Spanish Hospital Remains a Leader in Breech Births Amidst Declining Expertise
Approximately 4% of babies are found in a breech position – with their feet or buttocks positioned to come out of the birth canal first – just days before birth. While many hospitals globally have ceased offering vaginal breech deliveries due to a loss of skills following a key study, one Spanish hospital is actively maintaining its expertise through dedicated training.
The Maternity Miguel Servet Hospital in Zaragoza, Aragon, stands as a notable exception. It is one of the few Spanish hospitals that maintains an experienced team of professionals dedicated to assisting in these more complex vaginal births. “We have never stopped assisting them,” a representative from El Servet stated,highlighting the hospital’s commitment to providing a full range of birthing options.
The shift away from vaginal breech births began in 2000 with the publication of the Term Breech Trial – often referred to as the “Hannah study.” This research suggested that scheduled cesarean sections where the safest alternative for breech presentations. Consequently, many hospitals worldwide discontinued training and practice in vaginal breech delivery, leading to a decline in the necessary skills and experience.
However, the Miguel Servet Hospital proactively established a breech birth school to ensure this crucial capability wasn’t lost.This ongoing training program for gynecologists and obstetricians allows them to confidently manage these deliveries, offering expectant mothers more choices.
The hospital’s dedication to maintaining this expertise positions it as a key reference point for breech births in Aragon and beyond. This commitment ensures that women have access to a wider range of birthing options, supported by a highly skilled medical team.
© HERALDO DE ARAGON EDITORA,SLU. Telephone 976 765 000 / – Pº. Independencia, 29, 50001 Zaragoza – CIF: B99288763 – Registered in the Mercantile registry of Zaragoza in Volume 3796, Book 0, Folio 177, Section 8, Sheet Z-50564. Any reproduction is prohibited without written permission from the company for the purposes of article 32.1, second paragraph, of the Intellectual Property Law.
Pº independencia, 29, 50001 Zaragoza. Telephone 976 765 000.
Why is this happening?
Following the 2000 publication of the Term Breech Trial (the “Hannah study”), which indicated scheduled cesarean sections were safer for breech presentations, many hospitals globally stopped training in vaginal breech deliveries.This led to a widespread loss of expertise.
Who is involved?
the Maternity Miguel Servet Hospital in Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, is actively maintaining its expertise in vaginal breech deliveries. The hospital’s team of gynecologists and obstetricians are dedicated to assisting in these births. The study that prompted the shift was the Term Breech Trial, also known as the “Hannah study.”
What is being done?
The Miguel Servet Hospital established a “breech birth school” – an ongoing training program for its medical staff. This allows them to continue offering vaginal breech deliveries as a birthing option.
How did it end?
The trend of discontinuing vaginal breech deliveries continues at many hospitals worldwide. However, the Miguel Servet Hospital remains a key resource for women in Aragon and beyond who desire this birthing option, ensuring the skill isn’t lost and providing a wider range of choices for expectant mothers. The hospital’s proactive approach ensures continued expertise in this specialized area of obstetrics.
