2,281 posters, 63 videos, 56 audios, 43 topics, 18 sessions, 6,174 authors, 2,323 institutions

RCOG World Congress 2025

June 23 - 25, 2025 | ExCeL London, UK

EP.1204

BEAD Feasibility Study: Baby head ElevAtion Device at Full Dilatation Caesarean Section

View Poster Contact Presenter

Poster Presenter

Jordon Wimsett

Authors

Jordon Wimsett, Charlotte Oyston, Meghan Hill, Erena Browne, Jane Alsweiler, Robin Cronin, John Thompson, Matthew Drake, Karaponi Okesene-Gafa, Lynn Sadler

Affiliations

Te Toka Tumai Auckland Hospital, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Auckland, Te Whatu Ora Waikato Hospital, Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau, Middlemore Hospital

Part of Topic

Hot topics (emerging research/issues) in obstetrics

BEAD Feasibility Study: Baby head ElevAtion Device at Full Dilatation Caesarean Section

Jordon Wimsett1,2, Charlotte Oyston2,3, Meghan Hill2,3,Robin Cronin2,3, Erena Browne4, Jane Alwseiler1,5, John Thompson5, Karaponi Okesene-Gafa3,6, Matthew Drake1, Lynn Sadler1

1Te Toka Tumai Auckland Hospital, Health New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand; 2Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; 3Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau, Health New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand; 4Te Whatu Ora Waikato, Health New Zealand, Hamilton, New Zealand; 5Dept of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand 6Pacific Health, University of Auckland

Objectives

1.To assess the feasibility of undertaking an industry-independent, randomised trial of the impact of inflated versus non-inflated Fetal Pillow® on uterine incision extensions.

2.To gain feedback on abbreviated consent and trial processes from patients and clinicians.

Design

Double-blinded, randomised placebo-controlled feasibility study at two New Zealand hospitals.

Qualitative studies within the trial were used to understand patient and clinician experience.

Method

Mixed method survey with patients and semi-structured interviews with clinicians.

RCT process:

- Approached in labour if age ≥16 years, singleton, cephalic, live, term (≥37 weeks’) pregnancy, confirmed 10cm cervical dilatation, requiring CS

- Abbreviated consent to be randomised to BEAD Study

- Randomised to inflation or non-inflation of Fetal Pillow® at time of CS at full dilatation

- Full postpartum consent +/- survey

Key findings

Feasibility

- 60 patients recruited in second six months, exceeding progression criteria

- Randomisation was equitable by ethnicity

Patient feedback

- Most of those consenting (111/129, 86%) and declining the RCT (38/57, 67%) consented to postpartum survey

- Patients were supportive of the consenting approach although 33% of consenting, and 69% of declining, participants would have preferred more information pre-labour

Clinician feedback

Enablers to trial participation:

- 24/7 availability of research team

- Usefulness of study-specific resources such as script for intrapartum consent

Barriers:

- Lack of equipoise among some current device users

- Competing clinical demands

Clinicians were supportive of the 2-stage consent process (abbreviated intrapartum consent and full post-partum consent).

Conclusion

- Recruitment for a larger trial (n=400) is feasible in this context.

- Abbreviated consent at decision for emergency CS is acceptable to patients and clinicians but providing information prior to labour may support broader patient participation.