Breech presentation and twin pregnancy are regarded as stressful situations for medical staff. This stress is often associated with an increased likelihood of intervention during labor – especially when the on-shift obstetrician lacks experience.

We performed a 2-year prospective, observational study of cesarean section (CSDs) and assisted vaginal (AVDs) deliveries in a tertiary maternity unit for attempted vaginal deliveries of breech presentations and twin pregnancies. The obstetric management decisions taken by a group of four registrars were compared with those taken by a group of 11 experienced obstetricians. Changes over time in practice were also monitored.

Registrars managed 66 and 52 breech presentations and twin pregnancies respectively (30 and 27 in the experienced group). Groups’ neonatal outcomes were similar. There were no intergroup differences in proportions of CSDs for either breech presentations (25 [37.5%] vs. 15 [50%] in the registrar and experienced groups, respectively; P=0.26) or twin pregnancies (11 [21.1%] vs. 6 [22.2%], respectively; P=0.91) or in proportion of AVDs for twin pregnancies (41 [78.8%] vs. 21 [77.8%], respectively; P=0.91). Proportions of CSDs for breech presentation and AVDs for twin pregnancies did not change over time in either group. However, proportion of CSDs for twin pregnancies increased over time in the registrar group (P=0.004).

Well-trained registrars appeared to have acquired the skills required to safely manage an obstetric ward; this pleads to maintain clinical practice during residency to preserve low CSD and AVD rates.