What is the success rate of external cephalic version?

External cephalic version is a procedure that externally rotates the fetus from a breech presentation to a vertex presentation. External version has made a resurgence in the past 15 years because of a strong safety record and a success rate of about 65 percent.

Is an external cephalic version safe?

ECVs are usually safe, but there are some risks. In rare cases, it can cause changes in your baby’s heart rate, tearing of the placenta, and preterm labor. The procedure is usually done near a delivery room in case you need an emergency C-section.

Why is external cephalic version done?

External cephalic version (ECV) is an attempt to turn the fetus so that he or she is head down. ECV can improve your chance of having a vaginal birth. If the fetus is breech and your pregnancy is greater than 36 weeks your health care professional may suggest ECV.

How external cephalic version is done?

External cephalic version is performed strategically placing the hands on the gravid abdomen and applying pressure to encourage the fetus to move into the vertex position. This can be attempted for fetuses in the breech, transverse, or oblique positions and has the potential to decrease cesarean delivery rates.

How painful is a version?

Hence, a moderate amount of pain is felt during the procedure, which is tolerated by most women. To make you comfortable and minimize the pain, the doctor may give pain medication or epidural (into your spine) anesthesia. Uterine muscle relaxants may also be given to keep the discomfort at its minimal level.

How do I prepare for ECV?

Eat a normal breakfast before 8am. You can drink water between the initial scan and your ECV in the afternoon. Please bring lunch to eat once the ECV procedure is complete and we have monitored your baby. This is a precaution in case you need an emergency caesarean section.

Can ECV induce labor?

About one in 200 babies need to be delivered by emergency caesarean section immediately after an ECV as a result of these complications. ECV does not usually cause labour to begin.

How is a version performed?

Version procedure With both hands on the surface of your abdomen—one by the fetus’s head and the other by the buttocks—the doctor pushes and rolls the fetus to a head-down position. You will feel discomfort during a version procedure, especially if it causes the uterus to contract.

Should I have ECV or C section?

It’s recommended that an external cephalic version be offered to all women who have a baby in breech position at or close to term, where there are no other complications. The procedure has been shown to be successful in around half of all cases and may lower the likelihood that a C-section will be needed.

How long after ECV did you go into labor?

Out of the 67 cases of successful ECV, five (7.46%) fetuses reverted back to either breech presentation or transverse. All of them presented in labour, between 9 and 24 days after ECV, and had emergency caesarean delivery.

When do you get an external cephalic version?

FIGURE 1. Algorithm for external cephalic version. In general, candidates for external version should be low-risk patients at 37 weeks of gestation or more, by good dating criteria. The type of breech (either frank, complete or footling) is not a factor in determining suitability.

Is there an external cephalic version of breech presentation?

External cephalic version is a procedure that externally rotates the fetus from a breech presentation to a vertex presentation. External version has made a resurgence in the past 15 years because of a strong safety record and a success rate of about 65 percent.

Can a external cephalic version be used for VBAC?

External version has been used successfully in VBAC candidates without any incidence of uterine rupture. 15 In a small study, 16 version was successfully performed on women presenting in labor with a transverse lie and intact membranes, reducing the cesarean section rate by 50 percent.

What’s the difference between a bipolar and a cephalic fetus?

bipolar version turning done by acting upon both poles of the fetus by either external or combined version. cephalic version turning of the fetus so that the head is the presenting part. combined version external and internal versions together. external version that done using outside manipulation.