External cephalic version
Encyclopedia
External cephalic version is a process by which a breech baby
can sometimes be turned from buttocks or foot first to head first. It is usually performed after about 37 weeks. It is often reserved for late pregnancy because breech presentation greatly decreases with every week.
It can be contrasted with "internal cephalic version", which involves the hand inserted through the cervix.
around the baby. The baby is moved up and away from the pelvis and gently turned in several steps from breech, to a sideways position, and finally to a head first presentation.
Use of intravenous nitroglycerin has been proposed.
to estimate a sufficient amount of amniotic fluid and monitoring of the fetus immediately after the procedure can also help minimize risks.
There are a few cases in which there can be a greater risk, these include pre-eclampsia
, uterine scarring, and multiple pregnancies or fetal abnormality. Fetal death can also occur.
Breech birth
A breech birth is the birth of a baby from a breech presentation. In the breech presentation the baby enters the birth canal with the buttocks or feet first as opposed to the normal head first presentation....
can sometimes be turned from buttocks or foot first to head first. It is usually performed after about 37 weeks. It is often reserved for late pregnancy because breech presentation greatly decreases with every week.
It can be contrasted with "internal cephalic version", which involves the hand inserted through the cervix.
Process
In this procedure hands are placed on the mother's abdomenAbdomen
In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity...
around the baby. The baby is moved up and away from the pelvis and gently turned in several steps from breech, to a sideways position, and finally to a head first presentation.
Use of intravenous nitroglycerin has been proposed.
Complications and risks
As with any procedure there can be complications most of which can be greatly decreased by having an experienced professional on the birth team. An ultrasoundUltrasound
Ultrasound is cyclic sound pressure with a frequency greater than the upper limit of human hearing. Ultrasound is thus not separated from "normal" sound based on differences in physical properties, only the fact that humans cannot hear it. Although this limit varies from person to person, it is...
to estimate a sufficient amount of amniotic fluid and monitoring of the fetus immediately after the procedure can also help minimize risks.
There are a few cases in which there can be a greater risk, these include pre-eclampsia
Pre-eclampsia
Pre-eclampsia or preeclampsia is a medical condition in which hypertension arises in pregnancy in association with significant amounts of protein in the urine....
, uterine scarring, and multiple pregnancies or fetal abnormality. Fetal death can also occur.