Sham procedure:

In the POP-OUT Trial, a 'sham' procedure is a 'pretend' manual rotation.

A doctor or midwife on the research team performs an internal examination, exactly the same as for a manual rotation, but makes no effort to turn the baby to the occiput anterior position.

They will not tell you or the midwife or doctor caring for you if they performed a genuine or 'sham' manual rotation as this could bias the results of the trial.

The midwife or doctor looking after you will continue to provide the care you would normally receive.