Is maternal posturing during labor efficient in preventing persistent occiput posterior position? A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the efficacy of maternal posturing during labor on the prevention of persistent occiput posterior (OP) position. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a randomized trial including 220 patients in labor with a single fetus in documented OP position. Main outcome was the proportion of anterior rotation from OP position. RESULTS: The rates of anterior rotation were, respectively, 78.2% and 76.4% in the intervention group and the control group without significant difference (P = .748). Rates of instrumental and cesarean section deliveries were not significantly different between intervention and control groups (18.2% vs 19.1%, P = .89, and 19.1% vs 17.3%, P = .73, respectively). In intervention and control groups, persistent OP position rates were significantly higher among women who had cesarean section (71.4% and 89.5%, respectively) and an instrumental delivery (25% and 33.3%, respectively) than among women who achieved spontaneous vaginal birth (5.8% and 2.8%, respectively). In multivariable analysis, body mass index and parity were found to have significant and independent impact on the probability of fetal head rotation. CONCLUSION: Our study failed to demonstrate any maternal or neonatal benefit to a policy of maternal posturing for the management of OP position during labor.