Does the Advice to Assume the Knee-Chest Position at the 36th to 37th Weeks of Gestation Reduce the Incidence of Breech Presentation at Delivery?

Abstract

Breech presentation remains a hazard for the mother and her fetus. To reduce its incidence at delivery, postural techniques have been used, among which the kneechest position. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of this position on cephalic version of breech presentation. It was a prospective randomized study in a group of 102 women with viable fetuses in breech presentation at 36 to 37 weeks of gestation. The 49 women
of the intervention group assumed the knee-chest position for 15 minutes three times a day for one week. The control group had 53 cases. The study and control groups were reviewed after a week to assess the fetal presentation. The version rate was 61% and 20% in intervention and in control groups, respectively (P value = .03). This position should be advised to women with fetus in breech between 36 and 37 weeks of gestation.