Epidural may help turn breech babies, reducing need for C-section
Women carrying breech babies have a better chance of avoiding a cesarean delivery (C-section) when spinal or epidural anesthesia is used during external cephalic version (ECV), a procedure used to turn the baby head-down before labor, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).
External cephalic version, a procedure to turn a baby from breech to head-down position, may prove more successful with the aid of spinal or epidural anesthesia, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). The ASA's statement highlights that ECV success rates could improve by nearly 40% when anesthesia is used.
Around 3% to 4% of babies at 37 weeks of pregnancy remain in the breech position, making it crucial to determine whether anesthesia is accessible at the patient's healthcare facility. The ASA emphasizes that offering ECV to eligible patients before labor begins can help reduce the need for cesarean delivery, a major surgery that poses risks to both mothers and babies.
During ECV, a physician applies pressure to the mother's abdomen to guide the baby into the optimal position, while the baby is closely monitored. Anesthesia can enhance patient comfort, making it easier for medical professionals to reposition the baby. For obstetrician Dr. Amber Watters, who had to undergo ECV herself, anesthesia was instrumental in her successful delivery.
The ASA stresses that providing spinal or epidural anesthesia for ECV is cost-effective and can be performed in a hospital setting equipped to handle emergencies. Patients should consult with their obstetrician about ECV options and anesthesia availability, especially if the baby remains in the breech position as the due date approaches.
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