External cephalic version (ECV) is typically offered at what gestational age for a singleton breech fetus?

External cephalic version (ECV) is typically offered at what gestational age for a singleton breech fetus?

• A. 28-30 weeks
• B. 32-34 weeks
• C. 36-37 weeks
• D. 40 weeks

Answer: (C)

External cephalic version is timed to try turning the breech while there’s still time before labor but enough maturity to reduce risks. The best window for a singleton is around 36 to 37 weeks. At this point the fetus is near term, so a successful turn increases the chance of a cephalic delivery, and there’s still time to plan delivery if needed. Doing it earlier (like 28–30 weeks) yields high reversion rates back to breech and unnecessary follow-up procedures, while doing it too late (close to or at 40 weeks) leaves little time to manage a non-vertex presentation before labor and increases risk if the version fails. Therefore 36–37 weeks is the optimal timing.

External cephalic version is timed to try turning the breech while there’s still time before labor but enough maturity to reduce risks. The best window for a singleton is around 36 to 37 weeks. At this point the fetus is near term, so a successful turn increases the chance of a cephalic delivery, and there’s still time to plan delivery if needed. Doing it earlier (like 28–30 weeks) yields high reversion rates back to breech and unnecessary follow-up procedures, while doing it too late (close to or at 40 weeks) leaves little time to manage a non-vertex presentation before labor and increases risk if the version fails. Therefore 36–37 weeks is the optimal timing.