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External cephalic version
An external cephalic version is turning the baby from breech presentation to the proper "head-first" presentation so that the mother may attempt a normal vaginal delivery. They are successful 50-60% of the time. External versions are performed in the hospital and the doctor will do an ultrasound first to make sure the baby hasn't turned head-first on its own. The baby is then turned after giving the mother a medication to relax the uterus. It can be uncomfortable but the patient can ask at any time to stop the procedure. Occasionally external versions are done under epidural anesthesia or even when a patient is in labor. An external version is best performed between 36 and 37 weeks when the baby is generally not as large and there is enough amniotic fluid to turn the baby. It is not performed prior to 36 weeks because of the small possibility of inducing labor or rupture of membranes.
Dr. Jeff Livingston reviewed this
24 year experience in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Related questions
A 33-year old asked:
What is external cephalic version and when is it done?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 18-year old female asked:
Is external cephalic version dangerous for baby or mom? Could it cause issues with unbiblical cord? I'm 36 weeks with a breech baby. Any advice?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old male asked:
Why is external cephalic version contraindicated in transverse lie? Why do we offer caesarean section in pregnant woman with transverse lie? Thanks.
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 40-year old asked:
What does it mean if there is cephalic presentation?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A 47-year old asked:
What are cephalic disorders--head?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 41-year old asked:
Where is the cephalic vein?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 34-year old female asked:
20 weeks pregnant baby in cephalic position is this normal?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 41-year old asked:
What does it mean when a doctor says "cephalic presentation"?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 36-year old asked:
Ultrasound report says cephalic presentation can any one help me understand?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 43-year old asked:
Can you tell me about fetus cephalic presentation and placenta anterior low lying will I deliver before my due date?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 29-year old female asked:
Can a baby turn from cephalic to breech even after her head being engaged at 36wks? Hope she doesnt turn because she was footling up until 32wks!
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 29-year old female asked:
Baby was footling breech since 24wks.Recently turned cephalic at 32wks yesterday.Is it likely she will stay that way till birth now?Wat can I do?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 33-year old female asked:
Single live intrauterine preg with 32w4d cephalic pres, with mild increase in liquor qty, placenta anterior, upper seg grd 2 mat, liquor slightly more?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 23-year old female asked:
In my ultrasound (36 weeks) i'm in cephalic presentation, possible chances of normal delivery?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old female asked:
What is the plecenta grade 2 fundo posterior and healthy, foetus seen in cephalic presentation in 28th week pregnancy pls explain is everything norm?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 23-year old female asked:
What does Cephalic presentation with a Longitudinal lie noted with placenta Anterior normal in echo pattern of grade ll maturation @32weeks scan means?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 45-year old female asked:
Diagnosed w basilic clot last wk. Went 4Doppler today due to painupper arm now it's basilic and cephalic clot Did it grow 2 other vein? Treatment?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 34-year old asked:
What to do if I'm 35 week old pregnancy normal delivery possible fetal is in cephalic presentation?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 59-year old asked about a 61-year old male:
By venoplasty of ocluded subclavian n axillary vein can fistula work bettet at patent cephalic n basilary vein how long its chances of work ?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 29-year old female asked:
20 weeks pregnant. Now my fetus is cephalic presentation.Any problem bcoz of cephalic at this early gestational age? What are the thngs I should care?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A member asked:
In a car crash at 35 weeks pregnant. Prior to, baby was cephalic, post it was breech. What is the likelyhood of the crash (from behind) being the cause?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 18-year old female asked:
My dad scanner results said prediculaire liver tissue mass extended peri pancreatic cephalic and he needs biopsy what it means is his cancer killer?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 21-year old male asked:
I have a pain and pressure in my left arm and shoulder, as well as occasional twitching and my cephalic vein seems to be inflamed.
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 18-year old female asked:
MY dad Scan results say prediculaire liver tissue mass in extended peri pancreatic cephalic and he needs to do biopsy is his pancreas cancer killer?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 50-year old female asked:
Does simultaneous swelling minus pain and redness in cephalic veins in BOTH hands mean something scary like a blood clot??
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 29-year old female asked:
36 weeks preg. Baby is normal. Cephalic.Whether a c- section or normal delivery is good for me? I had a prev myomectomy removed very small fibroids(2cm)
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 37-year old female asked:
Ultrasound result: single live intrautrerine pregnancy,presently cephalic,20weeks and 5days gestation,oligohydramnios fetal ascites..what can i do
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 29-year old female asked:
Footling breech at 30 weeks.What are chances of her changing to cephalic? I have sme minor uterine synechiae near my cervix n scarring in cervix? :(
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 60-year old female asked:
What does a small superimposed central disc herniation is also suggested with a small disc fragment extruded slightly cephalad in the midline?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 39-year old asked:
Pleural bassed nodule at posterior aspect os mid cephalad right lower lobe of lung 7 x 4 mm. Also linear atelectasis within right midlung. Age 73?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
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