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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

ECV

31 replies

scaryfairy28 · 26/04/2011 10:28

Back to hospital on Thursday to see if baby is still breech if she is I have to decide if I want an ECV. I'm hopeful all the acupuncture, kneeling and froozen peas will have paid off and the top of my bump doesnt feel as hard as it did but would be good to hear other people experiences before deciding in case in hasnt worked.

OP posts:

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buttonmoon78 · 26/04/2011 13:37

To be brutally honest I'd say it depends on how much you're trying to avoid a section.

I had it done at 37weeks. It was successful and I said I was glad I'd had it done. Now I'm 26 weeks again, I'm not so sure.

It hurt like hell. I had morphine as the pain was terrible.

Please bear in mind though that others describe it as a little uncomfortable. And I did have monster SPD, so that didn't help!

Thinking about it, perhpas that's what's putting me off. If it was just simply lots of pressure, pushing and shoving, that would probably be ok. It's just that I was in such pain anyway.

I've possibly not helped at all! Hopefully someone more positive will be along soon!

ExpatAgain · 26/04/2011 13:39

had it and didn't hurt at all! V uncomfortable for a couple of seconds, but no more. think buttonmoon must have been v unlucky

Leilababyno1 · 26/04/2011 13:49

Don't want to worry you, it's a very personal decision and I am sure you have done all your research on the pros/cons of the ECV procedere....

BUT was chatting to one of my NCT buddies today as she is booked in for an elective c-section next week for breech presention. She is Brazilian and said that in Brazil the ECV procedere was eradicated over 30 years ago, due to it being deemed too stressful for the baby?

Might be worth getting a couple of second opinions from some healthcare professionals before making your decision?

Good-luck with whatever you end up going for!...I know it can be really hard when the doctors leave it up to us to make big choices regarding our birth options.

Leilababyno1 · 26/04/2011 13:50

Sorry, meant 'procedure'...

buttonmoon78 · 26/04/2011 14:05

I was unlucky Expat. As I said, there were mitigating factors which made mine hurt a lot.

It fell out of favour here too Leila for similar reasons. Nowadays (IME) they scan very thoroughly before beginning to ensure that the cord is nowhere it shouldn't be, and rescan after the procedure. They also monitor for about an hour after to ensure that the baby is not distressed at all and to monitor in case in triggers any ctx.

It is safe, and in a country where if a baby is breech then the default position is to offer a section, then it's a good thing, to help bring section rates down.

If my experience had been like Expat's then I would not think twice about having it done again. I was never concerned about the baby - simply about the pain it caused me!

Leilababyno1 · 26/04/2011 14:15

Apparently though, they can't be completely sure that the cord isn't around the neck from scanning. This is what the consultant said to my NCT mate the other day, when she pushed him for an answer.

I am sure this procedure is as safe as it can be though, and I know it's a viable option for most people to help avoid a c-section, which of course has its own risks too. Nothing is ever 100% safe though is it?!

We just do the research, ask questions, and do what we think is best!

Just might be something to think about...

Original poster

scaryfairy28 · 26/04/2011 18:38

Thanks for the advice, still really not sure what to do. The control freek in me wants to avoid the longer recovery with a CS, but then part of me thinks what better way to be in control than to have an exact date in the diary and know it should all go to my plan, compared to my other plan of waterbirth and TENs which could obviously change at any time. Anyway I'm hopeful baby has turned herself with the help of acupuncture, ice and kneeling. Bump definately not as hard as it it was but trying not to get my hopes up!!

OP posts:

ExpatAgain · 27/04/2011 06:43

you're not being a control freak to want to avoid a major op! Unless it's necessary, of course. ECV is current practice is this country and is done v v carefully with full scanning, monitoring etc. 30 yrs ago wouldn't have been the technology to enable it to be as safe as it is now. I'd talk carefully to your consultant and trust her to have yr/the baby's best interests at heart..

buttonmoon78 · 27/04/2011 07:10

Hear hear. It really is a 'safe' procedure. I guess they have to say they can't guarantee 100% this or that, but in the same way that they can't guarantee that in a perfectly natural, normal delivery everything goes right 100% of the time.

I was happy that the scanning was very careful and that we were both monitored afterwards for a good while.

I did it prescisely so I could avoid a major op. I think that if I'm in the same situation I prob would do it again, but with more anticipation! Really and truly I do not want a section - I've 3 other kids, how on earth would I live my life without driving

I hope all this is academic really. I hope you go tomorrow and get told that baby is head down and good to go. BUT if not, do what you feel is best. It will be fine.

MayDayChild · 27/04/2011 07:23

Ask who is doing EVC then ask what their personal success rate is. Not the hospitals but the actual person doing it. Some docs seem to have excellent rates. Mine was actually only 20% and not the supposed 80% published.
I don't know anyone (10 ish friends and family) who had a successful turn.
I refused it as they offered gas and air at the same time as telling me it doesn't hurt. WTF?
they were fine with my refusal.

buttonmoon78 · 27/04/2011 07:34

Good point MayDay - success rates do vary. Not the safety rates, but whether it will or won't turn.

Although I find it a bit that you refused a procedure because it might have entailed gas and air so that you could potentially go on to give birth with gas and air but instead chose to have an operation where an epidural and morphine are pretty routine!

Although, I'm making a gross assumption there that you had a section and didn't give birth vaginally to a breech baby. If you did then hats off to you and to me...

