ECV vs c-section - breech baby

[2021expecting]

Looking for some guidance/experiences from anyone who have been through the decision process of ECV and/or c section.

FTM, 34 weeks atm so I know its early yet and baby may turn, however I was at the consultant today and they were very keen on me having ECV at 37 weeks if still breech. Then listed every negative and scary point for the c-section option, not one positive. So worried that I'll make the wrong decision and put him at risk or worse.

I've got 3 weeks to see if he'll turn and decide on initial ECV, so I'd be so grateful for any advice - even more confused about it now.

Thanks so much ❤

Tell your DH he can have all the ECV and vaginal births he wants. You do what YOU want.

I've had vaginal and c section. My section was my last so I couldn't comment on further births. A relative had a emergency section and was given a choice for her second birth.

My 9lb rascal was footling breech and I decided against an ECV due to the risks and likelihood of success. On the morning of the ELCS I felt him turning (ouch!) and it was confirmed by a scan. I still went ahead with the CS due to childcare issues.

However, for my 3rd pregnancy I had a complete placenta previa/accreta, necessitating a second CS. I know the first CS raised the likelihood of it due to scar tissue in my womb, so that's worth considering.

I would go for the c section. Ecv seems brutal for baby.
As for your husband, this decision is yours. It’s your body and you’ll be the one doing the recovering.

I declined an ECV as when I really thought about it, I felt I would be doing it more to satisfy my own wish of having a vaginal birth rather than what was actually best for baby who wouldn't care less how they came out!

My baby had been breech all along and never showed signs of moving. I felt maybe there was a reason for that so I decided not to interfere. Was told they wouldn't consider a breach vaginal delivery due to baby's position.

I ended up with a semi EMCS as I went into labour ahead of ELCS date. I did find recovery hard if I'm honest but didn't doubt my decision. I was told VBAC was my best option for a future birth and think was given about a 70% success rate? Similar to that of any first baby.

Had DS2 earlier this year by VBAC which I loved. There is a slight increased risk of scar rupture and they awhich they monitor you for and they are more cautious with induction options but I was given the option of being midwife led without continual monitoring if I wanted.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

PlanDeRaccordement that sounds like the best outcome, hoping he'll turn within next few weeks like your 2 DC did - did you do any exercises to encourage them to turn? 😀

I don’t know if it had anything to do with them turning, but I did do prenatal yoga 3x a week.

I had an ECV - didn’t work sadly but was uncomfortable rather than painful. Went on to have a section, all went ok but still glad I tried the ECV. Baby was really wedged under my ribs and they had a bit of trouble getting her to shift even during the section!

I honestly wouldn't mind a c section if it were safer

Its one of the safest procedures out there.

In fact, I wouldn't have minded a vb if only it were safer!

I had the ECV as my hospital had a dedicated breech team who walked me through my options and made me feel comfortable. ECVs are not as horrific as people think they are. Mine actually tickled and I laughed so hard that the LO got stuck in my pelvis so it didn't work but I declined the second try. It did hurt a bit afterwards but wasn't as bad as people think.

I had a ELCS but they did offer me a vaginal birth but walked me through the dangers of both. I think it's about personal choice and if the hospital is confident in dealing with breech babies. My midwife and the staff in the hospital were brilliant and, whilst I was apprehensive, I was in great hands.

Two breech babies, one undiagnosed and EMCS, the other ELCS.

Skip the ECV and take the ELCS. No one gave me any bother about that choice. I think there’s a lot of misinformation/hyped risks bandied around about sections, probably in the name of trying to meet targets/reduce numbers for financial reasons. Both sections - even the EMCS - were very positive experiences with uncomplicated recoveries.

I've not had a breech baby but I've had a 'natural' birth and an elective c section and I'd go for the latter every time. In your shoes I'd do that. Your consultant is a twat to scare you like that. Risks from c sections are almost always from emergency sections where things are going wrong anyway.
I dont think the data is even separated out between emergency and elective. Or that data wasn't available when I had my children anyway.

