Breech deliveries at Hammerfest maternity ward from 2004–2023 – a retrospective study

Background: Breech presentation occurs in 3-4 % of pregnancies at term and is associated with a higher incidence of neonatal mortality and morbidity. We aimed to examine the mode of delivery and outcomes for breech deliveries at Hammerfest Hospital's maternity ward in the period 2004-2023. Material and method: We conducted a retrospective review of the hospital's electronic birth database and paper-based birth records for women with a singleton breech presentation, delivered from gestational week 35 onwards. Results: A total of 151 out of 272 (56 %) women in labour with a singleton breech presentation were selected for a planned vaginal delivery in accordance with the national obstetric guidelines. Of these 151 planned vaginal deliveries, 94 (62 %) resulted in an emergency caesarean section. An Apgar score < 7 at 5 minutes was observed in 1 (2 %) newborn after vaginal delivery, in 5 (5 %) after emergency caesarean section and in 1 (1 %) after elective caesarean section. There were no incidences of severe neonatal morbidity or mortality. Interpretation: Twenty years of data from Hammerfest's maternity ward support the practice of selecting women for planned vaginal breech delivery. However, due to limitations in the dataset, the findings should be interpreted with caution.