The verdict is in........here is what we're doing next Thursday

So we had our appointment today and found out that with a breech baby our options are to a)schedule a c-section or to b) go in for this lovely "version" procedure. I love this blog because I can get this all out to everyone to let you know what's going on. Next Thursday we go in to the hospital at 5:15 to see if it works. Prayers will be good at this point that he turns on his own and everything will go "all natural".........we can hope right? :) I listed the procedure because maybe there is someone who has never heard of it and may be faced with this someday not knowing what will happen, here you go.



What is external cephalic version?
External cephalic version is a way to try to turn a baby from breech position to vertex (head-down) position while it's still in the mother's uterus. In other words, external cephalic version means turning the baby from outside of the abdomen so that it's in the head-down position. Your doctor will use his or her hands on the outside of your abdomen to try to turn the baby (see the pictures below).


Picture 1. Beginning the forward roll. The doctor places his or her hands on the abdomen, moving the baby up out of the pelvic bones.


Picture 2. The baby is turned either forward or backward ...



Picture 3. ... until the baby is in the vertex (head-down) position.


When is external cephalic version done?
External cephalic version is done at the end of pregnancy, after about 37 weeks of gestation.

Who can have external cephalic version?

Many women who have normal pregnancies may have external cephalic version. Women who cannot have it are women who have one of the following:
Vaginal bleeding
A placenta that is near or covering the opening of the uterus
A nonreactive nonstress test
An abnormally small baby
A low level of fluid in the sac that surrounds and protects the baby
An abnormal fetal heart rate
Premature rupture of the membranes
Twins or other multiple pregnancy

What are the risks of external cephalic version?
External cephalic version has some risks, including the following:
Premature labor
Premature rupture of the membranes
A small blood loss for either the baby or the mother
Fetal distress leading to an emergency cesarean delivery
The baby might turn back to the breech position after the external cephalic version is done
Although the risk of having these complications is small, some doctors prefer not to try an external cephalic version.

What can I expect if my doctor and I decide to try external cephalic version?
External cephalic version is usually done in the hospital. Before the procedure, you will have an ultrasound to confirm that the baby is breech. Your doctor will also do a nonstress test to make sure that the baby's heart rate is normal. A tube of blood will be drawn and an anesthesiologist will be notified (just in case you need to have an emergency cesarean delivery). You'll be given medicine through a vein in your arm to relax the muscles in your uterus. This medicine is very safe, with no risk to your baby. While you're lying down, the doctor will place his or her hands on the outside of your abdomen. After locating the baby's head, the doctor will gently try to turn the baby to the head-first position.