Abstract
For women with unsuccessful ECV, discussions about their mode of delivery should include
the benefits and risks of a planned caesarean or vaginal breech birth. However, most
obstetric units continue to offer only planned caesarean births when ECVs are unsuccessful
despite the proven safety of vaginal breech births in selected patients. Such unit
policies can be at variance with a woman's desire and preference for vaginal birth.
Thus, a conflict situation arises that could have varying medical, emotional and cultural
implications.
Aim
To provide a consumer perspective on ECV from women who had an unsuccessful procedure.
Methodology
A qualitative study involving focus group discussions with women who had unsuccessful
ECV at secondary obstetric facility in Melbourne, Australia.
Results
Emergent themes from the focus group discussions were related to emotions associated
with the inevitability of a caesarean section for breech, consequences of an unsuccessful
ECV and the various activities undertaken by women to induce spontaneous version.
Conclusion
A medicalized approach to ECV fell short of women's expectations of care. There is
a need to develop strategies that will help women deal with any conflicts occasioned
by an unsuccessful ECV.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 12, 2012
Accepted:
September 11,
2012
Received in revised form:
August 30,
2012
Received:
June 21,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc.
