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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to consider not having ECV

70 replies

ChocolateQuiltedShitPig · 17/04/2020 13:19

Baby is breach although I am currently only 33 weeks. Consultant suggested that of baby is still breach in 4 weeks, I should have this done.

But I'm scared! Has anyone had experience with this?

OP posts:

amazedmummy · 17/04/2020 13:20

DS was breech for a spell, I didn't fancy them trying to move him and said if he didn't move I would have an ELCS. Had one in the end anyway but he'd moved so it was for other reasons.

Brogley · 17/04/2020 13:28

One of my DC was breech and I was offered ECV but after weighing up the risks vs benefits I decided not to go ahead as I felt that a caesarean was less risky than both the ECV and a vaginal breech delivery. There are a lot of countries no longer offer ECV due to the risks associated with it.

FWIW, 33 weeks is plenty of time to turn. Another of my DC was also breech at 37wks but by 39wks had turned head down.

Mariposa123 · 17/04/2020 13:29

I had this. We only had her breech positioning confirmed days before her due date, so I only agreed to have the procedure with the agreement that a c section was booked for me if it didn’t work. I think I only agreed to try it because I felt I should make some effort to try and have a natural birth, but in the same situation I would just go for the c section. Even at 36 weeks it’s a 50/50 success rate.

Marahute · 17/04/2020 13:36

I wouldn't have one personally, they can be brutal, have low success rate, and potentially be very dangerous for the baby.
Depending on type of breech presentation I would have opted for vaginal breech delivery (assuming hospital have +++ experience and good set up for this, which my local hospital does) or if a more difficult breech position (e.g. footling) then a CS.

My DD was still breech at 34 weeks, but had turned head down by time of the 36 week scan. You still have plenty of time for baby to turn. You can increase the chances by not slouching back when sitting (sit on a birthing ball whenever possible!) and with certain exercises (Google Spinning Babies).

Original poster

ChocolateQuiltedShitPig · 17/04/2020 13:51

Thanks for sharing. He is tranverse at present. I take it I can simply refuse the procedure and ask for c section?

OP posts:

Marahute · 17/04/2020 13:53

Yes, you can @ChocolateQuiltedShitPig.
Although if baby is transverse you will hopefully find they turn. Fingers crossed.

WaitingforToto · 17/04/2020 14:06

I've had one. I'm sure every experience is different so I can only tell you what happened to me - it was honestly absolutely fine, not painful, more of a feeling of pressure. Took about 90 seconds and it was done. I actually said 'is that it?!' it was successful and he didn't turn back again so I delivered naturally. Good luck

Merryoldgoat · 17/04/2020 14:08

I decided against it and I’m glad as my boy had an unstable lie and wouldn’t turned again anyway.

WaitingforToto · 17/04/2020 14:08

PS I had it at 38 weeks I think.

Grumpos · 17/04/2020 14:08

Both mine spent a lot of time breech and transverse - up to 36 weeks for the first one then all of a sudden flipped head down.

I looked into ECV but like most pp decided it was way too risky and also they can very easily turn back. I sort of thought if they’d been in a position for months was there a reason? The risk scared me tbh.

You can elect for a section yes but there’s a very very good chance baby will turn.
Get on all fours bum in the air and wiggle a lot, lots of bouncing on gym ball and rotating your hips as you do. Plenty of time!

MitziK · 17/04/2020 14:09

Didn't work for DD1, as her head was extremely well wedged under my ribs.

DD2 was all over the place and probably breech-transverse until about 36 weeks when I felt like my entire insides flipped and nearly fell out.

It's up to you - after all, it's done in hospital, so if there are any problems, you go straight in for section.

Jeezoh · 17/04/2020 14:10

I declined one twice after weighing up the pros and cons.

feelinguseless78 · 17/04/2020 14:13

I refused. I was so glad baby was breech so I didn't have to fight for a c section. They didn't push very hard for me to have the ecv, they mentioned it, I said no, I'll have a c section and thats what happened.

