Moxibustion for Cephalic Version of Breech Presentation.

Moxibustion, a form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is the burning of the herb moxa (Folium Artemisiae argyi or mugwort) over acupuncture points. It is often used in China to facilitate cephalic version of breech presentation. This article reviews the history, philosophy, therapeutic use, possible mechanisms of action, and literature pertaining to its use for this indication. For moxibustion, moxa can be rolled into stick form, placed directly on the skin, or placed on an acupuncture needle and ignited to warm acupuncture points. Studies have demonstrated that moxibustion may promote cephalic version of breech presentation and may facilitate external cephalic version. However, there is currently a paucity of research on the effects of moxibustion on cephalic version of breech presentation, and thus there is a need for further studies. Areas needing more investigation include efficacy, safety, optimal technique, and best protocol for cephalic version of breech presentation.

Cuidados de la matrona en la versión cefálica externa / Midwife care in external cephalic version

La versión cefálica externa (VCE) es una maniobra obstétrica que intenta convertir una presentación fetal podálica o transversa en cefálica, más favorable de cara al parto. La matrona, como parte del equipo multidisciplinar, está presente durante el proceso de su realización, aplicando los cuidados necesarios para una atención integral de la mujer gestante. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar el caso clínico de una mujer embarazada durante el procedimiento de VCE. Se elabora el plan de cuidados enfermeros basado en las necesidades básicas de Virginia Henderson y guiado por la taxonomía NANDA-NIC-NOC, donde se identifican tres diagnósticos de Enfermería, que serán la base de la realización de este proceso enfermero: temor, dolor agudo y riesgo de alteración de la díada materno/fetal. La aplicación de este plan de cuidados supuso una mejora en la atención a la mujer y en la organización del trabajo

External cephalic version (ECV) is an obstetric manoeuvre intended to change a breech or transversal fetal presentation into cephalic, more favourable in terms of delivery. The midwife, as a member of the multidisciplinary team, will be present during this procedure, implementing any necessary measures for a comprehensive care of the pregnant woman. The objective of this article is to present the clinical case of a pregnant woman during the ECV procedure. The nursing care plan is prepared on the basis of Virginia Henderson’s basic needs, and guided by the NANDA-NIC-NOC taxonomy, where three nursing diagnoses will be identified as the basis for conducting this nursing process: fear, acute pain and risk of alteration of the maternal/fetal dyad. The application of this healthcare plan represented an improvement in women care and work organization

Facilitators and barriers to external cephalic version for breech presentation at term among health care providers in the Netherlands: a quantitative analysis.

OBJECTIVE: guidelines recommend that external cephalic version (ECV) should be offered to all women with a fetus in breech presentation at term. However, only 50-60% of the women receive an ECV attempt. We explored the determinants (barriers and facilitators) affecting the uptake of the guidelines among gynaecologists and midwives in the Netherlands. DESIGN: national online survey. SETTING: the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: gynaecologists and midwives. MEASUREMENTS: in the online survey, we identified the determinants that positively or negatively influenced the professionals׳ adherence to three key recommendations in the guidelines: (a) counselling, (b) advising for ECV, (c) arranging an ECV. Determinants were identified in a previously performed qualitative study and were categorised into five underlying constructs; attitude towards ECV, professional obligation, outcome expectations, self-efficacy and preconditions for successful ECV. We performed a multivariate analysis to assess the importance of the different constructs for adherence to the guideline. FINDINGS: 364 professionals responded to the survey. Adherence varied: 84% counselled, 73% advised, and 82% arranged an ECV for (almost) all their clients. Although 90% of respondents considered ECV to be an effective treatment for preventing caesarean childbirths, only 30% agreed that 'every client should undergo ECV'. Self-efficacy (perceived skills) was the most important determinant influencing adherence. KEY CONCLUSIONS: self-efficacy appears to be the most significant determinant for counselling, advising and arranging an ECV. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: to improve adherence to the guidelines on ECV we must improve self-efficacy.

Moxibustion to turn the breech.

