When is external cephalic version recommended for breech baby?

A clinician uses firm pressure on the abdomen to encourage the baby into a head-down position. An ultrasound checks the baby’s position, fluid and placenta, while monitoring checks the baby’s heart rate before and after the attempt. The team considers the type of breech position, the womb, placenta, fluid level, pregnancy history and any reason vaginal birth may not be advised. A turn may not be attempted when these factors make it unsuitable.

Attend the assessment appointment and bring details of previous births, operations, bleeding, contractions and medical conditions. Ask where the procedure will occur, what monitoring is available, how discomfort will be managed and what birth plan applies if the baby stays breech. Do not try abdominal turning yourself.

Contact your maternity unit urgently for vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, regular painful contractions, reduced fetal movement or persistent abdominal pain after an attempted turn. Emergency assessment is needed for severe pain, heavy bleeding or feeling faint. These symptoms require review even if monitoring was reassuring earlier.

Ask whether your baby’s position and placenta make a turn suitable, what alternatives exist if the attempt is unsuccessful, and how the plan for labour or caesarean birth would change.