Maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with breech presentation in planned community (home and birth center) births in the United States: A prospective observational cohort study

Abstract

Objective Investigate maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with breech presentation in planned community births in the United States, including outcomes associated with types of breech presentation (i.e., frank, complete, footling/kneeling) Design Secondary analysis of prospective cohort data from a national perinatal data registry (MANA Stats) Setting Planned community birth (homes and birth centers), United States Sample Individuals with a term, singleton gestation (N = 71,943) planning community birth at labor onset Methods Descriptive statistics to calculate associations between types of breech presentation and maternal and neonatal outcomes Main outcome measures Maternal: intrapartum/postpartum transfer, hospitalization, cesarean, hemorrhage, severe perineal laceration, duration of labor stages and membrane rupture Neonatal: transfer, hospitalization, NICU admission, congenital anomalies, umbilical cord prolapse, birth injury, intrapartum/neonatal death Results One percent (n = 695) of individuals experienced breech birth (n = 401, 57.6% vaginally). Most fetuses presented frank breech (57%), with 19% complete, 18% footling/kneeling, and 5% unknown type of breech presentation. Among all breech labors, there were high rates of intrapartum transfer and cesarean birth compared to cephalic presentation (OR 9.0, 95% CI 7.7–10.4 and OR 18.6, 95% CI 15.9–21.7, respectively), with no substantive difference based on parity, planned site of birth, or level of care integration into the health system. For all types of breech presentations, there was increased risk for nearly all assessed neonatal outcomes including hospital transfer, NICU admission, birth injury, and umbilical cord prolapse. Breech presentation was also associated with increased risk of intrapartum/neonatal death (OR 8.5, 95% CI 4.4–16.3), even after congenital anomalies were excluded. Conclusions All types of breech presentations in community birth settings are associated with increased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. These research findings contribute to informed decision-making and reinforce the need for breech training and research and an increase in accessible, high-quality care for planned vaginal breech birth in US hospitals.