What happens in the

Sono-breech study?

For this study, midwives will be provided with PoCUS devices and will undergo special training on how to use them.

At a routine 36-week antenatal appointment the midwife will perform a scan to check the baby’s position using the PoCUS device, in addition to feeling (palpating) the woman’s abdomen.

These women will then have a further conventional ultrasound scan with a sonographer or doctor, so that we can compare the findings with those from the handheld ultrasound scan.

Eligibility criteria

  •         Live, singleton pregnancy

  •        35+0-36+6 weeks gestation

  •         Ability to give valid, informed consent

  •         Commitment to attend second scan within one day

Handheld PoCUS devices

GE Vscan Air

Philips Lumify

Clarius C3HD3

The devices are not being compared. Each one will be connected to an e-tablet (such as an iPad) or mobile phone by Bluetooth or a small wire.

All the devices are safe for both you and your baby.

Birth data

Information about the birth, including the type of delivery and how mother and baby are doing initially after birth, will be recorded in the same secure database. This data will be collected for up to 28 days following the birth.

Questionnaire

Around six weeks after the birth, two online questionnaires will be sent to participants via email. The questionnaires will ask some questions about the pregnancy and baby. If a participant does not have access to email, a paper questionnaire will be posted.  

Interview

Between 6-12 weeks after the birth, some women will be invited to take place in a short interview, where a member of the research team will ask some questions about how they felt about the study and the use of the handheld ultrasound devices.

We would also like to interview some women who choose not to take part in the study, to explore why they preferred not to have the scan.

Participants can decline to take part in the interview. The interview will be recorded for transcription (carried out by a member of the research team) and the recording will be deleted once this is complete.