When to perform a cesarean section in patients with transverse fetal position

If a patient with transverse fetal position is combined with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or chronic nephritis, the appropriate time to terminate the pregnancy should be chosen in relation to the specific condition. If there are no comorbidities and complications, cesarean delivery is usually an option at 39 weeks. If the abdominal wall is loose and the previous pregnancy is normal, external transfer of fetal position to cephalic position is feasible after 37 weeks, and after successful transfer, the fetal head can be fixed with a lap band around the abdomen and wait for natural delivery. If the external transfer fails, the pregnancy should be terminated at 39 weeks. It is not recommended to terminate the pregnancy before 39 weeks because if the pregnancy is terminated before 39 weeks, the individual fetus will develop neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, resulting in preterm birth of medical origin. Termination of pregnancy after 39 weeks is also not recommended because of the risk of premature rupture of membranes and cord prolapse due to increased physiological contractions after 39 weeks of gestation. In case of cord prolapse, delivery of the fetus within 7-8 minutes is required, otherwise the fetus will suffer acute hypoxia or even fetal death in utero. This is almost impossible to do if it is outside the hospital.