Dr made me feel rubbish about c section

[smidge1717]

Dear all

Last week at 36+6 I had to have a scan as midwife was worried about growth of baby. Had scan baby size is perfect but it was discovered he was breech, at all previous appointments i had been told he was head down!

A bit of a shock; and then a registrar came in and just talked at me about ECV and I reluctantly agreed to have it today.

After researching it over the past week and speaking with people I decided I just didnt feel comfortable having ECV. I spoke with my midwife earlier in the week and she said that is fine and quite a few women decide against it and have a c section as a c section is now considered safer than giving birth to a breech baby. She said I was to still attend appointment today as they would need to go through info about c section.

When I went for app all the midwifes were lovely and reassured me it was fine to change my mind about not having ECV. When the dr saw me she asked why I was declining the procedure and I advised just not comfortable with it. She booked c section for me but kept saying I just don't get why you would chose c section over five mins of discomfort and was it just that I just didnt want to give birth.

This made me feel upset and embarrassed as up until last week my plan had been to have a home birth with little intervention, none of this was what I wanted but I am just trying to make the right decision. I don't want ECV and then it doesn't work and it's more anxiety and hosp trips (it's not close) about whether to try ECV again or book c section, feel there is more of a plan now.

Anyways I stuck to my guns and am booked in for c section two weeks tomorrow a day before he is due so maybe he will be here before then anyways! In an ideal world he will turn by himself, unlikely I know and I can have a normal birth: I am doing the exercises suggested on spinning babies.

Anyone else experience any attitude about ur decisions?

Just feel I can't win!

Sorry for rant just feeling a bit low, 37+5 with first baby and I am only trying to make the best decision I can xx

[Scotmum83]

I'm in the same position,but baby is footling breech so ecv isn't an option for me. I'm glad tbh as there are risks to the ecv and I had decided that it wasn't for me. Don't let anyone push you into it if you don't feel it's the right thing for you. It's Not always successful and the baby can turn breech again so you may end up with a section anyway. I'm not glad to be having a section but happy that I know when and what is happening to me and hopefully that will mean I can relax for the next two weeks :)

[GinnelsandWhippets]

The dr was being unprofessional for suggesting you just didn't want to give birth. How ridiculous. ECV does carry risks, as does birth, and pregnancy itself for that matter. You have to decide for yourself what risks you're prepared to take.

I've had 2 CSs, one EMCS for face presentation and one ELCS for severe SPD and an unstable lie (baby flipping transverse to breech to head down). I think you need to listen to your body and the messages your baby is sending you. If it's stubbornly breech then maybe there's a reason for that, so let it be and have a CS. Very sensible of you IMO :).

[smidge1717]

Thanks! The dr said that50% of all ecvs that are done stay in correct position-- but what about the other 50%? I just didnt want the anxiety of it all.

Like you said there are risks with everything and I haven't taken any decision lightly-- was just not expecting to be made to feel like that :-(

[naturalbaby]

It's not as simple as csection is safer than breech. A csection can be considered safer as midwives may not have enough experience to deliver a breech baby safely.
I agree with listening to your body, and your midwives. My midwife was very confident and supportive of my plans which made it easier to stick to them.

[JazzAnnNonMouse]

Really long term it doesn't matter how they come out, as long as they do with least possible unhappiness for you and baby.

There are pros and cons to both vag birth and cesarean - they equal each other I think!

[PeanutPatty]

Don't let them guilt trip you! I refused an ECV. Far too traumatic for the baby and me. It really wasn't for me.
Not judging others who've had it. I'm a real weakling and the thought of it gave me shivers! I followed the Spinning Babies exercised and he moved round anyway to Boo Ya to the Dr!

[RJnomore]

Ecv can be a dangerous procedure in itself. I would never let anyone attempt that on me.

My second was a footling breech as well so they didn't suggest that, I really really didn't want a c section as I was terrified, I had never had surgery before, I made plans with a consultant who was comfortable and very experienced delviering breech babies attempting a vaginal delivery to have a controlled induction, but in the end she was trying to shoot out at 32 weeks and they just and no more got me to theatre in time, I think my point is we all have different experiences but it doesn't really matter. What matters is a healthy baby and as undamaged a mother as possible.

Stuff that doctor.

[PenguinsHatchedAnEgg]

I know this is pedantic, but can I just say:

"c section is now considered safer than giving birth to a breech baby."

A C-section is giving birth to a breech baby. It's a different way of giving birth. I think you mean that it's considered safer than giving birth vaginally to a breech baby.

