Podalic version has a long history spanning back to Hippocrates.

Is internal podalic version a lost art?

Podalic version may be external or internal.

Podalic version is an obstetric procedure wherein the fetus is turned within the womb such that one or both feet present through the cervix during childbirth.

Louise Bourgeois Boursier publishes her Collection of Secrets on obstetrics in Paris, including techniques such as podalic version.

Guillemeau was a practitioner of the podalic version for use in cases of placenta praevia, a procedure that was earlier revived by Ambroise Paré.

He revived the practice of podalic version, and showed how even in cases of head presentation, surgeons with this operation could often deliver the infant safely, instead of having to dismember the infant and extract the infant piece by piece.

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."