Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

External Cephalic Version: Is it an Effective and Safe Procedure?
Published on: June 6, 2020
Neonatal outcomes associated with planned vaginal versus planned primary cesarean delivery
E J Geller1, J M Wu, M L Jannelli
1Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7570, USA. egeller@med.unc.edu
Objective:
To determine whether planned route of delivery leads to differences in neonatal morbidity.
Study Design:
Analysis was based on planned route of delivery, not actual route of delivery. A total of 4048 subjects were divided into two groups: planned vaginal delivery and planned cesarean delivery. Primary outcomes were neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, respiratory morbidity and neurologic morbidity.
Result:
There were 3868 planned vaginal and 180 planned cesarean deliveries. Planned vaginal delivery had decreased NICU admission (P<0.0001), oxygen resuscitation (P=0.001) and jaundice (P<0.0001) but increased meconium passage (P<0.0001) and 1 min Apgar
Conclusion:
Planned vaginal delivery led to more meconium passage and low 1 min Apgar but less NICU admissions, oxygen resuscitation and jaundice. Multicenter trials are needed to assess rare but serious outcomes based on planned route of delivery.

