Cardiotocographic changes after external cephalic version.
Cardiotocographic tracings before and after 53 attempts at external cephalic version (ECV) in 52 patients were analysed. Hexoprenaline (Ipradol) was used to facilitate ECV in 25 of the 53 attempts. There was a significant decrease in fetal movements and fetal heart rate (FHR) variability and reactivity after external cephalic version; temporary baseline bradycardia occurred in five patients. The most likely explanation for the changes observed is that they represent the fetal response to a period of stress caused by decreased uteroplacental blood flow during the procedure.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001946:Breech Presentation; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D005323:Fetal Monitoring; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D009068:Movement; D011247:Pregnancy; D014710:Version, Fetal