TVS could reduce umbilical cord prolapse during breech term delivery

[Trish]

TVS could reduce umbilical cord prolapse during breech term delivery
Source: Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2007; 33: 612-18


Evaluating the efficacy of trans-vaginal ultrasonography to detect and prevent umbilical cord prolapse in term breech delivery.
MedWire News: Antepartum assessment of cord presentation by trans-vaginal ultrasonography (TVS) has the potential to prevent or reduce umbilical cord prolapse (UCP) during term breech delivery, report clinicians.
Masato Kinugasa (Amagasaki Medical Cooperative Hospital, Japan) and colleagues assessed rates of UCP in 198 women who delivered breech after 36 weeks between 1995 and 2005 (Group A)and 230 women who delivered breech at term between 1983 and 1994 (group B).
Women in group A were screened for cord presentation on a weekly basis after 26 weeks gestation using TVS.
TVS detected cord presentation at least once in the eight (4%) women in group A. Of these women, seven underwent caesarean section after 37 weeks, and cord presentation persisted at the time of surgery for six (86 percent) of these women. The remaining woman was allowed to try a vaginal delivery after TVS showed the cord to be raised above the fetal buttocks, and delivered a healthy child without UCP.
Indeed, none of the women in group A had UCP, compared with 10 (4 percent) women in group B.
The researchers conclude: "We expect this method [TVS] should contribute not only to making vaginal breech delivery safer, but also reducing the risk of UCP associated with other situations, such as preterm delivery, premature rupture of membranes, or twin pregnancy."

Now I wonder if this will become available or "allowed"for women in Australia. It certainly sounds like an option to me. But then again, we need to get someone to be willing to "allow" us to birth our breeech babies in the first place.