Normal Pregnancy, Caesarean Section and Breech Presentation

Essential Obstetrics and Gynaecology: Pre-course work
Normal Pregnancy, Caesarean Section and Breech Presentation
Test yourself
During recent exams, students were asked the following questions about normal pregnancy and c-
section. Test your existing knowledge by answering as many of the questions as you can and then
check your responses against the answers (p3-4).
Next read the material on breech presentation (p4-5) and answer the questions (p6-7).
This should take about an hour to complete: you’ll get much more out of the course if you
do this before attending.
1) What ways are there to determine gestational age?
2) What bloods tests are performed at booking?
3) What are the options for screening women for Down’s syndrome?
4) What are the indications for amniocentesis and at what gestation is it performed?
5) When are ultrasound scans performed during a normal pregnancy and what is their
purpose?
6) What are the implications of discovering group B streptococcus on a vaginal swab?
 Ask Doctor Clarke www.askdoctorclarke.com 1

7) What are the pros and cons of home delivery?
8) What are the options for analgesia during labour?
9) What are the indications for an elective c-section?
10) What are the pros and cons of elective c-section?
11) What are the delivery options for a woman who had an emergency c-section during her last
pregnancy?
12) What are the options for delivery in a 28 year old primagravida who has a persisting breech
in late pregnancy?

Answers to the questions
1) What ways are there to determine gestational age?

Last Menstrual Period
Naegele’s rule – to LMP add 1 year subtract 3 months and add 1 week
(LMP and Naegele’s rule valid for a 28 day cycle only)
Dating scan – crown rump length measured at 7-12 weeks (most reliable method)
2) What bloods tests are performed at booking?
Full Blood Count
Blood Group and Antibody Screen
HIV / Hepatitis B / Syphilis serology
Haemoglobin electrophoresis if at risk of sickle cell / thalassaemia
Please also note the importance of checking

• BP (for pre-existing hypertension)
• BMI as risk factor for gestational diabetes and
• Urine for microscopy and culture as UTI common and sometimes asymptomatic
3) What are the options for screening women for Down’s syndrome?
Combined test – (Nuchal fold thickness + serum ßHCG and PAPP-A) at 11-14 weeks (most
accurate)
Quadruple test - serum screening (ßHCG, AFP, unconjugated estriol and inhibin A) for
those who book later; usually performed at 16 weeks
4) What are the indications for amniocentesis and at what gestation is it performed?
High risk chromosomal abnormality (e.g. >1:100 risk at screening), or family history of
known single gene defect. Performed from 15 weeks
5) When are ultrasound scans performed during a normal pregnancy and what is their purpose?
7-12 weeks – Dating scan (includes nuchal scan which forms part of combined test for
Down syndrome screening).
≈20 weeks – Anomaly scan – detailed look at fetal anatomy
6) What are the implications of discovering group B streptococcus on a vaginal swab?

This is a vaginal commensal and therefore unlikely to cause maternal infection so no
immediate treatment given. Risk of transmission to fetus at birth and infection (pneumonia /
meningitis) – carries high morbidity / mortality therefore antibiotic (Benzylpenicillin)
prophylaxis at delivery recommended and neonatal observation postnatally.
7) What are the pros and cons of home delivery?

Home delivery- Pros – Relaxing environment
More comfortable
No transport concerns
1:1 care guaranteed
Medical intervention less likely
Cons – Long transfer time into hospital in case of maternal
/ Neonatal emergency
Fewer options re. analgesia
Expert medical care less readily available
8) What are the options for analgesia during labour?

Bath / Water, TENs, Nitrous oxide (“Entonox” “Gas and Air”), Pethidine, Epidural

9) What are the indications for an elective c-section?

Breech
Twins (Especially if 1st twin is breech)
Placenta praevia
Transverse / oblique lie
Previous c-section – controversial – only routinely recommended if ≥2 previous CS
10) What are the pros and cons of elective c-section?

