If your baby doesn't move into a head-first position on his or her own, your doctor may attempt to do an external version. Your doctor will try to rotate the baby by pressing down on your belly. You may be given medicine to relax your uterus. This can make it easier for your doctor to rotate the baby. During a version, ultrasound is used to watch your baby.
Your doctor presses down on your belly and locates the baby's head and bottom.
By pressing down on your belly, your doctor may be able to rotate the baby into a head-first position. This often will allow a vaginal birth.
Even if the baby's position can't be changed, he or she can sometimes be born vaginally. But more often, a cesarean section (surgical delivery) is done. You will have anesthesia (medicine to block pain), but you may remain awake and alert.
Date Last Reviewed: 2007-01-15T00:00:00-07:00
Date Last Modified: 2002-07-09T00:00:00-06:00
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