ECV or C-Section for transverse baby

[MrsJLee123]

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??

My first transverse baby turned on his own some time after 36 weeks , in don’t know when as I didn’t feel it.

Second transverse baby i had ECV which was uncomfortable but not agony. I had it as i didn't want a CS if i could avoid it. But ended up with one anyway as they refused to induce me until I was more than 2 weeks late and by that time baby was too big.

ELCS. My youngest was breech with her bottom engaged then flipped to transverse.

At birth they discovered that she was stuck and would never have gone head down, had to use forceps to "free" her during an otherwise very gentle CS so I'm glad we made the call as #1 was an Emergency CS and I didn't want to do that again!

We had successful ECV at 37 weeks. I looked at the risks and stats of ECV and C section, they were comparable but I wanted to avoid the long recovery and the scar. The procedure was very uncomfortable but not painful, we were well monitored and felt safe. Both mine and baby’s heart rate was monitored and they kept checking on the baby’s position on ultrasound. We were told that if the baby doesn’t move easily, they would not force it but it turned under a minute and stayed that way.

Oblique breech here - was never offered ECV as I had vasa praevia and had already had a small abruption at 29 weeks. ELCS was totally fine, would choose it over VB in the future.

Baby could turn yet OP. My DC was transverse for much of the pregnancy. I ended up giving birth at 36 weeks long story leading up to it but the night before they were born they were transverse I was due to be induced 2 days later but was already in verrrry slow labour, I decided that I didn't want ECV so the decision was to have a ELCS instead of induction and an emergency csection if things quickly as I was already an inpatient under close monitoring anyway. As luck would have it the following day (day before induction) things started to ramp up but baby had turned head down and was born naturally.

ELCS. I was planning one anyway after a very relaxed EMCS on DD1. DD2 was transverse pretty much the whole way through, but weirdly they never seemed bothered as I was having a section anyway.

One the day, they surgical team didn't know she was transverse. Don't know if that would have changed things, but then they opened me up they could only get at her back and so couldn't get her out (she was 9lb 12oz and I'm small which didn't help). They had to do a vertical incision in my uterus as well as the horizontal one so that they could turn her and deliver her from a breech position.

There's no way an ECV would've worked, so I'm glad it was never mentioned!

Thank you so much for all of your replies. It has put my mind at rest. I will let you know what happens.

I was in this exact situation with DD2. I decided that I would choose a c-section rather than ECV, due to the low success rate and possible complications. I was also considering a breech vaginal birth, depending on what the scan showed of her position (not if she was footling breech for example).

Luckily I felt her flip at 36 weeks, the day before my scan. I went to the scan just in case I was wrong but she had turned and I ended up having a normal birth. Fingers crossed the same happens for you

I spent a lot of time looking into this and was going to opt for the ELCS but luckily my baby turned at 37 weeks. I felt that ECV was too risky for a low success rate. And I would never forgive myself if something bad happened. ELCS seemed much more controlled.

I could tell when my baby turned, was such a strange sensation. Look up spinning babies and try all the techniques and exercises to turn the baby naturally.

Apologies, my baby was thought to be breech, not transverse

Just an update incase it helps anyone in the future who reads this thread.

38 weeks she was still transverse but I was admitted to hospital due to high Blood Pressure.

The next day she flipped so they tried to induce me - this didn’t work and by the day after she had flipped transverse again.

As they had attempted to start me off, I couldn’t go home and instead had to have an emergency c section.

I saw differing consultants in my hospital all with differing opinions - some saying ‘we just need to get this baby out safe by section now’ as others saying ‘let’s try ECV’ (which I did not want).

My hospital journey was a long one and I won’t bore you with the details but If I were ever in this situation again - I would say ‘Please book me in for an elective C-Section’ and hear no more about it.

Baby girl was born safe and sound via C-section at 38 +4.

Congratulations!!
I’m sorry your hospital stay was long and difficult, but very glad baby made it out safely.