A training model for external cephalic version.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has recommended that all women with an uncomplicated pregnancy and a breech presentation at term should be offered external cephalic version (ECV) but only 43% of consultants in England practice ECV. There is a need to train clinicians to perform ECV safely and effectively. A model abdomen is described which fulfils these requirements. The model is adjustable to represent a continuum from an easy procedure to an impossible procedure. The model was used to train and assess two midwives in the technique of ECV. This model is a valuable method of both training a clinician to perform ECV and also providing an objective method of assessing their technique. It has the potential to maximise the success rate of the newly trained clinician prior to performing ECV on women.