Midwives at West Middlesex NHS Trust (WMUH) have been trained in the use of moxibustion to turn a breech presentation. This paper informs the reader of this service, how it was implemented, the audit and importance of maintaining accurate data as well as the resulting changes to the service. Moxibustion appears to be a safe, easy and cost effective way to promote cephalic presentation and is offered prior to external cephalic version (ECV).

Factors affecting the success of moxibustion in the management of a breech presentation as a preliminary treatment to external cephalic version.

OBJECTIVES: to explore the effects of moxibustion treatment, to examine the predictors of its use in causing a breech presentation to spontaneously turn to a cephalic presentation which will result in a vaginal birth (the paper will refer to this as 'successful') and offer external cephalic version (ECV) subsequently after moxibustion treatment when the fetus remains in a breech presentation. DESIGN: a prospective study over a two-year time period from February 2004 until January 2006. PARTICIPANTS: 76 pregnant women from various acupuncture practices in the UK, with a third trimester breech presentation. INTERVENTIONS: the acupuncturist taught the women how to apply moxibustion (sticks of compressed dried herbs-Artemisia vulgaris) treatment at home by stimulating the acupoint on the outer edge at the base of the little toe nail for seven days twice a day (morning and afternoon). If the breech presentation persisted after treatment, ECV was carried out towards the end of the pregnancy. The obstetricians offered this during the routine antenatal hospital visits. FINDINGS: the results show that following treatment with moxibustion, 31 (40.8%) of the breech presentations spontaneously turned to cephalic presentations, and a further 33 (43.4%) breech presentations were turned by ECV. Women who involved other people in the administration of moxibustion were twice as likely to be successful. Multiparous women were also 16% more likely than primiparous women to succeed in achieving a spontaneous version with the use of moxibustion. Fewer side effects reported when using moxibustion were the strongest predictor of successful spontaneous cephalic version with an odds ratio of 12% (p = 0.02). KEY CONCLUSIONS: moxibustion creates a better chance of vaginal birth for expectant mothers. Of the women who were successful in turning their babies using moxibustion, 88% went on to have a normal birth and 12% had a caesarean section. Moxibustion treatment also significantly increases version from a breech presentation to a cephalic presentation where there are fewer side effects reported, if the woman is multiparous and has support during the administration of moxibustion treatment. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: moxibustion treatment should be offered to all women with a breech presentation because it is non-invasive and can be self-administered by the woman. It is therefore a simple, cost-effective technique that requires no medical intervention.

A retrospective study of the success, safety and effectiveness of external cephalic version without tocolysis in a specialised midwifery centre in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: to evaluate the effectiveness of external cephalic version (ECV) without tocolysis or epidural analgesia, the complications associated with the procedure and the association between the number of ECV attempts and cephalic presentation at birth and caesarean section. METHODS: retrospective cohort study of all (n=924) ECVs carried out between 1996 and 2000 in a specialised midwifery centre in the Netherlands. After bivariate analysis, those variables with a p value under 0.05 were considered statistically significant and were tested in a logistic regression model using backward stepwise selection. Analyses were carried out separately for first ECV attempts and second ECV attempts. FINDINGS: in total, 958 ECVs were analysed, 889 first attempts and 69 repeat attempts. Seventy per cent of all first ECVs were carried out before 37 weeks, but half of those were carried out between 36 and 37 weeks. The success rate for first ECV was 41% and for the second ECV 29%. Bivariate analysis showed that the success of the first ECV was positively influenced by parity, non-Dutch origin, higher birth weight, higher age and longer duration of pregnancy. After logistic regression, parity (odds ratio [OR] 2.8, 95% CI 2.1 to 3.7), non-Dutch origin (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.8) and birth weight (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4 to 2.0) remained factors that independently influenced the success of ECV. The odds ratio for duration of pregnancy at first ECV was borderline significant: OR 1.2 (1.0 to 1.4). After an unsuccessful first ECV, only 13% of the women received a second ECV. The prevalence of cephalic presentation at birth increased with 3% after a second ECV. Three cases of complications were reported during or very shortly after the first ECV, and these did not result in serious complications. No complications were reported after a second ECV. CONCLUSION: ECV without tocolysis is a safe procedure for pregnant women and their babies. Repeat ECV increases the number of cephalic presentations at birth and should be considered after an unsuccessful ECV.