Dysfunctional labor after external cephalic version

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is a greater occurrence of dysfunctional labor or a higher incidence of cesarean delivery for failure to progress in women who have undergone a successful version for breech presentation.

METHODS: Using a retrospective case-control design, 76 women who had undergone a successful version from January 1988 through July 1993 were identified and their medical records reviewed. The control population was matched for delivery date, parity, and gestational age.

RESULTS: There was no difference in the cesarean delivery rates for failure to progress between women undergoing successful version (6%) and the control population (6%). The incidence of dysfunctional labor between the groups did not differ significantly. Dysfunctional labor requiring oxytocin augmentation occurred in 29.6% of women who had undergone a version and in 24.2% of the control population (P = .6530).

CONCLUSION: There is no significant increase in the cesarean delivery rate in women undergoing a version for breech presentation.