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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
FoxFriend · 17/04/2020 16:02

My SIL had one and it wasn’t successful, she said it was uncomfortable but not painful. IIRC they’re successful about half the time? I think it depends how important avoiding a C Section is to you as to whether it’s worth trying. There are risks and benefits associated with both procedures.

Theyweretheworstoftimes · 17/04/2020 16:07

I had this done at 40 weeks. The pain is barbaric. It didn't work. Doctors tried and in the end my husband had to ask them to stop.

The after effects were really bad for me. I was violently sick for hours afterwards and in pain.

I was sent home from hospital with instructions to keep my legs crossed and hope I would make it to my planned c section at 40 +5.

I didn't make it. Baby came at 40+ 3. EMCS that 18 months later I am still trying to recover from.

Merryoldgoat · 17/04/2020 16:17

I’ve had two sections - first EMCS after failed induction, second elective.

I found the anaesthetic the worst part, feels very odd going in.

I had some complications during the first but that was after a very long induction procedure and enormous 5kg baby.

Second was textbook and I was out next day (and another big baby).

I found it was a really uncomfortable week and then I improved very quickly. Both times I was feeling pretty normal by 6 weeks.

Small wound infection after the first but I went straight to the walk in centre and they gave me very good antibiotics.

No infection the second time.

Advice:

Under no circumstances allow yourself to become constipated or backed up - lactulose and Fybogel are your friends.

Take a fan - the rooms are unbelievably warm.

Don’t skimp on babygros in hospital - I think I got through 10 in two days owing to a very refluxy baby.

Merryoldgoat · 17/04/2020 16:18

@Theyweretheworstoftimes

Why did they attempt ECV if you were having a section anyway?!

XylophoneSymphony · 17/04/2020 16:20

I would never have this procedure done. Very often there is a reason a baby is in a certain position

Brogley · 17/04/2020 16:20

I read it as "the ECV didn't work so they booked me in for a planned section" rather than she already had a section booked for the ECV.

EveLevine · 17/04/2020 16:24

I had one at 38 weeks for transverse baby, because I was on heparin injections and consultant felt ECV was safer than a section for me.

It was really quick, hurt like hell for about 90 seconds while they did it, but no pain afterwards, and thankfully baby stayed facing down.

Mia1415 · 17/04/2020 16:27

I had an ECV. It failed. It was honestly the most painful experience of my life. It really, really hurt. They tried to move my DS twice and on the third attempt I had to ask them to stop as I couldn't cope with the pain.

I then had to wait for DS's heartbeat to show as stable on the monitor for I think either 30mins or an hour. And I wasn't allowed anything to eat or drink (in case I needed an emergency C-section). DS kept moving which interrupted the monitor. I ended up being stuck like this for 8 hours! In the end I was practically begging for water.

I definitely wouldn't have another one.

I ended up having a planned C-section which was amazing.

Obviously everyone's experience is different, but I definitely wouldn't have another ECV.

waterjungle · 17/04/2020 16:29

My first was breech from about 30 weeks, I also had an anterior placenta.
They gave my the choice of attempting an ECV or opting for an EC straight away. I had got my head around having a vaginal birth and paid a load of money for hypno birthing so thought I would let them try.
As it happened he wouldn't budge. I had done years of reformer pilates before getting pregnant and the doctor attempting it asked if I was a yoga teacher as she couldn't get a grip on DS because my stomach muscles were too strong! She said she just couldn't get a grip on him.
She also said the chances were he would flip back.
The drugs they give you to prepare relax the muscles of you womb and made me feel very flumpy! The day me in a chair in a cubicle afterwards and I couldn't hold myself up in the chair.
DS ended up being an EC as did second DS!

Cheeseismylife · 17/04/2020 16:30

I haven't rtft but look at the spinning babies website OP.
The exercises worked to turn both of mine.

Mia1415 · 17/04/2020 16:30

Sorry, I just saw you asked about C-sections also.

Mine was absolutely fine. I did loose a lot of blood and nearly needed a transfusion, but luckily didn't. I recovered really quickly as well. I was standing on the dining room table hanging up Christmas cards about a week after having DS (which I wouldn't recommend). I didn't find the pain too bad at all.

amazedmummy · 17/04/2020 16:33

OP I had an ELCS in November. It was great. My first baby too.

Went in early (about 6:30 if I remember correctly). Met some other mums in our little ward. They took me down at about 9:30. Placing the spinal was a bit uncomfortable. DS was born at 10:02. Skin to skin in theatre so the rest of the op flew by as I was just staring at him. DH in theatre with us.
Slight delay getting me up to postnatal as there wasn't a bed but we were up before dinner. Out of bed that night which was uncomfortable more than horribly painful. Would have been out the next day but I needed help with breastfeeding so was out the day after that.
My milk took 5 days to come in and I didn't get a whole lot of support once I was out. Ended up readmitted and finally opted to bottle feed but I have no idea if that would have happened with a vaginal delivery as he's my first.
I stopped needing painkillers after a week. Felt able to do everything I could before by about week 2. Doctor signed me off to drive at 6 weeks. If I ever have another I will definitely have another section.
P.S. I opted for my section because DS was big.

waterjungle · 17/04/2020 16:36

Oh and make sure they scan you before attempting. I had a consultant showing me how my baby had turned the right way up. He carefully pointed out the shape of his head, then decided to do one last check. He had spent the last 10 minutes pointing out the facial features of my babies arse. It turns out this is quite easy to do as the just look for a large round mass.
It also meant that my DS has forever been known as Baby Bumface!

