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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

HELP - breech, big baby and ecv

21 replies

Bubandbump · 14/04/2011 15:26

I am 36+4 today and have been having growth scans every 2-4 weeks throughout the pregnancy. All throughout, the baby has been on the 95th percentile for every measurement, the last scan a week ago put the baby at 7llbs at that time.

The baby has been breech since 26 weeks and has never changed position, it has sometimes moved its legs in and out of my pelvis though.

I have just been to see the midwife (different every time) who expressed surprise as to why we haven't been referred for an ecv already. The last midwife said that they didn't worry about it until 37 weeks. We now have another scan on Monday (at 37 weeks) to be able to book an appointment with the consultant which will probably take about another week but she seemed to indicate that they might book us straight in for a cs. Does anyone know how successful ecv's are for first timers with large for dates baby?

The reason that I am concerned about this is that I don't think my dating scan was right as I thought I was 2 weeks ahead of where they estimated my due date (which would now make me 38+4 weeks) and the baby since the 20 week scan has been measuring consistent with my dates.

I have spent some time researching and at my particular hospital I wouldn't be comfortable with a vaginal breech birth due to the lack of experienced Midwives but I am really worried about the potential risks of going into labour with a breech baby and the risks of cord prolapse before I can get to the hospital.

Can anyone help? Sorry for the essay...

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CalmInsomniac · 14/04/2011 16:02

Sorry, it sounds like your baby is large for 36+4 but you actually think you are 38+4? It amazes me how the hospitals can blindly follow the scan dates and ignore all the other information which suggests different - i.e. that you think you are 2 weeks ahead and your baby is measuring too large for the scan dates... I mean duh...
Anyway, let's hypothesise you're 38+4. Your baby therefore isn't as large as you have been led to believe, and is in fact normal. You're well within the full term window so you could have your ecv straight away. The problem with an ecv is that if it doesn't work it can send the baby into distress and it has to be whipped out by c-section. So you want to make sure it's at term.
I think ecvs have a success rate of about 50%.
I really think you need to have a chat with your midwife about these extra two weeks! I mean, if you really are that far ahead you could go into labour anytime. Could you speak to someone on Monday? Would you be able to see a midwife/doctor then?

diyqueen · 14/04/2011 16:11

I had a breech baby too, though mine was a little one! Before I had her I spent hours on here and elsewhere reading up on ECVs, breech births etc. and went into a complete panic about the thought of a cs. From what I read there are people out there who have had big babies turned by ECV - though I think it works better if you've had a baby before. My ECV didn't work as the baby was too well wedged in, but I'm glad I tried. I had a cs 3 weeks ago - I insisted on waiting til 40 weeks as my gut feeling was that she wasn't ready to come out at 39 (I wasn't worried about cord prolapse though as she was bum first - think it's more of a risk if they're feet first). And it was fine. I was terrified waiting for it, it was all a bit surreal, but it got her into the world safely and all I felt afterwards was just overwhelming relief that she was OK. I really feel for you as I remember the stress of having a breech baby - I tried everything to turn her - but now she's here it all pales into insignificance. I'm sure if the hospital think there's any chance of cord prolapse they'll advise you and keep a close eye on you - and if you go into labour before a booked cs will have you in immediately for an emergency one. My baby's doing brilliantly now, she liked sticking her legs straight up in the air for the first couple of weeks which was very cute, but she came out well and healthy and it's all ended well for us. All the best!

Original poster

Bubandbump · 14/04/2011 16:17

Thanks CalmInsomniac - I tried to discuss it with the midwife today but she just wasn't interested and that the 12 week dating scans are the most accurate. She also said it would be something to discuss with the consultant when we get the appointment.

Up until now, I have not been too worried about it as thought the baby would turn of its own accord. However now that it looks like it is staying breech, I am worried about going into labour and having to have an emcs.

I think that we will just have to push really hard to get a consultant appointment as soon as possible after the scan on Monday and refuse to leave the hospital until we have seen someone. It's just that it's making me worry!

OP posts:

Original poster

Bubandbump · 14/04/2011 16:18

Thanks diyqueen - that's made me feel a bit better!

OP posts:

iloveholidays · 14/04/2011 16:54

Hi Bubandbump

I second what diyqueen has said, I too had a breech baby, a failed ECV. I was desperate for a natural birth as I had a really good one with DD1 and tried everything in an attempt to turn her. I had my ELCS booked for 39 weeks, but my waters broke at 37+4 so ended up with an EMCS. All went well and although it was classed as an emergency it was very calm and relaxed. My waters broke at midnight and DD2 was born at 2:22am!! It was actually quite a nice experience (in a weird way), but all that mattered what that DD2 was well.

DD2 was bum first so no concerns re cord prolapse, but I would ask your midwife and consultant whether its a risk for you.

Best of luck and be really positive about it.

mistlethrush · 14/04/2011 16:58

I know a friend went for accupuncture to see if she could get the baby to turn - whether it was that or not, the baby did turn.

confuddledDOTcom · 14/04/2011 17:22

Google spinning babies, I'd do a link but I'm mobile.

Babies can turn right up to and even when you're in labour, when your water has gone they're not likely to turn but until then they still have time.

Original poster

Bubandbump · 14/04/2011 17:36

Thanks all - I have been bum in the air wiggling for weeks, yoga, aqua natal, it just seems to want to stay where it is!

