What are the alternatives to external cephalic version?

A breech presentation means the baby is positioned bottom-first or feet-first rather than head-first. If turning is not attempted or does not work, your maternity team will review the baby’s position, gestational stage, placenta, fetal wellbeing and your birth history.

A planned caesarean section may be recommended when vaginal breech birth would carry unacceptable risk or when local expertise and facilities are not available. Vaginal breech birth is considered only for carefully selected pregnancies with an experienced team and immediate access to emergency care.

Ask your midwife or obstetrician why ECV was offered, why it may not be suitable and what they recommend if the baby remains breech. Discuss the timing and method of a planned caesarean, or the eligibility criteria and safety arrangements for vaginal breech birth.

Attend recommended scans and appointments so the position and wellbeing of the baby can be checked. Keep your maternity unit’s contact details available and make sure you know where to go if labour starts or your waters break.

Contact your maternity unit urgently for vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, regular painful contractions, reduced fetal movement or severe abdominal pain. With a breech baby, prompt assessment after your waters break is especially important because the cord can sometimes descend before the baby.

Why is ECV unsuitable or declined in my pregnancy? Am I a candidate for planned vaginal breech birth? What would make caesarean birth safer for me or the baby? How should I respond if labour or leaking fluid begins?