AuntLucy · 17/04/2020 14:36

I had one with my first baby; breech all the way through pregnancy, ECV around 37 weeks. It was extremely painful (up there with later stage labour) and the baby was distressed and I was kept in overnight with a trace for 24 hours. Natural birth at 42 weeks, but complications afterwards which were worse than C-sec recovery. Second baby also breech, and elective C-section at 37'weeks - op and recovery were a walk in the park. So having done both, if they're offering elective C-section, go for it. Elective C-sec is a totally different experience to emergency c-section, recovery was straightforward, plus you skip the last 3-5 weeks of pregnancy. Win-win!

incrediblehux · 17/04/2020 14:39

If it's any consolation, my baby was transverse and turned head down this week (at 36 weeks). So try not to worry whatever. I would have opted for the ECV if offered in a couple of weeks, but I'm glad it's not necessary.

Beckyboom · 17/04/2020 14:53

I was offered one as my baby was transverse as 36 weeks but decided against it when my consultant (who I respect and trust hugely) said he didn’t so they for ethical reasons but could have someone else do it.

My baby turned head down at 37 weeks in the end.

richteasandcheese · 17/04/2020 14:55

Not bu at all. My GP friend was offered one and declined which I think says a lot about the risks

DavinaAddict · 17/04/2020 15:00

I had one at 38 weeks (I think, it was a few years ago now!), and it was fine. DS was incredibly comfortable with his head permanently snuggled up to my rib cage, so I didn’t expect it to work, but it was fine. It was a bit uncomfortable, and nerve racking going in, but a quick procedure and my consultant was brilliant. DS stayed put though for another 4 weeks

Qwerty543 · 17/04/2020 15:01

DC1 was transverse until 37 weeks and turned. DC2 was breech and I had an ECV. I never realised they were that risky tbh. I was told 'there is a slight risk' and had to have my hospital bag with me but that was it.

I'd never have it again or recommend it. Luckily DD was fine but it was horrible and it didn't work. The MW watching was cringing and could barely watch and told me afterwards she couldn't believe I'd let the consultant do that (he was pretty vigorous). Muscles hurt for days afterwards.

I was allowed to sign the csection consent form the second they knew it hadn't worked so no argument etc.

Brogley · 17/04/2020 15:03

I had a transverse baby too for another of my DC - out of four children not a single one was in the right position! As an FYI, you will probably be admitted to hospital if your baby stays transverse as it can he dangerous to go into labour. I was admitted at 36wks and then had a planned csection a couple of days shy of 38wks.

mindutopia · 17/04/2020 15:03

I would consider it, but if you don't want to have it, don't have it. But you have plenty of time. Both of mine were breech at 33 weeks. They were born in the right way around in perfectly uncomplicated vaginal births at 37 and 40 weeks. Seeing an osteopath helped (not really possible at the moment though) and exercises from Spinning babies.

Original poster

ChocolateQuiltedShitPig · 17/04/2020 15:35

Very interesting replies. Thank you.

She didn't say there was any risk involved and I'd actually asked because I have an anterior placenta and wondered if this could be dangerous.

I'm going to do what I can in the hope he moves, however I think I will opt for c section. I am worried about a long recovery or infection though.

Anyone able to share their c section stories please? (This is my first in case you didn't know lol)

OP posts:

dreadpiratered · 17/04/2020 15:43

I had it twice with DC1. Was one of the less pleasant experience in my life, not painful just very odd and uncomfortable. I had read up on the risks and was comfortable with that. Lady with appointment at same time as me decided she didn't want to go ahead and they just booked her in for a section. ECV didn't work for me and then decided to try for a breech birth which is a while other story.

DC2 was breech until 34 weeks and then turned (but got stuck so I still ended up with a c section

AlpacaGoodnight · 17/04/2020 15:47

I was still breech at 36 weeks, I said no way would I have an ecv (I read too many horror stories) and they did not try to change my mind. As it happened the baby turned the next day, but I ended up with an ELCS after an unsuccessful induction (maybe I should have just accepted the C section they had offered a few days before!), all in all it was a great experience with fantastic medical staff and personally, although the first few days were hard my recovery was quicker and easier than my natural birth. I was terrified about a spinal but I hardly even felt it, and they gave me sickness meds during the procedure when I needed them. I know every experience is different but for me C section would have been my choice if I had chosen to have any more children!

DramaAlpaca · 17/04/2020 15:52

I turned DC1 the old fashioned way by spending a couple of hours on my hands and knees scrubbing the kitchen floor. It may have been just a coincidence but baby flipped later that evening, it was the weirdest feeling ever.

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