You have all made me feel much better though - if it decides to come 'early' and it has turned then great. Otherwise I guess I am lucky that the hospital is only a 10 minute drive away.

I just want my baby out safely!!! I guess we all feel like that though no matter how we plan the birth. And I used to think that the worrying started when they were born not the first day of pregnancy..

OP posts:

Twit · 14/04/2011 17:49

To add support re the scan dates; DS1 I thought was 4 weeks ahead of the scan dates, all the way through. I had all the 'symptoms' 4 weeks early and he was born on the date I had said all along at 6lb 12.
Same with DS2, and he was born at 38 weeks weighing 8lb5. By my reckoning he was just past 40 weeks.
Although they are usually right they aren't always.

confuddledDOTcom · 14/04/2011 18:12

Aqua could be keeping baby breech... need to do lots of underwater handstands to balance it!

Have you tried getting daddy to talk to baby? Get him to put his head on your lap and talk at where you want baby's head to be. Can also try a radio or music. Another one is to play with a small torch. Shine it high to get baby playing with it then move it down.

If it helps my youngest used to turn every time I was put on the monitor so you could find baby turns when you first get to hospital and they strap you up.

confuddledDOTcom · 14/04/2011 18:14

I'm ok twit, just don't get on with my computer much at the moment so don't get to sit and read and answer threads. I stick to easy ones.

Twit · 14/04/2011 18:20

Isn;t there an old wives tale that scrubbing floors on all fours can help? At the moment my LO is transverse so I may end up revisiting this thread

confuddledDOTcom · 14/04/2011 18:32

It's not an old wives tale (unfortunately?) It's good for OFP because it opens up the pelvis and encourages baby into the right position with the space to turn into it. Anything on all fours will help.

Pootletrinket · 14/04/2011 18:56

I had an ECV at 37 weeks with a similar sized baby to yours but am a second timer. That gives the ECV slightly better chance of success. However, mine was transverse so had stretched my uterus the wrong way, more chance of flopping back I was told.

I would ask about the specific consultant's rate of success, some are better than others.

I was told the risk of placental rupture and therefore ECV was less than 1 in 1000. The risk of cord going around neck depends on position and fluid, I was told. If there isn't good amount of fluid, they won't attempt it. They monitor baby for 30 mins after and this is the time when they could intervene again if baby goes into distress.

I was prepared to refuse drugs, but the consultant I saw rarely used them anyway, she relied on mther's ability to relax stomach (which she said I did a good job of :o) ) - she wrote this article, which I found reassuring and informative before I went in www.motherhood.org.uk/2normal220404.htm

I was told if they didn't want to do it due to risks, or it was unsuccessful, you could then book ELCS. If you went, heard all about it, but then didn't want to consent, you could either book ELCS or go back again later.

Good luck, HTH

Pootletrinket · 14/04/2011 18:57

Oh, I also tried moxibustion (knocked me out and stunk out the house - would go for smokeless again!), knee chest position, sticking bottom in the air, walking on all 4's, swimming - front crawl and handstands - at least 5 but our pool wasn't really deep enough, visualisation - but heard hypnobirthing might have been a good option, too.

confuddledDOTcom · 14/04/2011 20:20

Oh I forgot peas! Put an ice pack on baby's head, they move away from the cold (who wouldn't if they had ice put on their head?) Obviously wrap it first and no more than 10 minutes at a time.

gallicgirl · 14/04/2011 20:40

Just to reassure you, I had a successful ECV at 39 weeks but my baby was fairly average sized (1st timer). The success rate is a bit lower than 50% for first babies and the risk of needing EMCS at point of ECV is very low - I think less than 1% of the top of my head.

Good luck and i hope your birth goes well.

Elsjas · 14/04/2011 20:47

I had a successful ECV at 37/38 weeks with my first baby. Not sure of the weight of the baby at the time but she was on the 80th percentile for weight when born on due date, so quite a big one. For me, ECV was uncomfortable rather than painful and I'm glad that I gave it a go. Hope all goes well for you.

Original poster

Bubandbump · 14/04/2011 21:12

Thanks so much for all your messages - I will give all of the above a go!

I am also happy to have the ecv, just the midwife implied it wouldn't be successful at this size but as long as the consultant is experienced, I am willing to try.

We've just been through so much with this pregnancy with hyperemesis and a one in two probability for chromosome abnormality (which came back clear in the end) that I was hoping this bit would be straight forward..sorry winge over!

OP posts:

NoseyNooNoo · 14/04/2011 22:57

HypnoBirthing would be worth a try although you would need to do it soon. Try: www.hynobirthing.co.uk/hypnobirthing_classes.shtml to find someone near you if you're interested.

chloeb2002 · 14/04/2011 23:00

I decided against an ec as dd wa in the 85th centile and id had a previous cs and aph.. but in the right circumstamces id ahve done it. DD actually turned between leaving the warsd where they had ultra sounded and getting opened up! very entertaining... however no regrets as she had a large squashed head and my obs consultant felt she would have been stuck trying to get out otherwise, was forceps cs... so im glad i went down that route.She was 9 lb 3 oz at 39 weeks . next time ( last and final time) I will have another elscs but will aim for as close to 40 weeks as i felt even given her soze she was a little under done.

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