Breech baby at 35 weeks

[Walkinglikeazombie]

So next week Tuesday I've got my 36 week appointment; and have been told if baby is still breech they will refer me for ECV. I have been told what to expect and that there is plenty of room for my baby to move around so have a good chance of successful turning. They have explained possible complications but assured me they only occur in very unlikely events. Obstetrician I saw yesterday told me that in her 7 years of practice she had not once had a case of early labour due to ECV.
However, reading here, it doesn't seem to be the most popular procedure? So my first dilemma is, whether or not to go ahead with it.
Secondly, I had my DD two years ago, pretty straightforward vaginal delivery. I was hoping for the same this time, but am now wandering if baby remains breech till due date, should I try for vaginal delivery or accept cs?
I don't have anything against cs but was hoping to avoid it, mainly due to recovery time and not being able to attend to my DD1 as much as I will be on my own at home; however I am worried if I do opt for vaginal delivery and baby is breech, how much would midwifes interfere, as I am very scared of any sort of instruments used after my cousin was delivered with forceps and was left brain damaged. Also, my understand is that midwifes don't have much experience of delivering breech babies as they usually refer such cases to cs?
Any input or personal experiences are more than welcome.

TYIA

For what it's worth my dd (dc1) was breech. The consltant I saw was very anti ECV, as I think are the majority of the consltants at that hospital. I did a lot of research at the time a talked to a friend who had had attempted ECV and decided against it.

I oppted for ELCS but knew it would have been cancled if she managed to turn on her own. They scaned to check right before I was taken to theater. It was'nt anywhere near as bad as I throught it would be and although my dd is a little older than yours, 2.11, I would be able to cope with recovery as it was with her and look after her. Dc2 is due next march, so have been weighing up options for his arrival. I was certainly able to cuddle the young children I used to work with when I took her to visit a week later. Although if you're reliant on a car you might find it more difficult to manage in the recovery period.

The midwives were lovely at my hospital and we're happy to talk about the possabilty of vaginal delivery and what that might entail. The couple I spoke to were very open about the practical experince the hospital had and what I could potentially expect with montering and intervention. With a subsiquent birth they'd have been supportive of attempting vaginal devlivery if that is what the mother wanted.

I'd think 35 weeks is early to worry about breech. Both mine were breech until 36/37 weeks then turned and I guess it varies between hospital but they weren't bothered either until a little later on.
Do you have to have the ECV now or could you potentially wait a week or two?
Have a look at the stats for your consultant and hospital - some doctors are better than others at it. I personally wouldn't risk it but it's a very personal decision on what's best for you. Good luck

Ask the person doing the Ecv how many they've done personally, their success rate and their complication rate. Also check that you'll be monitored for at least an hour after it . Half an hour isn't enough.

Ecvs can be very uncomfortable - they can work brilliantly but they do have a small risk of injury to the baby on top of the risk of early labour. I personally wouldn't be keen but you need to make an informed choice so the questions above are key.

Good luck - they may turn anyway in time :)

Head down baby, due for delivery at 36 weeks, turned transverse in week 35! Offered ECV and told to consider as consultants not keen to CS baby before 38 weeks. I researched and considered and decided absolutely NOT. Too many risks (previous baby was full term cord entanglement stillbirth). In hindsight I was right. DD3 was delivered perfect by ECS at 36 weeks - with a cord around her neck and a true knot. The consequences we would have faced have since been made very clear by doctors and midwives and make me shudder and feel sick still 7 years on.

I refused a ECV despite a bit of pressure to have one. This was because I'd previously had a stillbirth and the tiny risk posed by the procedure wasn't one I was prepared to take.
I'd also read that around half of breech babies once turned just return to breech position, so aside from the risk, the discomfort I'd endure maybe would be pointless.
But 50% is 50% so it can and does work, its totally up to the individual.

I had an ECV and it wasn't that bad, although I was dreading it...
I researched the risks and they were less than a CS BUT it depends on your situation.
Ask about the baby's size, position and your fluid levels. It really needs a Dr who is confident and experienced doing it too. When I went they scanned baby, placenta and umbilical cord for any issues, then advised if these had any potential challenges, the Dr was quite clear he wouldn't proceed if there was any doubt. You can change your mind at any stage, even if they started doing it and you found it too sore.

I had the right conditions for the ECV to be successful, so I know it's not for everyone but I wouldn't rule it out without investigating first as CS aren't risk free either.
Look up Spinning Babies in the meantime, they've lots of useful positions to try to help them turn themselves first.

Abbey, they would refer me for ECV only if baby is still breech at my 36wk appoinment which is next week Tuesday. The consultant said that chances are better if one was done around 36,37 weeks as baby wouldn't be too big and there is more room to turn her.
Florence and Mumberjack, so sorry to hear of your experiences. Florence, glad to hear you trusted your gut with your LO. It is because of stories such as yours that I am scared to go through with the procedure, especially as my DDs cord was also wrapped around her neck when she was born, but fortunately she was fine.
Peppermint, thank you for sharing your experience. I think I will go to the appointment if they do refer me, at least to see how big my baby is and how likely is the procedure to be successful based on my baby's position/size/fluid levels. Don't know if I will be brave enough to actually go through it. In the meantime, I'm off to google spinning babies!

Personally I'd massively recommend trying the ECV. Two weeks ago I found out at my 41 week apt that my baby was breech. We discussed with the consultants and despite the very low chance of it working at such a late date and with a large baby (est 4kg) we decided to try it. Admittedly I had no time to research it, but it was either that or c-sec which I was very keen to avoid.

The midwife who did mine was utterly fantastic. They tried without the drug first and just told me to relax - I'd been hypnobirthing so just started to use those techniques. 4mins later she was the right way round! It was truly spectacular. She was monitored afterwards and her heart beat was fine and she wasn't bothered at all. Whilst it wasn't comfortable, I wouldn't class it as a horribly painful experience by any stretch. 'Twas a walk in the park in comparison to labour!!

A week later I was induced and had albeit long (as she was back to back) but successful vaginal delivery, with no interventions.

I can't be more grateful to the wonderful midwife who made that possible.

I didn't have time to consider any other options though - accupuncture has had some excellent successes at turning breech babies so maybe give that a shot too.

I refused my ECV at 37 weeks as I felt the baby was well and truly stuck in the breach position and I just felt it was too risky. I had an Emergency c section at 38+6 as she decided to come earlier than our planned section. It all went fine and recovery was good.