Watch the incredible moment a doctor re-positions a baby in breech in just TWO MINUTES
DAD-TO-BE Liam Muckleston watched as the medic performed an external cephalic version on his wife to flip the foetus
DAD-TO-BE Liam Muckleston watched as the medic performed an external cephalic version on his wife to flip the foetus
THIS is the incredible moment a doctor uses his hands to flip a baby in the breech position by simply massaging the mum's tummy.
The procedure, which is called an an external cephalic version (ECV), took place at Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton when the mum-to-be, Jess, was 36 weeks pregnant.
Dad-to-be Liam Muckleston watched and recorded as the doctor performed an ultrasound which revealed the foetus was in the breech position.
He then injected Jess with tocolytic medicine to relax her uterus and prevent contractions, warning her the EVC is likely to feel uncomfortable, but not unbearably painful.
He tells her: "If you cannot tolerate it, just say so."
The doctor then gets to work, pushing down at the base of Jess's bump and rolling the baby into the right position.
After a minute Jess starts to giggle and apologises as Liam tells her: "Don't laugh, she's moving, she's moving."
As the procedure continues the doctor reminds Jess to keep breathing as she admits it "felt funny".
After two minutes the doctor declares it's done and the baby is shown to be no longer in breech on the ultrasound.
Liam says: "What a man, you're a genius! You could see her turning, that was amazing," while Jess gives him a big thumbs up.
The amazing video has clocked up more than 1.8 million views on YouTube.
During pregnancy babies often twist and turn.
Usually by the time a mum-to-be goes into labour they have settled into a position that allows them to be born head-first through the birth canal.
But that isn't always the case and a foetus can sometimes end up feet, knees or bottom first.
While it is safest to perform a C-section during a breech birth, complications like umbilical cord prolapse, oxygen deprivation and injury to the brain and skull are a risk.
An obstetrician and midwife will discuss with expectant mums the best and safest form of care.
They will be advised to have their baby in hospital and usually be offered the option of an external cephalic version (ECV).
This is when an obstetrician tries to turn the baby into a head-down (cephalic) position by applying pressure to the abdomen.
It's a safe procedure, although it can be a little uncomfortable.
Around 50 per cent of breech babies can be turned using ECV and of those, most then remain head-down, allowing a normal birth to take place.