[Flisspaps]

The Dr is being a twat.

How exciting, you'll have a lovely new baby soon

[Downtonflabby]

Some Dr behave like Demi gods and forget they are actually supposed to be offering a service!

Glad you stuck to your guns! Don't give it a second thought x

[divingoffthebalcony]

The only answer to a statement like that is GTF

I wouldn't consent to an ECV either, they look barbaric and the success rate is variable.

[PeanutPatty]

Chunderella - that is outrageous. Absolutely outrageous. Did you complain?

Penguins - exactly! A CS is birthing a child!

[smidge1717]

THanks ladies for all your support:-)

And yes I am more than aware a csection is birthing a child---needless to say I was a bit upset and frustrated when I wrote my first post so not necessarily worded absolutely perfect

[PenguinsHatchedAnEgg]

Sorry, I realise my post maybe came across a bit blunt. I didn't mean it as a criticism. Just that some people can be sensitive and get upset by what they see as the implication that they didn't give birth.

[PicandMinx]

Chunderella! Complain - or the student MW will think it's ok to behave in such an unprofessional manner.

When will HCP realise that their job is to discuss choices and options and not voice their opinions.

[smidge1717]

Don't worry:-) probably just being sensitive.

It's nice to have support as honestly the dr made me feel like the biggest failure! I would rather my baby wasn't breech and I could just continue with my birth plan- but she made out that I couldn't be bothered with the 'inconvenience' of ECV and she kept going on about the 50%success rate-err what about the other 50% who it doesn't work for! Just made me angry

[RedToothBrush]

When the dr saw me she asked why I was declining the procedure and I advised just not comfortable with it. She booked c section for me but kept saying I just don't get why you would chose c section over five mins of discomfort and was it just that I just didnt want to give birth.

This is unprofessional, and may constitute undue pressure to try and make you change your mind. This is completely unethical and you would be within your rights to complain about their attitude and how it has made you feel.

If you do not feel comfortable with the risks of a procedure; refuse and stick to your guns. This is not a procedure that is uncommon to refuse either. HCP should be allowing you to make an informed decision for yourself, not pressuring you or making you feel guilty.

[HicDraconis]

For what it's worth - I wouldn't have an ECV either. I didn't want the risks that it would have entailed.

DS1 was breech until 34 weeks (I went swimming, did an underwater roly poly and he flipped himself - and I nearly passed out!) and when it was discussed I refused it. It was either ELCS, or labour with a head down baby.

Don't allow one registrar to make you feel bad about your decision. Life is a series of risk assessments and decisions - you've made the decision you think is right for you after a risk assessment of the two options. It may be different to the decision someone else would have made but this is your risk strategy not theirs.

Good luck :)

[IamSlave]

I have had both ways, honestly its a gift you have been given, ELC are wonderful ways to bring baby into world.

its not easy - you cant win when you have a baby but the birth is wonderful....and your not too tired or physically drained etc...its great!

ems is not the same as a planned and calm els.

the dr sounds bonkers....my own doc at home, was astonished when i said i had chosen an elc! but why why.....

i think your very very very lucky, good luck with it and consider co sleeper cot.

[duchesse]

ECV is cheaper for them but has a lot more risks as I understand it. In fact even 20 years ago they preferred not to do ECV as it was seen as an outdated manoeuvre that rarely worked.

I've had both vaginal birth (3 x, inc 2 unmedicated at home) and one crash CS. For me the CS was the easiest and most pleasant. I wouldn't recommend a crash CS under GA with a very sick baby but that was more pleasant for me than labour. My sister has had 5 CS and her planned ones were by far the most pleasant of the 5. She never had a crash one though.

[Ragwort]

The Doctor sounds very unprofessional (and hasn't there been some research that shows that more doctors choose to have a CS than a VB ?).

I remember asking for a ELCS - the doctor dismissed my views and said 'a girl like you will be fine' - I was in my 40s - I ended up having an EMCS which didn't bother me at all but no doubt cost the NHS a lot more than an ELCS would have.

[duchesse]

Ragwort, most of the doctors I know prefer CS, certainly! And the male ones would prefer their partners to have a CS. I know only one female doctor who is really sold on natural chidlbirth and she ended up with 2 CS anyway thanks to her dear friend's intervention!

[HeyBabyBaby71]

Erm, try reflexology. Look at the spinning babies website. Maybe try and turn the baby and then these decisions won't come into it?