Maternal and neonatal outcome after vaginal breech delivery of nulliparous versus multiparous women of singletons at term-A prospective evaluation of the Frankfurt breech at term cohort (FRABAT)

Introduction: The best way to deliver a term breech infant is still a much discussed topic among obstetricians. The question whether nulliparity should be considered an exclusion criterion for an intended vaginal breech delivery is not fully answered.

Objective: We compared maternal and neonatal outcome of intended vaginal breech deliveries of nulliparous versus multiparous women at term.

Study design: We conducted a prospective case-control study between January 2004 and December 2016. 1046 women expecting singletons at term with favorable pelvic measurements were enrolled in the study.

Results: Neonatal morbidity and mortality was not significantly different in deliveries of nulliparous (n = 647) versus multiparous (n = 399) women. Nulliparous women had a significantly higher rate of a cesarean section during labor than multiparous women. Maternal birth-injury rates and the use of epidural anesthesia were significantly higher comparing vaginal births of nulliparous (n = 384) versus multiparous (n = 331) women.

Conclusion: Nulliparity seems not be an exclusion criterion for intended vaginal breech birth at term. It is still important to inform the women of an increased risk of a cesarean section during labor. A clinical management built on this evidence might reduce negative implications for future pregnancies.