Thank you to everyone who has been in touch to ask how you can help make sure OptiBreech research carries on. We have been incredibly moved by your support. For those of you who would like to do something to make a difference, you can let these organisations know that you feel this should be a research priority:
After many months of hard work, the OptiBreech pilot and feasibility work is finally drawing to a close at the end of January. This is the planned closing date, defined by the length of our funding for pilot and feasibility work (Shawn’s NIHR Advanced Fellowship). In fact, with the support of the Trial Steering Committee, we kept the observational arm of the study open for several months longer than originally planned, in order to monitor outcomes for sites that were continuing to offer OptiBreech care.
You can access all of our publications on this site, and we will update with the remaining few we are working on.
Thank you for all of your support! We are especially grateful to all of the women and birthing people who have participated in our study and allowed us to collect data about their births.
Unfortunately, our applications for further funding were unsuccessful. That means that we cannot at this time proceed to a substantive / full trial. Therefore, we will stop collecting data for the moment, and try again this year. We’re grateful for the women and clinicians who helped to inform our project proposals, which included:
- Implementation of Bedside Resuscitation
- A stepped wedge cluster trial of implementation of OptiBreech collaborative care
- ECV versus no-ECV for women receiving OptiBreech collaborative care
If you think, as we do, that we need to continue evaluating the outcomes of OptiBreech care to make vaginal breech birth safer and easier to access for all women, not just those privileged with resources and social support to surmount resistance to this choice — now is the time to share your views. The RCM is inviting views on Midwifery practice and maternity care in the UK. You can share what matters to you, whether this is breech or any other topic.
Most OptiBreech sites will continue to offer support for planned vaginal breech births. For those of you who have told us that you intend to try to start an OptiBreech service anyway, we will support you to the best of our ability. Below are some resources.
Information for professionals – all of our resources for professionals
Breech Clinic and Team Resources – examples of guidelines and research
Publications – Newest OptiBreech publications available here
Breech Clinic and Midwives Toolkit – further support for implementing an OptiBreech service
And Optibreech training is available from Breech Birth Network (online and in person study days) and the RCOG on 9 May.
Thank you again for all of your support. We have loved serving you.
OptiBreech 