Trends in mode of breech delivery in Japan

Abstract

Many facilities in Japan currently perform elective cesarean section for term singleton breech presentation, and young doctors training in obstetrics and gynecology may not have had a chance to experience vaginal breech delivery. However, vaginal breech delivery remains an option if comprehensive informed consent is obtained. To reduce the incidence of nuchal arm, “transverse figure 8 breech delivery (TF8 maneuver)” has been widely recommended in Japan. This review discusses trends in mode of breech delivery in Japan, with a focus on the TF8 maneuver.