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Childbirth

ECV opinion

35 replies

haylezu85 · 21/05/2016 22:41

I have been booked for an ECV next week as my baby is breech. Any opinions and experiences :)

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Move2WY · 21/05/2016 22:49

Don't expect it to work. They give you an injection to relax your muscles and then start whilst monitoring the baby. I was interrupted half way through so it failed as they couldn't continue.

It is very uncomfortable, but if successful at least you avoid a c section if thats what you want to avoid.

However, an elcs is not so bad!

BlueEyeshadow · 21/05/2016 22:49

Didn't work for Ds1 and was rather uncomfortable, but probably worth a try!

haylezu85 · 21/05/2016 22:52

I went for my appointment ready to refuse but felt pushed too agree! I think I may decline and go for the c section.

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AlexandraEiffel · 21/05/2016 23:00

I personally wouldn't have one. You can absolutely refuse if you don't want one.

nolongerwaitingfornumber2 · 21/05/2016 23:01

Would you not be supported in a vaginal breech birth? It doesn't have to mean elcs.

Flannelmcpoppety · 21/05/2016 23:03

I had one - was booked in for one but actually went into early labour so had one half way through. It hurt like hell but worked, which I was pleased about as really didn't want a c section due to it being early (36 weeks so not too bad but still) and recovery time for me.

haylezu85 · 21/05/2016 23:03

Thank you for your replies, they advised that it was my choice but very pushy! My hospital doesn't give the option of a breech birth.

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Mrscog · 21/05/2016 23:07

I had one which worked - very uncomfortable and was starving hungry afterwards as you have to not eat that day in case you need an emcs.

Definitely worth it.

nolongerwaitingfornumber2 · 21/05/2016 23:13

What a shame Haylez - would you have liked to try if they did? There are organisations who can help.

Breech Birth UK group on fb are a mine of useful info if you were to post your ecv question there anyway.

Dildals · 21/05/2016 23:18

I personally didn't agree to ECV because of the risks to the baby. Make sure you get monitored for an hour after ECV if you do agree.

haylezu85 · 21/05/2016 23:18

I have cholestasis so I am classed as high risk anyway so I don't think I would want to do anything that could add any stress to the delivery. I have to be induced early if baby turns or c section as my risk of still born increases after this date with the condition. I am very limited to options, I would have to be on the monitor all the way through if I had induction. Which is a shame but I had the same with my first at 35 weeks. As long as baby is healthy and delivered safely that's my main thing.

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Nobodysbidness · 21/05/2016 23:31

I had an ECV which didn't work & resulted in a crash emergency section because my baby's heart rate fell dramatically as a result of the procedure. It later emerged that baby was breech because the cord was short. I was told there was no way of knowing this from a scan. Luckily baby was fine but it was a risk I could have avoided by having a planned CS. I was not offered any muscle relaxants and found it deeply painful to the point where I almost fainted, though this could have been due to short cord which I accept is probably unusual. I would not personally recommend an ECV to anyone. The surgical team were brilliant & got the baby out super quick but I have some post traumatic stress about it, I suspect, and will possibly push for a planned CS next time around.

haylezu85 · 21/05/2016 23:36

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience with the ECV , they have explained the risks but said it hadn't happened at the hospital I'm
Under, I had gone to my appointment ready to turn it down but ended up agreeing. Think I may call them Monday and tell them how I feel and want to go ahead with the ELCS that I have booked.

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VimFuego101 · 21/05/2016 23:43

It sounds like you're uncomfortable with this. I wouldn't want an ECV either. Practice in advance what you want to say, if you think you'll be pressured into agreeing to it, and take someone with you who will help you stand your ground.

haylezu85 · 21/05/2016 23:47

Yeah I am un comfortable with the idea of it, I was going to give it a go so that I had at least tried but thinking about it is stressing me out more than the thought of the c section. Thank you for sharing you're thoughts.

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Teapot13 · 22/05/2016 03:51

I don't have experience having ECV, but I have experience deciding against it!

First of all, I couldn't see the logic of risking an EMCS at 35 weeks to avoid an ELCS at 39. (I realize the probabilities of the two outcomes were different.)

More important, my consultant said he wouldn't do it but could refer me to a colleague. I asked why, thinking it was just a specialization he didn't pursue. He said, "Because I don't know what I think of this turning business." Obviously that made me really uncomfortable. I think the NHS is very pro-ECV because they are trying to reduce the CS rate, but not all doctors think it's a good idea.

My baby turned by herself, and then when I went in for my induction the day after my due date she had turned again, without me noticing, in the 40th week of pregnancy. So I was glad I hadn't bothered with ECV!

CeeCee00 · 22/05/2016 04:18

I was booked in for one but cancelled the morning of the appointment. I just had a gut feeling that I didn't want either my body or my baby messing with. Everyone is totally different but if you're not comfortable just say no thanks. My DD was born by ECS and whilst it was the opposite of what I'd hoped for (hypnobirthing at home in a pool!) it was a good experience. My little girl was happy and healthy.

Good luck whatever you decide.

FishWithABicycle · 22/05/2016 05:17

I've never had to make this choice but I wouldn't be comfortable with an ECV - the risk to the baby may be small but it is there and although a CS is more expensive for the NHS and more risky for the mother it is safer for the baby and that seems like the most important thing to me.

Good luck!

nolongerwaitingfornumber2 · 22/05/2016 12:49

Ah I see! Well as you would need to be induced even if the ecv works then you could still be at higher risk of intervention and emcs so I can understand your reticence about the ecv under the circumstances. Good luck with your decision!

FlumptyDumpty · 22/05/2016 16:18

I personally would never have an ECV, given the risks of them versus the risks of ELCS (not forgetting that vaginal birth isn't risk-free either).

Like a pp I would wonder if the hospital were on some level concerned about how its CS rate was looking, rather than solely focussing on my baby.

It's your baby and your body. You have every right to refuse this intervention if you are not comfortable with it - despite the impression your midwife might give you!

haylezu85 · 22/05/2016 17:02

I've read all I can and spoken to the consultant , 2 midwifes and I can tell that they are pushing for me to have the ECV but I have made my mind up that I'm going with my ELCS on the 8th instead. Thank you for your reply :)

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nolongerwaitingfornumber2 · 22/05/2016 17:06

I'm so pleased you have made the decision you are happy with and not felt forced into something you didn't want. Good luck for the 8th!!

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Flannelmcpoppety · 22/05/2016 17:17

I had cholestasis too! 3 times. Awful...really feel for you; but it's true what they say - once the baby is out, you feel better almost immediately!

AlexandraEiffel · 22/05/2016 18:21

Pleased you've made the decision you feel happy with

haylezu85 · 22/05/2016 19:17

I had cholestasis with my first also 10 years ago. It is a nightmare coping with the itch! All be over soon now tho.

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