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First Breech Collective Conference a Resounding Success

Tuesday, 09 July 2024

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  • The Breech Collective Conference

    Picture from left: Professor Sara Bayes, Dr Di Bloxsome, Melanie Johnson, Jata Elliot, Melanie Welfare, Dr Sara Morris and Krystyl Wissemann.

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The first Breech Collective conference was held at Edith Cowan University (ECU) Joondalup on 7th July 2024. This sold-out event brought together breech experts from around the world and those with lived experiences in order to share their wealth of knowledge regarding breech care and birth.

The conference was hosted by ECU’s Dr Sara Morris, who’s research has recommended specialised, midwifery-led, multidisciplinary based care for women experiencing a breech presentation in late pregnancy.

Dr Morris opened the conference by stating it was “…about bringing people together to share and gain knowledge. On a local level it’s about starting a long overdue conversation about how we do things. On a larger scale, it’s about keeping the momentum for change going…For the clinicians in the room or watching online, regardless of how you feel about it, the reality is that vaginal breech birth cannot be avoided at all times. For women to feel as though they have true choice and to reduce the risk of the poor outcomes that many are so afraid of, it is imperative that we have the knowledge and skills to identify and alleviate complications that may arise regardless of the circumstances - safely and competently.”

Celebrating his 94th birthday on the same day, keynote speaker Dr. Michel Odent urged care providers to reflect on the long-term health impacts of pre-labor caesarean sections on women and babies. He stressed the need for informed decision-making and the role of non-fearful care providers, particularly in breech births.

Distinguished speakers included Canadian Traditional Midwife Betty-Anne Daviss, Obstetrician Dr. Andrew Bisits, researcher Dr. Rixa Freeze, and Medicine Sans Frontiers Midwife Kristine Lauria. They collectively underscored the importance of a calm, supportive birthing environment and collaborative, evidence-based care practices.

Key takeaways emphasized the significance of reducing fear and stress during labor, advocating for respectful, woman-centered care. The conference highlighted the pivotal role of midwives in leading breech care, promoting autonomy and well-being for mothers.

Fear emerged as a primary factor contributing to labor complications in breech births. The conference emphasized education and communication as essential tools to alleviate fear and enhance maternal well-being.

Dr Morris suggested a way of reducing fear is “…to stop seeing vaginal breech birth as an emergency, it’s not, but rather acknowledge that current birth practices and lack of clinician knowledge, experience and skill are a major risk factor in relation to its safety. Once we acknowledge this we can move forward and start making the changes that are needed. The responsibility lies with us as individuals, as health services and as educators to gain and share this knowledge”.

Ultimately, the Breech Collective Conference aimed to promote respectful, woman-centered care during childbirth. By advocating for evidence-based practices, fostering collaborative relationships, and empowering clinicians, particularly midwives to take the lead in breech care, the conference challenges stakeholders to prioritize informed decision-making, supportive environments, and respectful, woman-centered practices.

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