Podalic version is an

obstetric Obstetrics is the field of study concentrated on pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. As a medical specialty, obstetrics is combined with gynecology under the discipline known as obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), which is a surgic ...

procedure wherein the

fetus A fetus or foetus (; : fetuses, foetuses, rarely feti or foeti) is the unborn offspring of a viviparous animal that develops from an embryo. Following the embryonic development, embryonic stage, the fetal stage of development takes place. Pren ...

is turned within the womb such that one or both feet present through the

cervix The cervix (: cervices) or cervix uteri is a dynamic fibromuscular sexual organ of the female reproductive system that connects the vagina with the uterine cavity. The human female cervix has been documented anatomically since at least the time ...

during

childbirth Childbirth, also known as labour, parturition and delivery, is the completion of pregnancy, where one or more Fetus, fetuses exits the Womb, internal environment of the mother via vaginal delivery or caesarean section and becomes a newborn to ...

. It is used most often in cases where the fetus lies transversely or in another abnormal position in the womb. In modern medicine, abnormal lies are increasingly delivered via

Caesarean section Caesarean section, also known as C-section, cesarean, or caesarean delivery, is the Surgery, surgical procedure by which one or more babies are Childbirth, delivered through an incision in the mother's abdomen. It is often performed because va ...

. According to Gabbe, "There is no place for internal podalic version and breech extraction in the management of transverse or oblique lie or unstable presentation in singleton pregnancies because of the unacceptably high rate of fetal and maternal complications." Podalic version has a long history spanning back to

Hippocrates Hippocrates of Kos (; ; ), also known as Hippocrates II, was a Greek physician and philosopher of the Classical Greece, classical period who is considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine. He is traditionally referr ...

. It fell out of favor over the centuries until revived by

Ambroise Paré Ambroise Paré (; – 20 December 1590) was a French barber surgeon who served in that role for kings Henry II, Francis II, Charles IX and Henry III. He is considered one of the fathers of surgery and modern forensic pathology and a pione ...

in the 16th century. • Internal podalic version comprises a series of manoeuvres performed prior to breech extraction to deliver a fetus with a persistent transverse or oblique lie in the second stage of labour. • It is most commonly employed for the delivery of a second twin after the vaginal birth of the first and can expedite delivery in the case of profound bradycardia. • Caesarean section for the delivery of the second baby in these circumstances is an increasingly common alternative approach but is associated with its own physical and emotional morbidities and can cause undue delay in delivery.

Types

Podalic version may be external or internal.

References

Is internal podalic version a lost art? Optimum mode of delivery in transverse lie
* Gabbe. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th Ed. 2007. Churchill Livingstone * https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1576/toag.13.1.7.27635 Obstetrical procedures {{treatment-stub