Research studies performed by our team which are relevent to the POP-OUT Trial include:
(1) The OP study: in this study we found that 68% of women whose baby was in the occiput posterior (OP) position when they were fully dilated in labour had an operative delivery. We showed that if there was a way to reduce the chances of an operative delivery that this could have an impact on a large number of women.
(2) A survey of obstetricians in Australia and New Zealand: 97% of obstetricians think that manual rotation is an acceptable procedure if the cervix is fully dilated. Most did not perform it routinely but they would if it was proven to be effective in a randomised trial.
(Phipps H, de Vries BS, Lee PN, Hyett JA. ANZJOG. 2012 Oct;52(5):450-4)
(3) A pilot study of the POP-OUT Trial: in this study we enrolled 30 women in labour whose babies were in the occiput posterior position. 15 women had a manual rotation and 15 had a 'sham' rotation. The women accepted the idea of randomisation and were comfortable with the idea that they may have had a sham procedure.
(Graham K, Phipps H, Hyett J, Ludlow J, Mackie A, Marren A, de Vries BS. ANZJOG 2014; 54(3): 268-74)
(4) A survey of members of the Australian College of Midwives: 77% of midwives think that manual rotation is an acceptable procedure if the cervix is fully dilated. Most did not perform it routinely but they would if it was proven to be effective in a randomised trial.
(Phipps H, de Vries BS, Jagadish U, Hyett J. Birth: 41(1): 65-9, 2014)
(5) The OT Study: we found that 49% of women whose baby was in the occiput transverse (OT) position when they were fully dilated in labour had an operative delivery. We showed that if there was a way to reduce the chances of an operative delivery that this could have an impact on a large number of women.
(6) Women were more likely to to participate in the POP-OUT pilot study if they were asked during very early stages of labour. For the POP-OUT Trial we may ask women to participate if they are in very early labour or in full labour and have an epidural which is working well. Participation is completely voluntary and it is okay for women to change their mind about participating at any time.
(Phipps H, de Vries BS, Kuah S, Hyett JA. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 92(11): 1264-70)