ECV- opinions??

[Leilababyno1]

Hi there,

1st Baby is breech at the moment, so just having a think about the possible prospect of an ECV in case she doesnt turn in time.

I know there is some 'for and against' on this topic, so would appreciate some opinions from ladies who have had this procedure done??

Thanks!

I had it done.

It was excruciating and I had to have morphine. However, that was mainly due to my awful SPD and backpain. I was in so much pain that from 32 wks my MW had to take my word for it that baby was breech (I was right).

With 2 older children I was desperate to avoid a section as I felt the recovery would be so much worse.

It worked and a week later ds was induced.

Most of all, if dc4 refuses to behave this summer I'd do it again.

I'm in a similar situation, and have been booked for an ECV this Thursday when I'll be 37 weeks. I have felt the baby's head under my ribs for weeks now. If it doesn't work (been told 50/50 chance) I'll be booked for a c-section at 39 weeks.
Personally I want to avoid a c-section if possible so think it's worth a try. The consultant said baby is monitored throughout and it's fine to eat and drink beforehand as risk of EmCS so low. Don't know yet how painful I'll find it so can update you after!

I had this done last month with DD. It was unsuccessful and I had to have a c section.

I'd actually decided against having it but allowed the consultant to talk me into trying it.

Sorry to tell you that it was absolute agony. And it set off contractions.

Whether you try it or not depends on how strongly you feel about having a section.

How many weeks are you? If you can get hold of a book called breech birth by Benna Waites, there is some very good information in there regarding ECV. I would ask for success rates for the consultant who will be performing the procedure, if they are poor then it may be worth a referal to another unit if there is a consultant with much better rates of success.

I personally decided not to have an ECV for my breech presenting baby, I did try moxibustion and although it failed I did not end with an EMLSCS (which an ECV almost certainly would have as she had her cord three times round her neck, three times round her abdomen and then fully wrapped around her legs, with a true knot in it!).

I had a ECV a week ago - which failed, unfortunately - as I was desperate to avoid a c-section. I'm glad I tried it though. It was painful at times, and I had to work hard to relax my tummy and not resist the pressure of the doctor's hands, but it was bearable and would have been well worth it if it worked. They monitor the baby for a good while before and after and use ultrasound while they're doing it - my baby went a bit 'quiet' for half an hour afterwards, but then got back to normal - they kept me on the monitor til they were happy. I think I knew beforehand that it was unlikely to work - the baby's backside is so well wedged in, I can't feel it from the outside and sure enough they couldn't get it out of my pelvis either. But definitely worth a try. The doctor and midwife who were there for mine were really kind and kept checking I was OK during it. Hope your baby turns, I have every sympathy if you're worrying about it as I have been for weeks now.

Thanks for the opinions ladies..

I am surprised it can be so painful though..not a happy prospect.

Hopefully she will turn of her own accord in time!

Hope so . My reasoning was that a bit of short-lived pain would be far preferable to (and completely insignificant compared to) weeks of c-section recovery - don't let the fear of pain put you off, you can always ask them to stop at any time if it's too much. And for me, it wasn't so bad, so it's not awful for everyone. I think you have to be 100% behind it and be prepared for a bit of discomfort - if you're going for it reluctantly or have been talked into it it probably feels worse.

I I havev herard anecdotally that those babies that are going to turn, usually do so quite easily and with little pain (ie if they have to try very hard it is unlikely to be successful)
Hope all goes well.
S

I had an ECV for dd1. It was very uncomfortable rather than painful. Worked first time and I went on to have a vaginal delivery exactly on her due date. Mine was a very positive experience.

I had an ECV 6 years ago with DD2 at 38 weeks. It was uncomfortable rather than painful and well worth doing. Mine was successful and DD2 was born at 39 weeks naturally. Mine was a very positive experience, performed by a Consultant, who was lovely and said she would stop at any time I wanted for me to catch my breath/have a breather.

It's a very low risk procedure and there's a 50/50 chance it will work, they monitor you before and afterwards to make sure the baby isn't distressed, to me it's a no brainer.

I was desperate to avoid a c-section, so anything is worth trying.

The consultant who did mine 6 years ago said she'd been doing at least 2 per week for 14 years and she'd never had to deliver a baby yet by EMCS as a direct result of the ECV. Pretty good stats by anyone's standards I think.

The biggest risk is that the baby can turn back, but apparently if they're going to, they usually do it straightaway, so you'd know before you left the hospital.

I'm having another ECV this Friday with DC4, fingers crossed my experience is the same as it was 6 years ago. I'm even more determined to avoid a c-section now as I have 3 other DC to look after and it will be the Easter holidays!

Good luck

I had ecv with my ds1,found to be breach at 40 weeks.

They said they could almost guarantee it would be unsuccessful,but worth an attempt.

He turned first time,no pain whatsoever,bit uncomfortable and he was a largeish baby 8pounds5.