Impact of a protocol for external cephalic version under tocolysis at term

We present our experience with 60 trials of external cephalic version under tocolysis (EVT) performed on 58 women with uncomplicated (low-risk) pregnancies at term (37 to 42 weeks) during a 10-month period. Version was successful in 67.2% of the subjects (70.7% of trials). Fetal well-being was monitored before, during and after the procedure by cardiotocography and real-time ultrasound (RTUS). No analgetic or anesthetic medication was administered. Transient fetal bradycardia was recorded in 18 women. No major complications were noted. Compared with the period preceding the protocol, the breech rate declined during the study period by 1.02% (P < 0.02) with a parallel decline of 1.12% (P < 0.001) in the low-risk breech group affected by the protocol. The cesarean section rate for low-risk breeches fell from 1.85 to 0.89% (P < 0.001), while the overall cesarean section rate decreased from 10.15 to 9.1% (not significant). We conclude from our experience and previous studies that EVT/RTUS is a reasonable alternative in the management of pathological presentations near term, provided that only low-risk pregnancies are included, and analgesia or anesthesia for external version under tocolysis is avoided.