity and a singleton vertex pregnancy at term (n=88). The outcome measures were route of delivery, indications for cesarean delivery, and incidence of nonreassuring fetal status. ResultsAttempts at ECV were successful in 62 (46%) of 134 women, and 44 women whose fetuses remained in a cephalic presentation until delivery were included in the study. The rates of intrapartum cesarean delivery and operative vaginal delivery did not differ significantly between cases and controls (intrapartum cesarean delivery, 9 [20%] vs 16 [18%], P=0.75; operative vaginal delivery, 14 [32%] vs 19 [22%], P=0.20). The indications for cesarean delivery after successful ECV did not differ; in both groups, cesarean delivery was mainly performed for labor arrest disorders (cases, 6 [67%] vs controls, 13 [81%]; P=0.63). ConclusionSuccessful ECV was not associated with increased rates of intrapartum cesarean delivery or operative vaginal delivery.