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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

ECV or C-Section for transverse baby

62 replies

MrsJLee123 · 21/04/2021 19:46

34 weeks pregnant with baby in transverse position. Having another scan at 36 weeks and if baby hasn’t moved - I have to decide on ECV or C-Secrion. From what I’ve read so far, the complications that could occur from ECV have terrified me, and I feel like if baby is in this position, she’s in it for a reason. Has anyone got any experience of this dilemma??

OP posts:
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 21/04/2021 19:49

I personally think that a elective c section can be the safest option, especially for the baby. Yes it’s overall more risky than a V birth, but it’s many times safer than an emergency C section.

Merryoldgoat · 21/04/2021 19:53

Personally I’d take the ELCS but baby may yet turn?

How big is the baby? Have you had prior births?

Babies can and do turn until very late on. Even a successful ECV is not guaranteed to be a permanent move and it can be very uncomfortable.

Thatisnotwhatisaid · 21/04/2021 19:56

My Dad was transverse in the 60s and my Nan declined the ECV because she said it was barbaric. She had an ELCS and all was fine. I’ve had two ELCS’s and they were great, I’d go for that personally.

Original poster
MrsJLee123 · 21/04/2021 19:59

She was 5lb 1oz at the scan yesterday. She is my third. Both previous pregnancies (19 & 12 years ago), were fine - both heads I position very early and stayed there. I’m hoping consultant is being careful and she turns, but I want to go to the next appointment with as much information as possible incase she hasn’t and I need to make a decision.

OP posts:
RedheadReadsReddit · 21/04/2021 20:00

Had an ECV for breech baby at 39 weeks. She got stuck during birth and I ended up with a crash section. Wish I'd just gone for the ELCS in retrospect!

Original poster
MrsJLee123 · 21/04/2021 20:02

Barbaric is exactly what I thought when I read about it.

OP posts:
Hopeislost · 21/04/2021 20:03

ELCS all the way - ECV can be dangerous and often doesn't work anyway. I agree with your Nan, when I was offered it I thought it sounded horrendous!

bathorshower · 21/04/2021 20:04

DD was transverse, I had ECV. It wasn't particularly unpleasant (especially when compared with the rest of pregnancy!). The consultant did turn her successfully, but she turned back that evening.

I was then admitted to hospital for the last 10 days of pregnancy just in case I went in to labour - you might want to check whether they'll do that with you. This was pre Covid though.

girlrunningoncheese · 21/04/2021 20:04

100% ELCS for me. I had an ECV and it was incredibly uncomfortable and a bit traumatic - baby's heartbeat kept dropping and my consultant stopped after 3 attempts. I can genuinely say the CS was the preferable procedure!!
I was glad I'd attempted the ECV but wouldn't do it again, if I had another breech baby.

Original poster
MrsJLee123 · 21/04/2021 20:04

Oh my goodness - everything seems to be pointing to me going with my gut and avoiding the ECV! I hope all turned out ok for you in the end!

OP posts:
Mrswalliams1 · 21/04/2021 20:11

A friend's baby died after being turned as the cord got wrapped round it's neck. ELCS would be my choice

2021mumma · 21/04/2021 20:14

I had a transverse baby and my own research for the ECV showed 50% worked and of the 50% turned back, the complications too put me of so I had elective csection. On day of section he turned again but head was in hip. I tried reflexology and acupuncture to try and make him move but nothing worked.

Merryoldgoat · 21/04/2021 20:16

Also my breech baby turned repeatedly between 37 and 39 weeks.

I had an pre op scan at 38+5 and he was breech. Ceph on the operating table 2 days later.

Even if it had worked at 38 on the day he’d have spun back because he’s a contrary little bugger.

Original poster
MrsJLee123 · 21/04/2021 20:16

That’s horrendous, your poor friend! I had read a case where someone had attempted ECV which failed and when the baby was born by c-section the cord was around the neck 4 times - which is why they said he had staying breach - that was what made me think if she is in the wrong position, maybe there is a reason for it and she needs to stay that way.

OP posts:
TurquoiseDress · 21/04/2021 20:19

Elective CS

YouWerePrettyIWasLonely · 21/04/2021 20:20

Swaying and rocking on all fours can sometimes encourage a baby to move into position but I would not have the ECV personally.

PamDenick · 21/04/2021 20:22

OR: try reflexology and other methods to turn the baby (there used to be a website called spinning babies??)

I'm the least woo person ever but reflexology did the trick to turn my little gymnast...

ImFree2doasiwant · 21/04/2021 20:23

My first dc was breech. I chose elcs. My mum had several attempts at ecv with my brother, years ago. He kept turning back. He was born, vaginally, breech, with the cord tightly round his neck and suffered brain damage.

There was a thread on here , I read it more than 6 yrs ago. Someone had the ecv, went home. Felt things weren't right. Went back that evening. Baby had died, since the ecv .

BrumBoo · 21/04/2021 20:24

For myself, I always wanted to avoid any sort of intervention (induction, turning, c-section), but I'd absolutely choose a section over a forced turning as a personal choice. I'm nearing the end of my 3rd pregnancy without that needing to be a choice, but I wouldn't consider a ECV at all.

TheFoz · 21/04/2021 20:25

@MrsJLee123 my third, now 7 weeks old was found to be transverse at 38+3. I’m in Ireland and they don’t do ECV’s beyond 37 weeks. I was admitted to hospital on the day as the worry was that my waters would break and the cord would prolapse. Baby did not change position and I had a section 3 days later. Oddly baby had been head engaged the week before and was a big baby but still must have had plenty of room to turn.

It’s an individual choice but I wouldn’t be keen on the ECV, it is risky. In saying that a section is no walk in the park, it was the full 6 weeks before I felt normal and it did take a little longer for my milk to come in. Make sure you have plenty of help and support around.

My kids also have the same age gaps as yours, they are 19 and 12!

If I can be of any help ask away 😊

PamDenick · 21/04/2021 20:25

Yup - take a read of this website:

spinningbabies.com

littlepeas · 21/04/2021 20:26

My third dc moved position a lot late on in pregnancy - I think because my muscles were much more stretched and he was able to get around fairly easily. He moved to breech on the day I had him at 39 weeks. So you could find that your baby moves back anyway. I’d take the section - I’ve had an elective and it was very calm and still very special.

WalkingDownTheStreet · 21/04/2021 20:26

C-section.

2021mumma · 21/04/2021 20:48

I was also kept in hospital 3 nights before section due to worry about cord prelapse this was precovid also

boydy99 · 21/04/2021 20:57

I would go ELCS. My little boy was transverse at 36+3 when he had a growth scan. I was scanned again at 36+6 and if he was still transverse I was going to be admitted and then have an ELCS at 39 weeks. However he had turned and gone head down so all good. I ended up with a cat1 emcs under GA after an awful and long induction, and then he turned from head down to breech while the surgeons were trying to get him out. none of the midwives believed me but its in my notes twice Grin once from surgeon and once from midwife who was with me