ECV experiences?

[GeordieLondoner]

I'm 38 + 5 and baby is breech so doctors have booked me in for an ECV tomorrow, when I found out baby was breech doctors really pushed the ECV and stats seem to suggest that it's safe but I've heard lots of 'friends of friends' have had bad experiences. Has anyone had an ECV? I don't know whether to cancel it and ask for an elective C Section instead?

I don't have experience with that. Sorry. But I personally would have booked myself an elcs. When the child is in breech, I feel it is safest to simply avoid anything that might pose any additional risks. But as I said, I don't have any personal experience, however, that's what I would have done. When I hear the word breech, I always think of elcs as being the safest. I wish you all the best!!

I personally would not consent to an ECV. Baby may just have not turned but it may also have not turned for a good reason - the cord may be short, or tangled around the body for example. ECV carries (for me, obviously this is your choice) risk of placental abruption, cord compression and physical harm to the baby. I’d (and again just my opinion, not advice) go to elcs.

If you do have one, ask what their success rate is - for the person actually doing it. How many they personally do in a year, the rate of complications. Make sure they will monitor you for an extended time (not half an hour and then off you go) and be aware that the procedure can result in birth starting there and then - take a bag!

Thanks both (I've changed my username!) I went in today for ECV and waited all day and then they sent me home, I've got to go back on Monday but I'm meeting with the consultant first to go through everything and they've said that I can pull out at the point if I want to. Thanks again.

Another one here who would go straight to ELCS. Just not worth the risk IMO. Is there a particular reason why you are set on VB? Or is it something the hospital have pushed. Have a good look online for info.

I went for the ECV on Dr's recommendation, and really regretted it. It was painful and didn't work anyway, and just all felt a bit brutal and rough, considering it's a tiny baby they're turning.

If the one I'm carrying now is another breech, I'm going for elcs as I vowed never to have an ECV again.

But as you say, there are success stories out there, so go for what you feel comfortable with. Good luck either way!

Thanks all, I'm really not set on a VB, to be honest I would prefer a elective c section but the hospital are really pushing the ECV and my DH (think that's the right acronym - I'm new to this ) is really pushing for a VB and I'm not quite sure why. Back at hospital tomorrow and I've said to them that I am happy to give the ECV a go but if there is any resistance or pain then I want them to stop and I'll go for a section.

Thanks again for responding!!

Is your DH fully aware of the risks of ECV? Why is he so set on VB?

It's your decision, at the end of the day. Not the hospital's, and not even your DH's, though I'm sure you will wish to listen to his thoughts. If you do not want the ECV, the hospital will have to respect your wishes and grant an ELCS instead. If that's what you want, refusing the ECV means you will get it.

Make sure you are fully informed, and are not rail-roaded into doing something you don't want. Your body, your baby, your decision.

I agree with everyone else in here. I made a simple search online on the risks and it can be pretty bad! Just know that it can result in the baby going in distress right there and then and the situation might turn pretty serious. I would personally not consent to this. A lot of husbands are keen on VB because of how it is romanticised in Hollywood movies as a "natural" experience. They don't go into labour themselves or carry the responsibility of carrying the baby for nine months. I had a number of friends who followed DH's wishes even when it carried risks and the results were not the best. Please do your own research and do what you think is best for you and for your baby. At the end of the day, neither the hospital nor DH should be making a decision here.

I'm reading this with interest as I'm due an ECV on Thursday. I'll be 38+6.

Baby was only found to be breech a few days ago and I haven't had much chance to discuss with anyone. I have been given a leaflet but it doesn't really discuss risks. Does anyone have any credible websites where this is discussed. I've avoided googling as this tends to bring up a lot of rubbish 😬.

To those who experienced ECV hoe did it feel? Was it painful?

Sorry to hijack OP.

I had one. Wasn't painful in the slightest. Baby turned easily. Of course, baby then turned back, then round again then ditto ditto. Finally stayed head down of own accord at about 41 plus a bit weeks. Induced at 42 weeks

I also had one. Was painful but nowhere near as bad as I feared. Baby turned fine and I had a very quick and straightforward homebirth 2 weeks later.

The consultant said that she would stop at any point if I didn't feel comfortable. She had explained all the risks but the older mindwife, on seeing my rather worried face, told me that in her 30 years on the job she'd never seen one go wrong which was a comfort.

