Is Indian version a successful method for decreasing the incidence of breech presentation
In a prospective randomized study involving 30 gravidae with breech presentation the efficacy of a maternal positioning exercise--raising of the pelvis, abduction of the thighs, relaxed abdominal breathing--for the purpose of spontaneous version of the fetus into vertex presentation was investigated. The results were compared with the rate of uninfluenced, spontaneous version in a further 31 gravidae with the same initial conditions. In view of the low numbers involved no statistical statements can be made; however, version in 21 out of 30 positioned subjects (70%) as opposed to 17 out of 31 spontaneous versions indicates some degree of success. Considering the risks of breech presentation during pregnancy and at birth on the one hand and the absence of risk and good acceptance of the positioning exercise on the other, the method can be recommended.
This is a commentary on a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: McCall EM, Alderice FA, Halliday HL, Jenkins JG, Vohra S. Interventions to prevent hypothermia at birth in preterm and/or low birthweight babies. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD004210. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004210.pub2. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.