Menu Close

What factors determine the success of external cephalic version?

What factors determine the success of external cephalic version?

Conclusion: Multiparity, flexed breech, posterior placenta, and anterior foetal back were the most favourable factors for successful ECV in our study. Moreover, with careful evaluation of individual predictors patient selection and success rates can be optimised.

Why is external cephalic version done?

An external cephalic version is a procedure used to help turn a baby in the womb before delivery. During the procedure, your healthcare provider places their hands on the outside of your belly and attempts to manually turn the baby. This procedure may be recommended if your baby is in a breech position.

What is external cephalic version in breech presentation?

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.

When can ECV be done?

If your baby is still in a breech position at 36 weeks, your doctor or midwife might suggest you consider an external cephalic version, or ECV. The aim is to turn your baby so that it is head-down when labour starts. An ECV is performed after 37 weeks of pregnancy.

How common is ECV?

This is also called an ECV, version, or “hands to belly” procedure (ACOG 2020). We compiled some statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (Table 1). There were 150,678 breech babies in the U.S. during the year 2019, or 4% of all babies. Of these, 93.8% were born by Cesarean.

How successful are EVC?

ECV is successful in turning babies to a head down position in four out of ten women in their first pregnancies and in six out of ten women who have previously had a baby. The chance of your baby returning back to the breech position is less than one in 20.

How succesful is ECV?

Women should be informed that the success rate of ECV is approximately 50%. Women should be informed that after an unsuccessful ECV attempt at 36+0 weeks of gestation or later, only a few babies presenting by the breech will spontaneously turn to cephalic presentation.

When should ECV be performed?

Can ECV break waters?

ECV is generally safe and does not cause labour to begin. The baby’s heart will be monitored before, during and after the ECV. caesarean section immediately after an ECV because of bleeding from the placenta and/or changes in the baby’s heartbeat. The membranes may rupture (waters break) during the procedure.

Is ECV better than C-section?

An external cephalic version vs. a c-section is not a cut and dry comparison. Both procedures have incredibly low complication rates and both are considered extremely safe for the mother and baby. An ECV represents a slightly increased risk to your baby, whereas a c-section represents a slightly increased risk to you.

How successful is ECV at 40 weeks?

40 attempts of ECV were performed (always after 38 weeks of gestational age), succeeding in 26 cases (65%). Vaginal delivery occurred in 20 out of the 26 successful ECV (76.9%).

Can I refuse ECV?

ECV is a medical procedure and as with all medical procedures, you can refuse it!

Does an ECV hurt the baby?

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.

Do babies flip back after ECV?

The chance of your baby turning back to breech after a successful ECV is about 2-3% (very low). How safe is an ECV? An ECV is a safe procedure if certain precautions are taken. The chance of causing a problem for your baby during an ECV is low.