Singleton breech at term: two continents, two approaches.
Breech presentation is a complication in 3% to 4% of singleton pregnancies at term. On the strength of a large study published in the early 2000s, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommended Caesarean section be routinely performed in such cases. However, French gynaecologists continue to perform vaginal breech deliveries. Through various observational studies, they have shown that their management approach, although different from the one used in North America, is safe. In 2006, the ACOG declared that vaginal delivery of a breech presentation may be acceptable under specific circumstances. In this analysis, we compare North American and French practices and present a protocol of care for the management of term breech presentation based on French recommendations.
Taillefer
Catherine
C
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHU Ste-Justine, University of Montréal, Montreal QC.
Dubé
Johanne
J
D001946:Breech Presentation; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009656:North America; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011247:Pregnancy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D047929:Term Birth