MayDayChild · 27/04/2011 07:43

This was 2nd pregnancy first was hell on earth vaginal delivery. My section was not fun and games and I got an infection. But I absolutely knew baby was not going to shift. He hadn't moved since 20 weeks. And I also knew he would be early ( earlier than doc booked section for)! Total gut instinct proved right. Wouldn't have made ECV date either!
Trying to say OP go with your gut instinct.
I think yours is saying I dont want section whereas mine was bring it on!

buttonmoon78 · 27/04/2011 07:49

I have babies like that too. They get comfy about 20 weeks and settle there. I'm convinced this one is breech and that I'm therefore in for a choice over what to do. MW is yet she was last time too. As it's #4 I feel like I'm beginning to know how my body (and the lodgers within) behave!

I think your last sentence is perfectly true. I would hate to have a section. But that is my choice as it was yours to have one. And, fwiw, I do not in any way participate in the whole 'down on sections' mentality that seems to be so prevalent... (just in case you felt that!) I just know that for me VD is better as I'm up and about within hours. If you had a bad experience then I can quite easily understand your preference!

diyqueen · 27/04/2011 12:04

I had an ECV that didn't work - my baby couldn't be moved - but I'm glad i tried it. It was painful at times but not unbearable, and they monitored the baby well before and after, and used the scanner while trying to turn her. The doctor told me that ecvs work better on people who have had a baby before - she is my first. I was gutted to have to have a cs but it was actually fine, was able to do some housework after a week and was driving after 3 - this depends on your insurance co i think, i phoned mine and they said i could drive whenever i felt ready.

MrsJamin · 27/04/2011 14:12

Had an ECV at 39+5 with my first (so was most likely not to work) and it was very painful, the G&A didn't touch it. They got DS1 to diagonal only and said it would hurt even more if they continued, so we stopped. 8 hours later I went into labour so my advice would be: have it, then you can say to yourself that you gave a natural birth a try. Try and find out how successful the particular consultant is who is going to do it. Most importantly have your bag totally packed and in the boot of the car as you may need a c-section if the baby gets too distressed or like me it kicked off labour. Good luck for turning - let us know how it goes.

gallicgirl · 27/04/2011 15:37

I had successful ECV at 39 weeks and it was uncomfortable but manageable. It was certainly worth it as I then got my home birth.

I was worried about the reasons why the baby was breach and I was told that if the cord was too short then the baby just wouldn't turn and there wouldn't be any risk to her. As it turned out the cord was short but not too short IYKWIM. I think the risk of going into premature labour during an ECV is less than 1% so definitely worth the effort I think.

violetwellies · 27/04/2011 21:09

Sorry to but in on someone elses thread, my baby currently 36 weeks has been breach since 20 weeks. As I'm older and 1st baby Im consultant lead, last month the cons. explained that because of my age, fibroid and small bleed @ 20 weeks risk to baby too high for ECV, and he would book me in. for a ceasar next time (today)
Today different consultant said no Ceasar, ECV. WTF?
I got very tearful after, midwife says I can refuse ECV but ifI thought there was no risk would already be trying alternatives.

Original poster

scaryfairy28 · 27/04/2011 22:55

Thanks guys have my appointment tomorrow and have my list of questions. I'm still undecided baby has been doing a lot of moving about think due to moxobustion so am thinking if she's not turned which I don't think she has maybe there's a reason. But will keep an open mind and see what they say!
Violet don't worry about jumping in the more the merrier.

OP posts:

fruitpastille · 27/04/2011 23:05

Tried it first time (along with moxibustion etc etc), not pleasant but wasn't for long. Didn't work, section was fine.

Just going to add - take a snack with you for after - I was almost faint with hunger as wasn't allowed to eat in case of emergency op.

Original poster

scaryfairy28 · 29/04/2011 11:55

Baby is bum down extended breech with feet in front of face which they say makes it harder for them to turn, I think she's jammed but the consultant has persuaded me to give the ECV a go, he was really good and explained it all fully. He'll try twice and then give up and book me for a section.

OP posts:

gallicgirl · 29/04/2011 12:13

Hope it goes well. Concentrate on the breathing and you'll get through it. Good advice on the snacks by the way.
I got a sandwich and a cup of tea but had to wait a while for that. Luckily I had a Double Decker in my bag :)

Original poster

scaryfairy28 · 29/04/2011 13:18

No ones told me anything about not eating before it. I'm not going till 2pm should I not eat lunch?

OP posts:

gallicgirl · 29/04/2011 13:20

really????

I think you can't eat or drink for 6 hours, possibly longer. Basically you prepare as if you were going to have an operation, just in case you have to have an EMCS and an anaesthetic. Have they given you pre-meds to take? They were very specific with the timings of when to take the tablets.

iloveholidays · 29/04/2011 14:33

I had my ECV in the morning (had to be in hospital for 8am) and was told not to have any breakfast.

I would check with your midwife.

Good luck - hope it is successful. If not, then keep positive - a c-section can be a really positive experience. I was in tears all afternoon when my ECV wasn't successful but my c-section was actually quite enjoyable (in a weird way!) :)

Good luck

Ushy · 29/04/2011 14:59

Don't know if this helps but I saw a study in work the other day that said that if you have an epidural the ECV success rate is 79% versus 56% without epidural. Here is the study www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20485361

ECV is worth it if vaginal delivery is important to you but I would get a precise estimate of how likely it is to lead to a successful vaginal delivery. It is worth a go if the likelihood is high but (speaking from personal experience of an elective c/s) the latter is a very calm experience. Friends have said a crash caesarean is often a bit traumatic and the very thing they were trying to avoid - panic, worrying if the baby is alright, mad dash down the corridor to theatre - not nice. Just a matter of thinking about it and weighing up the pros and cons.

Good luck

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