External Cephalic Version
simply at our practice
Turning your baby when in breech position
Is your baby breech? This means your baby is lying with their bottom down. About 4% of all babies are in this position. If you are around 36 weeks pregnant and your baby is breech, you may be offered the option to have the baby turned. A specialized midwife can perform this, right here at our practice. She will gently turn the baby from the outside, through your belly, back into the head-down position. You can read more information about breech presentation and External Cephalic Version (ECV) on:
deverloskundige.nl and degynaecoloog.nl.
Is an external cephalic version safe?
Yes! An External Cephalic Version (ECV) is a safe method to turn the baby. Complications occur in less than 1% of cases. Possible complications include the baby’s heart rate reacting to the turning, which means the baby will need to be monitored for a longer time. Very rarely, the procedure can trigger early labour due to the pressure on your belly.
That’s why you and your baby will have check-ups before and after the turning, and the midwife will closely monitor the baby’s heart with a Doppler and ultrasound.
Chance of success
Unfortunately, an External Cephalic Version (ECV) does not always succeed. Several factors influence the chance of success. If this is your first child, the chance of a successful version is a little less than 50%. If you have already had multiple children, the chance increases to about 70%.
Other important factors:
Space in your belly
Like amniotic fluid, your build and uterine tension.
Is the baby engaged yet
If the babies but is locked into your pelvis, turning them gets a lot more difficult.
Can you relax well
a relaxed mother has a positive impact on the chance of success. Try to lay down comfortably and don’t forget your breathing exercises.
What if it doesn't work?
If the External Cephalic Version at our practice is unsuccessful, you may consider trying again on another day. Often, the second attempt is done in a hospital where you may receive medication to relax your uterus. However, a second attempt is not always recommended. This depends on the reason why the first attempt was unsuccessful.
Giving birth to a breech baby
In the case of a breech presentation where turning the baby was unsuccessful or you choose not to attempt it, the gynecologist will take over your care. You can choose a planned cesarean section or a vaginal breech birth. If you opt for a vaginal breech birth, we will refer you to OLVG, the national center of expertise for breech births in the Netherlands—they are the best equipped to support you in this situation! If you choose a planned cesarean section, you can have it done at any hospital of your choice.