This week the report was made public from an expert group appointed after
the publication of the Hannah et al. study, to look at the evidence on
breech birth.
In addition to a literature review, data from over 27000 term (over 2500 g)
breech births in Norway over an 18 year period (1981-98) were reviewed,
through the Medical Birth Registry.
The group conclude that, given 'normal, good care in pregnancy' it is no
more risky to plan a vaginal breech birth than to plan elective CS in
Norway. The group calls for no changes in current Norwegian policy on
breech birth. At this time about 60% of women with breech babies at or near
term are delivered by CS and the group does not recommend planning a breech
birth anywhere an emergency CS can't be done, which is in accordance with
current policy.
I just checked the website for www.sintef.no which is the body who
commissioned the report and there is nothing about it on their website yet.
I can only hope it is posted soon.
There was broad news coverage of the conclusions in the report. Don't know
what international reaction will be - mixed, I imagine.
Rachel Myr
midwife, Norway
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