Spinning Babies® approach: A way to promote fetal head rotation during labor?

Introduction: Optimal fetal positioning is essential for ensuring that labor progresses efficiently and reducing the need for interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential role of the Spinning Babies^® approach to facilitate fetal head rotation.

Methods: This retrospective study was based on data collected by midwifery students, supervised by experienced midwifery tutors, using digital partograms. The fetal position was recorded at several stages of labor, particularly at the labor onset and at the delivery. For the current analysis, only women with an occiput-posterior or occiput-transverse fetal position were included. The Spinning Babies^® approach was compared with a control group. The association between anterior head rotation and the use of the Spinning Babies^® techniques was evaluated using a log-binomial model.

Results: A total of 244 partograms were identified. Of these, 60 women underwent the Spinning Babies^® approach, while the remaining 184 did not (control group). At first, in the Spinning Babies^® group, 40.0% were left occiput-posterior, 43.3% were right occiput-posterior, and 16.7% were occiput-transverse. In the control group the corresponding proportions were: 33.2%, 56.0%, and 10.9%. At the delivery, the fetal head rotated from posterior (or transverse) to anterior in 93.3% of women who underwent Spinning Babies^® techniques, compared to 63.6% of controls. The use of Spinning Babies^® techniques was associated with a 45% increased likelihood of achieving anterior position (RR=1.45; 95% CI: 1.23-1.72).

Conclusions: Optimal fetal positioning may be facilitated using Spinning Babies^® approach. To confirm these findings, further research using more standardized protocols and objective measures is needed.