Anyone successfully turned a breech baby?

[StiffyByng]

If so, how? I'm only 32 weeks so plenty of time left (second baby) but want to put a bit of effort in! I've looked on Spinning Babies-has anyone lain upside down on the ironing board? Did moxibustion crack it?

[xlatia]

a friend of mine had hers turned by specialists in hospital. she said it hurt like buggery but it worked!

[StiffyByng]

Ah, you see I'm not remotely sure I'd go for an ECV. I've read it can cause serious problems.

[tootssweet]

I had an ecv at 39+5. One of the weirdest sensations in my life! No pain but another mum in my ante-natal class had to stop hers halfway through as it just wasn't working. Sorry don't really think that's helped!

[Pascha]

DS1 was turned successfully by ECV at 37 weeks. DS2 was breech at the 20 week scan and stayed that way, at 30 weeks I started doing inversions on the stairs every day and he had turned the right way round by 34 weeks. He might well have done anyway but I think the inversions loosened up the muscles enough to give him room to turn.

[Fishandjam]

DD was successfully ECV'd at 37 weeks, and induced the following day (nothing to do with the ECV - obstetric cholestasis). But they were super-careful to monitor her after the ECV in case of distress, and had a theatre on standby in case I needed a crash CS.

[Chocolateporridge]

My DD was turned by ECV at around 37 weeks too. It was a wee bit painful, not too much though, and like a previous poster said, they were very careful to monitor us both for an hour or so afterwards. All the staff were delighted as the success rate is only something like 50%.

[bassingtonffrench]

my baby turned at 37 weeks spontaneously. i had been offered a ECV and wasn't keen so was thrilled when midwife confirmed.

I didn't even feel the sensation, which is astonishing as he was immense, but i suspect it might have been triggered after or during a swim.

[MrsAbernethy]

We used acupressure to turn DD1, it worked a treat but took 2-3 weeks of massaging the pressure points to get her to turn. By that point I was 38 weeks and booked in for a section, which then turned out to be unnecessary!
You certainly know when a breech baby turns at that stage

[Justawake]

Tried absolutely bloody everything from ironing boards, ball bouncing, crawling, burning sticks etc....Had been breech since 20 week scan. Hospital refused to do ecv as ds was already engaged and in an awkward position. Ended up with c section which has been fine so just to reassure you that if your baby doesn't turn an elcs is not so bad (and I hated the thought of an operation beforehand and was terrified on the day but turned out to be surprisingly calm).

[birdofthenorth]

DD turned at nearly 37 weeks after lots and lots of bouncing in a gym ball
in front of the tv and some nice long walks! Unfortunately she decided to turn during a long car journey which was mightily uncomfortable, but at least she turned! and then stayed out inside til 42 weeks

[BeaWheesht]

I doubt my method is scientifically proven but I used frozen peas and put them 'on' the babies head. She shuffled and shuffled for ages as I rotated packs of peas and turned round it was a bizarre feeling tbh but maybe that's because she was a big baby and had a turned in leg she was stuck fast in the breech position before that.

Fwiw I had decided not to have an ECV and I'd 80% decided on trying for a breech birth - she was my second though, not sure I would have went down that route with a first.

[StiffyByng]

Thanks, all. This is my second and my midwives are assuming I'll want to give a natural birth a shot if the baby doesn't turn. I was quite surprised but then I am a massive hippy and they know that, so probably understandable!

As I'm only 33 weeks, I've been told to wait a week or so before launching any big efforts, in case the baby just turned straight back again. I'm really not keen on ECV but apparently the consultant here has a pretty good success rate.

[Sarahplane]

I had an ecv with dd, massively painful and didn't work. They tried three times but she just kept flipping back again. Was booked in for a cs tried all of the tricks and nothing worked. The day before the cs my midwife said she was still breach but when they scanned me at the hospital she was head down so they sent me home. She turned in her own time not when she was told to. Dd's still got the same stubborn streak now.

ds was breach up until 36/37 weeks too and turned on his own without needing tobe persuaded.

[StiffyByng]

That's what I've heard about ECVs, Sarah. I was to say the least when the midwife described it as 'uncomfortable'. We've all heard that before, haven't we?

My first line of action will be upside down on the ironing board and burning candles next to my toes.

[plannedshock]

Hmmm got ecv booked for tomorrow-beyond not looking forward to it, will let you know exactly what it's like!!!

[OneSliceOfSwissCheese]

My breech baby turned at 36 weeks, the day before my ECV. For weeks I'd tried hanging upside down off the sofa, bouncing on my ball etc etc but to no apparant affect. Then I was doing my christmas shopping and I felt baby swivel.....a very strange experience. A scan the next day confirmed it.

Good luck with the EVC planned. I hope it's not too "uncomfortable". I was going to give it a go if I'd needed to.