ForeverBubblegum · 17/04/2020 17:00

I had a EMCS with my first, and had wanted to try for a VBAC with second, but baby had other ideas. DD changed between breach and transverse, but never turned head down. If I'd want they could have tried to turn her, but the odds if it working vs the risk didn't add up for me, so opted for ELCS.

If you do end up with a section, try not to worry, it was a surprisingly positive experience. You a d birth partner get changed and walk down to theater, they put the spinal in (feels weird but doesn't hurt) then put the screen up over your tummy. You feel some pulling and moving around but no actual pain, then they lower screen slightly so you can see baby been pulled out (this is optional). They cut the cord and give baby a quick check, then on to you for cuddles while they sew you up.

After surgery you go to recovery for an hour or so, they monitor you, give you a drink and help with breastfeeding (if you are). Then back to your room or ward (depends on hospital) for lunch and more cuddles. About 4 hours later the feeling returns to your legs enough to get up and have a shower, then I went home about lunchtime the next day. I took paracetamol and ibrufin for a few weeks then was fine.

Liland · 17/04/2020 17:21

I had 1 for Frank breech at 38 weeks (they didnt realise until then despite my lopsided ness and complaints), didnt want people thinking I'd 'copped out' on a natural birth. It was not nice, 3 attempts and all failed, baby had high heartbeat at the end of all the attempts and I managed to be sick on myself, while hanging upside down having not eaten for 24 hours. Had a section the next week. If I'm lucky enough to have another, I'll just opt for a section straight away.

Original poster
ChocolateQuiltedShitPig · 17/04/2020 17:21

@Theyweretheworstoftimes when you say recovering, do you mean physically or mentally?

Thanks again for the replies. I really hope he turns. I'm so nervous about the birth anyway, without this added worry x

OP posts:
Piglet89 · 17/04/2020 17:28

I was in this position back in August OP. My consultant at St Thomas’s in London mentioned the possibility of a turning procedure if I wanted a natural labour, but I got the distinct sense from him that he wasn’t keen to do it and it does come with risks. I didn’t hesitate to go straight to ELCS.

My friend from NCT was in the same position and she really wanted a natural birth so she underwent the procedure and it was successful.

It depends on what’s important to you, but the risks far outweighed the benefits for me. I do but regret my decision.

Piglet89 · 17/04/2020 17:30

@amazedmummy our experiences sound very similar, particularly with regard to amount of time it took for milk to come in and end decision to FF.

If I ever have another (unlikely, for various reasons) I will want another ELCS. Many of my friends who are older mothers ended up having EMCS anyway so might as well cut out the middle man.

Piglet89 · 17/04/2020 17:31

I do NOT* regret my decision.

Theyweretheworstoftimes · 17/04/2020 17:32

@merryoldgoat they wouldn't offer me a section until after they did ECV

BrutusMcDogface · 17/04/2020 17:33

I declined because something told me it wouldn’t be a good idea....instinct (plus research into the risks!) my baby was unstable right to the end, and had a true knot in his cord so I think it was the right choice for us. I think even if they had managed to move him, he’d have just flipped back.

ThePlantsitter · 17/04/2020 17:38

I was booked in for ECV twice. The first time I had some acupuncture (moxybustion) the day before and the baby turned; the second I had the anaesthetic in preparation but the registrar was called away for an hour and when she came back the baby had turned.

I would recommend acupuncture though I don't suppose you'll be able to attend anywhere right now - you can buy the sticks (moxasticks) though and try yourself. It's v weird, just burning things by your little toes, but it can't hurt and might help- you should tell your midwife you're going to try it.

MrsSnitchnose · 17/04/2020 17:39

Nothing to add, but reading this has made me realise my DS's birth was quite unusual and I was really quite lucky.

He arrived at 35 weeks, footling breech. They mentioned the words 'emergency section' and I went into a panic. In the end, consultant just turned him as he came out, didn't hurt and no tears

Theyweretheworstoftimes · 17/04/2020 17:39

@chocolatequiltedshitpig. Both I had horrific PND and PTSD which I was only recently brave enough to get treatment for, my child is now 18 months old.

Physically took about 17 months to recover I still have a lot of pain.

I will not have any other children.

You will find everyone has a different experience some are good some are bad.

Merryoldgoat · 17/04/2020 22:00

@Theyweretheworstoftimes

I‘m so sorry you had to go through all of that. It’s barbaric.

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