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Childbirth

Any recent experiences of ecv and transverse position pls?

11 replies

justonemorethread · 02/02/2016 00:13

39 weeks baby just decided to get in to transverse position. Apparently was head down until now. Also anterior placenta that is a bit too low.
Hospital booked me in for ecv in two days, but didn't manage to get any information about procedure ( hopefully they will brief me at the appt?!).

Of course I googled it, found spinning babies website and a few quite scary old mumsnet threads.

Based on this research I feel like declining and opting for c section if baby doesn't behave!!!

If anyone has words ofvwisdom or recent experience I'd be really grateful.

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justonemorethread · 02/02/2016 00:13

Oh and amniotic fluid levels are slightly elevated.

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LumpySpaceCow · 02/02/2016 05:25

Hi,
No experience sorry but there is a really good private Facebook group called 'Breech Birth UK' and lots of women on there have had ECV so could give you their experience. The admins are also really knowledgeable! I'm on there as I have breech babies!

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Fugghetaboutit · 02/02/2016 05:41

I wouldn't have one. I'd opt for a c section and get baby out safely

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justonemorethread · 02/02/2016 05:50

Thanks will look that up.
Did you have a bad experience fugget?

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Swifey · 02/02/2016 06:06

I went into labour with ds 8 months, and he was transverse and I had an anterior placenta, cue all hell breaking loose on the ward as everyone started panicking (I was an inpatient because of both things) I was going in for my planned c section that morning anyway. Long story short, rushed hero ugh yo delivery to be prepped, and they scanned me to see what exactly was happening, and ds had flipped, was no head down, and placenta had moved! Ds was born naturally less that 3 hours later! So it's not all doom and gloom!!

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madsaz76 · 02/02/2016 06:17

I had an ECV two weeks ago for a frank breech. I found it absolutely fine. The risk to baby is extremely small. Generally when it c9mes to making decisions you need to know if you are a heart vs head type.

Logically there's a less than 1% chance of baby being upset by it and if they are then you will be delivered. If you are more a heart person then the stories will alter your feelings & you may be more likely to refuse.

For me I turned up and everyone went on about how much it would hurt - almost lost my bottle as I am a wuss. However I am also good at relaxing and didn't fancy abdominal surgery so tried to chill.

Got an injection, took a couple of deep breaths and then it to 90 seconds to turn baby. Not painful in the slightest but felt odd - especially at the point baby flipped. Felt a bit shaky afterwards but that was adrenaline.

I'm glad I did it - instantly more comfortable and I can eat and baby didn't appear to give a damn on the loads of monitoring they do. Now waiting for a natural arrival - 39 +3 today.

Whatever you choose to do will be the right decision. I think ECV works best if you can relax and not tense up so worth taking this into account. Good luck

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justonemorethread · 02/02/2016 13:55

Thanks for the positive stories. For some reason I'm still not 100% convinced but at least I will have a chance to talk it through with someone tomorrow.

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madsaz76 · 02/02/2016 14:12

Then you may be a go with your heart person. It's entirely your choice

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justonemorethread · 03/02/2016 08:38

I think you're right Mazda, I'm sure the nhs would not offer the procedure if the risks outweigh the benefits. I know logically that is the case but just can't shake theat ' feeling' that it's not right ffor me.
(Consultant is going to love me today!!)

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madsaz76 · 03/02/2016 15:42

how did you get on?

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justonemorethread · 03/02/2016 18:07

Thanks for asking! I had stern words with baby and she was head down again at the appt. I was so relieved!

Doc thinks I have a 'wandering' baby so have been told just to go in at first signs of labour so they can scan for position at that point. After due date they suggested inducing while she is head down rather than give her another chance to lie sideways, which can lead to an emergency situation.

So, to anyone wondering, I recommend having strong words with baby before going for ecv!

Interestingly she said they have less than 1% of emergency csections at the hospital because they only perform gentle ecvs on cases that are already favourable ( eg, baby has been head down before, scan shows umbilical cord not in the way, placenta not in the way) they don't give the injection to relax muscles and they don't persist if nothing is happening after first few manipulations, so I was actually very reassured.

I've had such a good experience with the level of care in the nhs - my other babies were overseas. So many of us don't appreciate what we have.

Anyway thanks again, no more rambling from me!!