Pros-
Timing of delivery known
Reduced rates of perineal pain after delivery
Reduced rates of uterovaginal prolapse and urinary incontinence later
Cons-
Increased risk of visceral injury
Increased risk bleeding and need for transfusion
Increased risk of requiring hysterectomy
Increased risk of Transient Tachopnoea of Newborn (TTN)
Increased abdominal pain post delivery
Increased risk of post-op venous thromboembolism
Longer hospital stay
Subsequent surgery more likely – e.g. repeat CS, surgery for adhesions
Risks in subsequent pregnancies – placenta praevia, scar dehiscence
11) What are the delivery options for a woman who had an emergency c-section during her last
pregnancy?
Vaginal Birth After Caesarean Section (VBAC) – risk of scar dehiscence approx 1:200 or
Elective Caesarean section
12) What are the options for delivery in a 28 year old primagravida who has a persisting breech in
late pregnancy? Planned vaginal delivery, external cephalic version, elective c-section at 39 weeks
Please read the notes on breech presentation which follow.
Notes and Questions on Breech Presentation
Breech presentation
• Affects 3% of pregnancies at term
• More common pre-term:
– 40% at 20 weeks
– 20% at 28 weeks
– 6% at 34 weeks
• Risk factors
– Preterm
– Uterine abnormality (fibroid, septum)
– Fetal abnormality
– Twins
– Low lying placenta
– Poly- / Oligohydramnios – Excessive / reduced amniotic fluid
i.e. Anything which prevents head engaging in pelvis

Breech presentation: 3 types
Flexed Footling Extended

Greatest risk of cord Most common
Prolapse
(feet don’t plug cervix as well – space for cord to come down)
Problems with vaginal breech delivery

Risks:
• Cord prolapse
• Difficulty delivering the head (largest part of the fetus delivering last)
• Fetal hypoxia (due to head entrapment)
• Staff now not as experienced in vaginal breech deliveries
Results in:
• Increased perinatal morbidity and mortality in infants born by vaginal breech at term (‘term
breech trial’)
Delivery options for breech presentation at term

• Elective Caesarean section
• External Cephalic Version (ECV)
• Vaginal breech delivery
Elective Caesarean section
• Usually performed at 39 weeks:
– Before 39 weeks infants born by Caesarean section are at increased risk of Transient
Tachypnoea of the Newborn (TTN)
– Beyond 39 weeks increased risk of labour and therefore emergency Caesarean section
• Benefits:
– Reduced perinatal morbidity / mortality
• Risks:
– Increased maternal morbidity / mortality
– Longer recovery time
– Impact on subsequent pregnancies
External Cephalic Version

• Abdomen manipulated to turn fetus presentation
• Uterine relaxants often given prior to procedure
• Fetal heart monitored with CTG pre- and post procedure
• Can be uncomfortable
• Benefits: may prevent C-section or vaginal breech delivery and their associated risks
• Risks: fetal distress (cord entanglement / retro-placental clot) often transient (emergency
Caesarean section rate 1:200)
• Success rates: 40% nulliparous; 60% multip

Contraindications
• Under 37 weeks gestation
• Previous c-section
• Placenta praevia
• Fetal or uterine abnormality
• Multiple pregnancy
• Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding in previous week (risk of abruption)
Vaginal Breech Delivery

• High risk delivery - facilities for CS must be available
• Fetal heart should be continuously monitored
• Low threshold for Caesarean section in the event of fetal distress / delayed progress
• More likely to be successful in multiparous women
Test yourself: single best answer

Select the single most appropriate action…..
a) Vaginal Breech Delivery

b) Caesarean section
c) External Cephalic Version
…in the following scenarios
Scenario 1
A 32 year old multiparous woman presents with previously undiagnosed breech presentation at
38 weeks. Her previous pregnancy resulted in a Caesarean section. She has had no
complications in this pregnancy and is keen to avoid a Caesarean section and have an ECV
Scenario 2
A 34 year old G2P1 had a spontaneous vaginal delivery in her previous pregnancy and is now
expecting twins. She has had an otherwise uneventful pregnancy so far. A growth scan at 37
weeks reveals that the first twin is cephalic presentation and the second twin breech. She is
keen to have a vaginal delivery.
Scenario 3
A 24 year old primiparous woman is expecting twins. At 37 weeks both are presenting breech.
She has had an otherwise uneventful pregnancy.
Scenario 4
A 27 year old multip has had one previous vaginal delivery. She is currently 37 weeks pregnant
and has a fetus which is unexpectedly found to be presenting breech. She has had an otherwise
uneventful pregnancy. She insists on a Caesarean section.
Answers are on the next page.

