External Cephalic Version at Term with Tocolysis

Abstract

The problems associated with breech presentation are of particular importance in developing countries. The risk of vaginal breech delivery may be increased because of a high prevalence of cephalopelvic disproportion. Caesarean section presents specific risks to women who may not have medical care in subsequent pregnancies and may desire large families. External cephalic version (ECV) before term has not been proved conclusively to influence the outcome of pregnancy. ECV performed at term (37 or more weeks gestation), using tocolytic agents to relax the uterus, has been shown in a technologically developed setting to reduce the incidence of breech presentation and of Caesarean section. The application of this procedure when technological facilities are limited is discussed and the technique is described.