Incidentally the baby is now nearly 9 and sitting next to me doing homework

obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/1471-0528.14466

The rcog guidelines for ECV. Basically it can be painful, it has a fifty fifty chance of success. You MUST be somewhere with extended monitoring and facilities for immediate section and nicu.

I personally wouldn’t consent - there are small risks and I personally would go straight to cs if breech. That’s just my opinion - but I would strongly suggest that you do what you feel is best and that your husband’s preference for a vb is pretty far down the list of factors to consider. When he gives birth, he can have a weightier opinion on that

It's very naughty of the hospital to hand you a leaflet that doesn't contain the risks. You cannot give informed consent if you haven't been given information on the risks. There is a small risk of catastrophic outcome here, which you need to be aware of. There is also, of course, risk associated with ELCS - no birth mode is risk-free. You need to know how they compare before you decide.

Personally I would feel much more comfortable with ELCS, and would never consent to ECV, but you may feel differently, e.g. if you are planning a large family and want to avoid CS, if possible, for that reason. Please do your own research, and also ask the hospital for the relative risks for both procedures. Ask them to put it in number/percentage form.

I had one 14 years ago for a transverse baby. I don't know if the risks weren't known about then, but I certainly wasn't told of any. The procedure was fine, uncomfortable rather than painful, and successful.
DD was subsequently born with the cord round her neck, and with a knot in it. A watchful midwife was aware and delivered her safely, but it could have been very different. Whether the cord issues were caused by the ECV, or were the reason she hadn't turned naturally, I don't know.
Knowing what I do now, I think I may have come to a different decision all those years ago.

I had one with DS1 eight years ago. It was fine. Brutal, but fine. Honestly though, if I had been a bit more savvy and researched it better rather than being all gung-ho and desperate to avoid a C section I would never have consented. I did write about my experience on here at the time, I'll see if I can find the post...

I've c&p the relevant parts of my post detailing my experience below for anyone interested in the details.

11/08/2010 18:12

They put a CTG monitor on me for about half an hour whilst the Terbutaline injection to relax my uterine muscles took effect. When it was time to start they tilted the bed slightly head-down and then the lovely specialist registrar, with the assistance of the midwife, under the consultant's guidance, scanned to check position. Sure enough he was still breech, legs extended.

Then she started kneading my tummy just like it was dough, starting at the bottom, alternating with the head. Its very physical, she was standing up sweating with the effort of pushing his little bottom out of my pelvis and holding it there whilst she checked on the monitor. She just kept going for about 10 minutes, inching him round to transverse, then finally to cephalic.

I'm so glad DH was there holding my hand, because even though i'm not squeamish and have a quite high tolerance for pain, I lay there head turned away, tears in my eyes, from the force she needed to use to get the little bugger to move!

Now I'm home with strict instructions not to do anything strenuous and try to keep upright for a few hours to make sure he doesn't turn back round. I think I will have a bruise or two, but it was all completely worth it.

Hi all, I had my ECV yesterday at 38 weeks and it was extremely painful, I gave it a go for as long as I could but the pain was too much (I was shaking and crying) and so my husband stepped in and asked them to stop. I probably do have a low pain threshold though.

When reviewing my options I was given the 50% success rate and really felt pushed into it by the medical team but when I spoke with each midwife and doctor individually after the ECV and asked how many successes they had seen they were talking no where near that number. I can't help feeling that it was pushed by the doctors as is less expensive.

If you go ahead I would ask for the individual success rate of the doctor doing the ECV as feel like the 50% is probably skewed towards some consultants who are experts and are successful most times, and others with a poor success rate.

Apologies if this puts you off and I am pleased that I gave it a go but for me it was just too painful.

I had a successful ECV. It wasn't painful, it just felt weird!
Worth noting though:

• the consultant who performed it is very, very experienced and had assessed the baby's position etc to see if it was favourable;
• I was monitored before and after and was on standby for a c section in case of complications;
• there were no other risk factors.

I went on to have a straightforward VB afterwards.

You do need to pay attention to the risks, though.

Hi all, I went for my ECV yesterday but various reasons they decided not to proceed with it. Baby had dropped low into my pelvis bum first and as I was 39 weeks the consultant felt it would not be possible to shift them.

So booked for section on Wednesday. I'll be 39+5 then, let's hope they stay in until then!

Best of luck Grumpy!

Hope it all goes well!