@IdblowJonSnow

I've not had a breech baby but I've had a 'natural' birth and an elective c section and I'd go for the latter every time. In your shoes I'd do that. Your consultant is a twat to scare you like that. Risks from c sections are almost always from emergency sections where things are going wrong anyway. I dont think the data is even separated out between emergency and elective. Or that data wasn't available when I had my children anyway.

The data has been seperated out for awhile and there are slightly higher risks to even an ELCS but depending on how they were presented, Consultant may or may not be a “twat”

Indications for and Risks of Elective Cesarean Section
Ioannis Mylonas 1 , Klaus Friese

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4555060/
“Maternal morbidity in elective cesareans is only slightly higher than that for vaginal deliveries (e72), and the operative risks are even half those associated with emergency cesarean sections (e73– e75).”

“Neonates born via elective cesarean section have a higher risk of respiratory complications such as respiratory distress syndrome or transitory tachypnea of the newborn (e76, e80). As a rule, the symptoms tend to be mild and self-limiting, although many babies have to be admitted to a neonatal ward...”

“Studies have now also investigated long-term medical effects of cesarean section. Interestingly, an association was found between cesarean section and the occurrence of autism (e82), bronchial asthma (e4, e5), type 1 diabetes mellitus (e6), various food allergies (e66), and allergic rhinitis (e4, e7). Although some possible pathophysiological explanations have been postulated, causality has yet to be definitively proven and is the subject of much controversy in specialist medical circles (e83).”

“Another complication that can occur after cesarean section is difficulty with breast-feeding (e84, e85). However, there are inconsistencies between the numerous studies that have now been carried out..”

“ A WHO study of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes between 2004 and 2008 in 24 countries showed that cesarean sections are associated with increased risks for mother and child, and that therefore a cesarean section should only be performed when clear advantages are to be gained (e11). For this reason, cesarean section cannot be considered an equal alternative to spontaneous childbirth, and should be viewed with caution.”

*of course ELCS is safer than attempting a vagina breech birth. The study was talking about normal head first vaginal births.

ECV wasn’t even suggested for my breech but I had pregnancy induced hypertension and an anterior placenta with a large fibroid low down so I suspect it was deemed too risky.

Thanks so much for everyone's replies, really appreciate it. Think I'm going to turn ECV down if he hasn't turned by 37 weeks.

@Tempusfudgeit that's good to know re your experience of pregnancies afterwards, think I've felt him trying to turn at night (painful) lol. But no full turn movement yet.

@AldiIsla thanks, exactly my thoughts lol I appreciate his input but at the end of the day, he isn't the one getting his stomach prodded.

@IdblowJonSnow Yeah elcs is bound to be safer than emergency, think I'd prefer the controlled birth if he's still breech instead of worrying about waters breaking etc.

@PlanDeRaccordement thanks for the reading material, good to know the facts on it

Your DH is very keen for you to have a vaginal birth? Why?

@grassisjeweled, I think he's worried about the risks of c-section surgery for me, as every woman in his family have only ever given birth vaginally. So he believed that it's the safest birth plan, even with ecv.

He's come round to the plans, no ecv and potential that c section is needed.

My husband comes from a large family and he has no idea how his grandmothers, aunts, cousins and sisters and sisters in laws gave birth.

He only knows about his own birth and his siblings.

I don’t know any women who discuss the own obstetric and gynaecological history with their distance male relatives. Most only give limited information to their own husbands.

Your husband and his family sounds very unusual to say the least.

You need to start asking all your male relatives what they have done about things like premature ejaculation, prostate problems,
Incontinence, Testicular problem and Impotence/erectile dysfunction.

So you will be able to tell your husband the best and safest way to deal with it, when he has these issues. I’m sure he will want to do it your family way.

Just for balance - I found out my baby was breech at 38 weeks, and had 2 ecvs. Sadly both failed, but they really weren't that bad, very uncomfortable rather than painful, and quite hard to breathe and made me feel a bit sick, but that's expected when you consider they're pushing hard on your tummy! The risks are still pretty low.