What should you know about external cephalic version ECV?

A breech position means the baby’s bottom or feet are closer to the birth canal than the head. During ECV, a trained obstetric clinician places their hands on your abdomen and applies steady pressure to guide the baby into a head-down position. An ultrasound may be used to check position and the placenta, while the baby’s heart rate is monitored. ECV is offered only when the clinical team considers it suitable for your pregnancy; the timing depends on gestation, your history, and local maternity practice.

Ask your maternity team why ECV is being offered, where it will happen, what preparation is needed, and how discomfort will be managed. Discuss your preferences if the baby turns, turns back, or stays breech. You may also want to understand how the result would change your birth plan and when Caesarean Section might be considered. Bring a list of medicines and mention prior uterine surgery or pregnancy complications.

After ECV, contact your maternity unit urgently for vaginal bleeding, fluid leakage, painful regular contractions, severe abdominal pain, or reduced fetal movement. These symptoms need assessment whether or not the baby was successfully turned. Before the procedure, report any new bleeding, pain, or fluid loss to the team rather than waiting for the appointment.

Ask whether your baby’s position and your pregnancy history make ECV suitable, what monitoring is provided, what happens if it does not work, and how you will know which birth options remain available.