When a child is in breech position or side-lying position (transverse position), External Cephalic Version (ECV) is used to position the child into head-down position (vertex position). This procedure makes it possible to have a vaginal birth.
In this movie the professionals of the Catharina Hospitals in the Netherlands show a External Cephalic Version (ECV) on a breech position child and turn the breech position child into the head-down position. An animation about the External Cephalic Version (ECV) in breech position is part of this movie.
In this procedure hands are placed on the mother's abdomen 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.
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 ultrasound to estimate a sufficient amount of amniotic fluid and monitoring of the fetus immediately after the procedure can also help minimize risks.
Typical risks include umbilical cord entanglement, abruptio placenta, preterm labor, premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) and severe maternal discomfort.
- 12802 views
