Äußere Wendung – Chancen und Risiken

External cephalic version is a low-risk obstetric maneuver in which the fetus is manually turned from a breech or transverse position to a head-down position. It is typically performed on a uterus without contractions 3–4 weeks before the due date. The success rate varies in the literature and is approximately 50%. It is influenced by various maternal and fetal factors. A version should be offered to every pregnant woman with a fetal breech or transverse position in the absence of contraindications to increase the rate of vaginal births in a head-down position, prevent cesarean sections and thereby reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality. The average complication rate is 6%, with the most common being temporary abnormalities in fetal heart rate. Severe complications are rare. Most women tolerate an external cephalic version well. Tocolytics and analgesic measures can be supportively used.