Scenario 1 - Answer
Vaginal breech delivery and ECV are relatively contraindicated in women who have had previous
Caesarean sections.
Scenario 2 - Answer
a) Vaginal Breech Delivery
In the situation of the 2nd twin presenting breech, a vaginal delivery is considered safer than in a
singleton pregnancy as 1 twin has already passed through the birth canal, there is therefore not
so much concern regarding delivery of the second baby’s head. This woman is also multiparous
which would increase the chances of a successful vaginal delivery.
Scenario 3 - Answer
A vaginal delivery is contraindicated when the first twin is breech because of the possibility of
‘interlocking’ of the twins. ECV is contraindicated in multiple pregnancy. Caesarean section is
therefore the safest option in this situation.
Scenario 4 - Answer
This woman should be counselled regarding the three options. She would certainly be a good
candidate for an ECV. However if following a thorough discussion of the risks and benefits of
each option she still requests a Caesarean section her request should be granted.
Finally, here is a data interpretation question:
Comment on this partogram

08.00 12.00 16.00
What are the possible causes?
What are the treatment options?

Answer
Comment on this partogram

The partogram shows “failure to progress” in the first stage of labour as there is less than 2cm
dilation in 4 hours. In a primiparous woman, you would expect a minimum of 2cm dilation of the
cervix in that time.
Causes: think “power, passenger and passage”

Power: primary labour dystocia or “inefficient uterine action” is the commonest cause, particularly in
a nulliparous woman (uncommon in a multiparous woman)
Malpresentation (eg OP or brow presentation), fetal macrosomia
Cephalopelvic disproportion (uncommon)
Treatment options
Augmentation (NB Probably doesn’t affect the C-section rate)
C-section
Stages of Labour
Stage of Definition Normal duration in Normal duration in

labour primiparous women multiparous women
First From onset of regular painful contractions to
full dilatation:
Latent phase: up to 4cm dilation Often long Often short
Active phase: from 4cm to 10cm (fully dilated) 0.5-1cm per hour 1-2cm per hour
Average 8 hours Average 5 hours
Second From full dilatation to delivery of infant 1-2 hours Up to 3 hours

Up to 4 hours with
epidural
Third From delivery of infant to delivery of placenta Up to 30 minutes Up to 30 minutes

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Essential Obstetrics and Gynaecology: Pre-course work

Normal Pregnancy, Caesarean Section and Breech Presentation

1) What ways are there to determine gestational age?

2) What bloods tests are performed at booking?

6) What are the implications of discovering group B streptococcus on a vaginal swab?

 Ask Doctor Clarke www.askdoctorclarke.com 1

7) What are the pros and cons of home delivery?

8) What are the options for analgesia during labour?

9) What are the indications for an elective c-section?

10) What are the pros and cons of elective c-section?

 Ask Doctor Clarke www.askdoctorclarke.com 2

Answers to the questions

1) What ways are there to determine gestational age?

Please also note the importance of checking

6) What are the implications of discovering group B streptococcus on a vaginal swab?

7) What are the pros and cons of home delivery?

8) What are the options for analgesia during labour?

 Ask Doctor Clarke www.askdoctorclarke.com 3

9) What are the indications for an elective c-section?

10) What are the pros and cons of elective c-section?

Please read the notes on breech presentation which follow.

Notes and Questions on Breech Presentation

i.e. Anything which prevents head engaging in pelvis

 Ask Doctor Clarke www.askdoctorclarke.com 4

Breech presentation: 3 types

Flexed Footling Extended

Problems with vaginal breech delivery

Delivery options for breech presentation at term

External Cephalic Version

 Ask Doctor Clarke www.askdoctorclarke.com 5

Vaginal Breech Delivery

Test yourself: single best answer

a) Vaginal Breech Delivery

…in the following scenarios

Answers are on the next page.

 Ask Doctor Clarke www.askdoctorclarke.com 6

Finally, here is a data interpretation question:

Comment on this partogram

What are the possible causes?

What are the treatment options?

 Ask Doctor Clarke www.askdoctorclarke.com 7

Comment on this partogram

Causes: think “power, passenger and passage”

Stage of Definition Normal duration in Normal duration in

Latent phase: up to 4cm dilation Often long Often short

Second From full dilatation to delivery of infant 1-2 hours Up to 3 hours

 Ask Doctor Clarke www.askdoctorclarke.com 8

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