Definition, management, and training in impacted fetal head at cesarean birth: a national survey of maternity professionals

Abstract Introduction This study assessed views, understanding and current practices of maternity professionals in relation to impacted fetal head at cesarean birth, with the aim of informing a standardized definition, clinical management approaches and training. Material and methods We conducted a...

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Main Authors: Katie Cornthwaite, Pauline Hewitt, Jan W. van derScheer, Imogen A. F. Brown, Jenni Burt, Eliane Dufresne, Mary Dixon‐Woods, Tim Draycott, ABC Contributor Group, Thiscovery Authorship Group, Rachna Bahl
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-09-01
Series:Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.14600
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author Katie Cornthwaite
Pauline Hewitt
Jan W. van derScheer
Imogen A. F. Brown
Jenni Burt
Eliane Dufresne
Mary Dixon‐Woods
Tim Draycott
ABC Contributor Group
Thiscovery Authorship Group
Rachna Bahl
author_facet Katie Cornthwaite
Pauline Hewitt
Jan W. van derScheer
Imogen A. F. Brown
Jenni Burt
Eliane Dufresne
Mary Dixon‐Woods
Tim Draycott
ABC Contributor Group
Thiscovery Authorship Group
Rachna Bahl
author_sort Katie Cornthwaite
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction This study assessed views, understanding and current practices of maternity professionals in relation to impacted fetal head at cesarean birth, with the aim of informing a standardized definition, clinical management approaches and training. Material and methods We conducted a survey consultation including the range of maternity professionals who attend emergency cesarean births in the UK. Thiscovery, an online research and development platform, was used to ask closed‐ended and free‐text questions. Simple descriptive analysis was undertaken for closed‐ended responses, and content analysis for categorization and counting of free‐text responses. Main outcome measures included the count and percentage of participants selecting predefined options on clinical definition, multi‐professional team approach, communication, clinical management and training. Results In total, 419 professionals took part, including 144 midwives, 216 obstetricians and 59 other clinicians (eg anesthetists). We found high levels of agreement on the components of an impacted fetal head definition (79% of obstetricians) and the need for use of a multi‐professional approach to management (95% of all participants). Over 70% of obstetricians deemed nine techniques acceptable for management of impacted fetal head, but some obstetricians also considered potentially unsafe practices appropriate. Access to professional training in management of impacted fetal head was highly variable, with over 80% of midwives reporting no training in vaginal disimpaction. Conclusions These findings demonstrate agreement on the components of a standardized definition for impacted fetal head, and a need and appetite for multi‐professional training. These findings can inform a program of work to improve care, including use of structured management algorithms and simulation‐based multi‐professional training.
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spelling doaj-art-ac631c8b92fa436d8768f81381d079b72025-08-20T03:30:53ZengWileyActa Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica0001-63491600-04122023-09-0110291219122610.1111/aogs.14600Definition, management, and training in impacted fetal head at cesarean birth: a national survey of maternity professionalsKatie Cornthwaite0Pauline Hewitt1Jan W. van derScheer2Imogen A. F. Brown3Jenni Burt4Eliane Dufresne5Mary Dixon‐Woods6Tim Draycott7ABC Contributor GroupThiscovery Authorship GroupRachna Bahl8Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists London UKRoyal College of Midwives London UKTHIS Institute (The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute), School of Clinical Medicine University of Cambridge Cambridge UKTHIS Institute (The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute), School of Clinical Medicine University of Cambridge Cambridge UKTHIS Institute (The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute), School of Clinical Medicine University of Cambridge Cambridge UKRAND Europe Cambridge UKTHIS Institute (The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute), School of Clinical Medicine University of Cambridge Cambridge UKRoyal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists London UKRoyal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists London UKAbstract Introduction This study assessed views, understanding and current practices of maternity professionals in relation to impacted fetal head at cesarean birth, with the aim of informing a standardized definition, clinical management approaches and training. Material and methods We conducted a survey consultation including the range of maternity professionals who attend emergency cesarean births in the UK. Thiscovery, an online research and development platform, was used to ask closed‐ended and free‐text questions. Simple descriptive analysis was undertaken for closed‐ended responses, and content analysis for categorization and counting of free‐text responses. Main outcome measures included the count and percentage of participants selecting predefined options on clinical definition, multi‐professional team approach, communication, clinical management and training. Results In total, 419 professionals took part, including 144 midwives, 216 obstetricians and 59 other clinicians (eg anesthetists). We found high levels of agreement on the components of an impacted fetal head definition (79% of obstetricians) and the need for use of a multi‐professional approach to management (95% of all participants). Over 70% of obstetricians deemed nine techniques acceptable for management of impacted fetal head, but some obstetricians also considered potentially unsafe practices appropriate. Access to professional training in management of impacted fetal head was highly variable, with over 80% of midwives reporting no training in vaginal disimpaction. Conclusions These findings demonstrate agreement on the components of a standardized definition for impacted fetal head, and a need and appetite for multi‐professional training. These findings can inform a program of work to improve care, including use of structured management algorithms and simulation‐based multi‐professional training.https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.14600brain injurycesarean birthdisimpactionfetal pillow®impacted fetal headmaternity
spellingShingle Katie Cornthwaite
Pauline Hewitt
Jan W. van derScheer
Imogen A. F. Brown
Jenni Burt
Eliane Dufresne
Mary Dixon‐Woods
Tim Draycott
ABC Contributor Group
Thiscovery Authorship Group
Rachna Bahl
Definition, management, and training in impacted fetal head at cesarean birth: a national survey of maternity professionals
Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
brain injury
cesarean birth
disimpaction
fetal pillow®
impacted fetal head
maternity
title Definition, management, and training in impacted fetal head at cesarean birth: a national survey of maternity professionals
title_full Definition, management, and training in impacted fetal head at cesarean birth: a national survey of maternity professionals
title_fullStr Definition, management, and training in impacted fetal head at cesarean birth: a national survey of maternity professionals
title_full_unstemmed Definition, management, and training in impacted fetal head at cesarean birth: a national survey of maternity professionals
title_short Definition, management, and training in impacted fetal head at cesarean birth: a national survey of maternity professionals
title_sort definition management and training in impacted fetal head at cesarean birth a national survey of maternity professionals
topic brain injury
cesarean birth
disimpaction
fetal pillow®
impacted fetal head
maternity
url https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.14600
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