Spinning babies® techniques in two Swedish tertiary birth units: A retrospective cohort study of use and birth
Sandra Wohlin Frick1, Ruth Partoft2, Kristina Mattsson3
1Dept of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ystad Hospital, Ystad, Sweden; Dept of Reproductive and Perinatal Health, Institute of Health and Caring Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
Objective:
To describe the clinical contexts of Spinning Babies® use and maternal, labour, and neonatal outcomes among women receiving these techniques as part of routine intrapartum care.
Methods:
A retrospective descriptive cohort study at two Swedish tertiary hospitals (October 2022-February 2023) including 2182 term singleton births, of which 139 involved documented use of Spinning Babies®. Data were extracted from electronic medical records and analysed descriptively.
Results:
Spinning Babies® techniques were recorded in 6.4% of births and were primarily used in induced, prolonged, or augmented labours. Higher proportions of operative births were observed in the Spinning Babies® group (emergency caesarean 17.3% vs 5.8%; instrumental vaginal birth 18.0% vs 6.3%). Documentation suggested selective use and partial implementation of core techniques.
Conclusion:
In this setting, Spinning Babies® techniques were mainly applied in clinically complex labours. Observed differences in outcomes likely reflect case mix and confounding by indication rather than causal effects. The findings should therefore be interpreted descriptively. Prospective studies in more clearly defined clinical populations are needed to evaluate implementation, indications for use, and effectiveness.
