Breeching the system: Expectations and experiences surrounding a planned vaginal breech birth

This is a qualitative study being undertaken in collaboration with the Royal Hospital for Women, NSW.

The first aim is to explore experiences of women who have a breech presentation late in pregnancy and decide to have a vaginal breech birth. In particular, the researchers are interested in their decision-making processes regarding the mode of birth, and their labour and birth regardless of whether it was vaginal breech or caesarean section.

The second aim is to explore the experience of clinicians who have counselled and attended women who plan a vaginal breech birth. Funding was through an Australian College of Midwives (NSW Branch) Research Scholarship. A paper on women's experiences of vaginal breech birth has been published.

 UTS staff and students involved: Caroline Homer, Andrew Bisits, Nicole Watts, Karol Petrovska, Christine Catling and Chauncey Sjostedt.

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.