External cephalic version

Turning the baby so that the head is pointed down toward the pelvic inlet. In most pregnancies, babies orient themselves with the head down toward the pelvis in preparation for labor and delivery by about the 34th week. If the baby is oriented with the head up or lying with the back toward the pelvis, labor is more complicated and a cesarean delivery is more likely. Your doctor may try to turn the baby before delivery- this is called an external version. The doctor will try to turn the baby so that the head is down, pointing toward the pelvis. This is done with pressure on the baby applied through the mother's abdomen. External cephalic version reduces the necessity of a cesarean section, but is not indicated in every case of breech presentation. Ask your doctor more about version to see if this procedure is appropriate for you. There are both risks and benefits from this procedure.