breech baby at 36wks \ ECG \ c section

[LylaLils]

Hello,

Just wondered whether anyone else has / had a similar experience? I have gestational diabetes and so went in for final scan yesterday. They said baby is growing "beautifully" and my blood sugar levels are good. However, baby is breech. So they have suggested an ECV next week. If it works, they will induce me at 39wks. If not I will be booked in for a c section at 39wks.

I've heard that the success rate for ecg is 50% is this true? Does the procedure distress or harm baby? I'm worried only because I've had complications throughout the pregnancy including chicken pox, GD and low PAPP-A levels and I don't know, I just think...why not just forget about trying to turn baby, and just go for the c section? That way it will all be booked in and clinical and monitored etc. I really don't know what to think.

Any advice or anyone with similar experiences I'd appreciate hearing from, even if to just set my mind at ease.

By the way, we had gone through the entire pregnancy not knowing the gender, and told the sonographer that we did not want to know at this final stage. But myself and my other half defo saw a little willy on screen!! Wish we'd never seen it but oh well...we are over the moon anyway. Makes life a lot easier as we were arguing over girls names and agreed on a boys name!

I've not read up on it but I knoew there are risks to ECV so I'm sure someone more knowledgable than me will be along shortly.
There are things you can do to try and get the baby to turn naturally (accupuncture, moxibustion, sitting on a birthing ball etc) so may be worth trying some of those befoer you agree to go down either route.

My DD Was BreechAt 39 Weeks I Was Offered To ave Her Turned But Refused I Had A C-section And In My Opinion It Was For The Best.

I Was Told It Can Distress The Baby But They Monitor You All The Way Through It But If The Baby Was To Get Distressed They Would Stop Immediately

There was a recent thread where someone sadly lost their baby after ECV.

Personally I would opt for the ELCS, having induction with diabetes will be very medicalised with a significant chance of ending in emergency CS. VB is generally safer than CS but a planned CS is safer than an emergency one. I have had 2 EMCS, I would have a planned one any day.

In a similar position though only 34+2 at the moment - I've decided if she hasn't turned of her own accord by the time I'm due to be checked again I'll refuse an ECV and if necessary I'll have a section. For me, the risks aren't worth the 50% success rate.

I've had reflexology recommended to me for turning babies - I'm going to be giving it a go in a couple of weeks if she hasn't turned. Perhaps look at some ways of encouraging baby to turn on it's own?

hi - I am sorry you've had such a tough time so far.

My ds was also breech. I had an ECV - the stats for success I was quoted were higher than yours - but I'm sure whatever you've been told is the latest info from your hospital.

The key thing is whether you really want to aim for natural birth or not. As haggis says, there are other ways to try and turn a baby too. ECV is basically a last resort. The risks to the baby are minimal as they monitor it constantly throughout the proceudure. If you're unsure, then I'd speak to your midwife - let her know all your concerns?

FWIW my ECV was painful and failed. Not ideal. But (with the benefit of hindsight) I am glad I tried.

I think it's a good idea to read up on the negatives of ECV as well as the positive stories. The risks are somewhat minimal, but for something that only has (usually) a 50% success rate, I personally don't think that's a risk worth taking. Apparently in some countries ECVs aren't even performed... Mums are automatically offered sections. There's a thread on here posted recently about the risks, it might be worth a read.

I'm sure you'll come to a decision that's right for you :)

Hi QTPie I know exactly where you are coming from. My dd was breech they offerd me an ECV I thought about it for couple of days and decided against it. The fact that I'd had six previous miscarriages there was no way I was putting my baby at the slightest risk by trying to turn her. The doctor was very understanding and wasn't that keen on trying it anyway. I too was relived in a way as was nice going into hospital knowing we were going to meet our dd that day, and she had a trauma free birth. I found I really wasnt thinking about the c section all I was interested in was meeting my baby in a calm and relaxed manner.

The section itself really isn't that bad, I was soon back on my feet. They give you regular pain killers but it really isn't that bad.

All the best for the day and enjoy your baby.

I'm 34 weeks and this little so and so hasn't decided yet if he prefers head down or breech, but seems to be favouring breech! I'm due for elcs anyway, but I don't think I'd fancy having ecv. I know the risks are minimal but at 50% success rate, I can't see the benefit myself.

Thanks all so much for your replies. I am edging towards refusing the ECV and asking for a ELCS. What with all the uncertainty I've experienced throughout the pregnancy I would really welcome the planned and somewhat calmer c section. I really don't want to deal with the stress of ECV and then go through induction which might not even work.

I'm a bit nervous about telling the obstetrician my decision though. Should I just call the hospital and cancel the apt?

Thanks all so much for your replies. I am edging towards refusing the ECV and asking for a ELCS. What with all the uncertainty I've experienced throughout the pregnancy I would really welcome the planned and somewhat calmer c section. I really don't want to deal with the stress of ECV and then go through induction which might not even work.

I'm a bit nervous about telling the obstetrician my decision though. Should I just call the hospital and cancel the apt?

Hi LylaLis. If you don't want an ECV, you don't have to have one it is entirely YOUR choice. It's your baby and your body. If I was you I would still go for your appointment as you will be able to discuss a c section and they will probably book you a date for it. I was booked for an ECV but had decided I didn't want it doing, I still went to the appointment and told them as soon as I got there I had changed my mind. They did ask me why and completely understood my reasoning. And they couldnt have been kinder. As it turned out the obstetrician wasn't to keen to do it anyway but they have to offer you the choice. You don't have to give a reason just don't let them talk you into anything you are not happy with.

The best of luck and stick to your guns! C sections really aren't that bad.