Elevate a Deeply Engaged Fetal Head During Second Stage C-sections⁶

Fortunately difficult deliveries do not occur everyday, but we try to be prepared should they arise. A prolonged second stage of labor resulting in Cesarean section is becoming more prevalent, and with this comes a greater risk of maternal and fetal morbidity.^3,4,5 A Cesarean section at full dilation with a fetal head deeply impacted in the pelvis is a challenge every labor and delivery team must be equipped to address.

Fetal Pillow® is a balloon cephalic elevation device for use in Cesarean sections performed during the second stage of labor. It was created to elevate the fetal head and facilitate delivery of the fetus in women requiring a C-section at full dilation, or those requiring a C-section after a failed instrumental vaginal delivery.⁶

The use of Fetal Pillow can reduce maternal and fetal complications in a full dilation Cesarean section,¹ enable elevation of a deeply engaged head,⁷ and can decrease uterine incision extensions preventing blood loss for the mother along with higher Apgar scores and fewer NICU admissions for the baby.^1,7

How It Works

Blue, red, and purple gradient watercolor blocks

Fetal Pillow^®

Reduces Risk

The use of Fetal Pillow can reduce maternal and fetal complications in a full dilation Cesarean section.¹

Reduction in Maternal Morbidity¹

Chart of Uterine Extensions, Blood Loss, and Blood Transfusion using Fetal Pillow vs No Fetal Pillow

Reduction in Fetal Morbidity¹

Time spent at hospital in various stages while pregnant using Fetal Pillow vs No Fetal Pillow chart

Effective and Efficient

May offer financial savings through a reduction in hospital resources used; including length of stay, and reduced time in the OR.^1,7

Reduction in Hospital Resources Used¹

20 minute reduction in operating time and 1 day reduction in length of stay when using Fetal Pillow

Easy to Use

“Use of the Fetal Pillow allows a significant shift from the expected difficulty in delivering the fetal head to an actual ease of delivery”¹

97%

of physicians would recommend use of
the Fetal Pillow⁸

1. Seal, S.L. , Dey, A. , Barman, S.C. , Kamilya, G. , Mukherji, J. , Onwude, J.L. Randomized controlled trial of elevation of the fetal head with a fetal pillow during cesarean delivery at full cervical dilatation. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2016;133: 178-182.

2. Fetal Pillow – Instructions for Use

3. Seal, S.L. , Dey, A. , Barman, S.C. , Kamilya, G. , Mukherji, J. Does elevating the fetal head prior to delivery using a fetal pillow reduce maternal and fetal complications in a full dilatation caesarean section? A prospective study with historical controls. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2014;34(3): 241-244.

4. Unterscheider J, McMenamin M, Cullinane F. Rising rates of caesarean deliveries at full cervical dilatation: a concerning trend. Eur J Obstet Gynaecol Reprod Biol 2011;157(2):141–4.

5. Louden JA, GroomKM, Hinkson L, Harrington D, Patterson-Brown S. Changing trends in operative delivery performed at full dilatation over a 10-year period. J Obstet Gynaecol 2010;30(4):370–5.

6. FDA Approval Letter – July 27,2017

7. Safa, H. , Beckmann, M. Comparison of maternal and neonatal outcomes from full-dilatation cesarean deliveries using the Fetal Pillow or hand-push method. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2016;135(3):281-284.

8. Lassey, Sarah C.; Little, Sarah E.; Saadeh, Michael; Patton, Nicole; Farber, Michaela K.; Bateman, Brian T.; Robinson, Julian N. Cephalic Elevation Device for Second-Stage Cesarean Delivery: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Obstetrics & Gynecology: March 10, 2020.

Elevate a Deeply Engaged Fetal Head During Second Stage C-sections6

Fetal Pillow®