EXTERNAL CEPHALIC VERSION AT TERM - USING TOCOLYSIS

Fifty-five patients with non-vertex presentation at 37 to 40 weeks' ge station were evaluated to determine which factors were associated with a successful external cephalic version (ECV). Maternal parity, obesit y, amniotic fluid volume, placental location, type of breech and posit ion of fetal spine were analyzed. Only amniotic fluid volume and fetal weight were significantly associated with a successful version (p<0.0 5), 40/55 (73%) were successfully converted, 36/55 (65%) were vertex a t delivery, and 32/55 (58%) delivered vaginally. Version attempts were successful in six out of eight patients who had undergone a previous cesarean section. Two out of six of the successful version patients we nt on to have vaginal birth after cesarean section. We conclude that a lthough ECV is a reasonable alternative in the management of pathologi cal presentation near term it should be performed only when there is s ufficient amniotic fluid volume.