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

Original poster

ELCS or attempt ECV?

14 replies

Elb94 · 03/04/2022 19:09

Hi all, I’m just after some advice really… I had a growth scan at 34 weeks and was told baby was in the breech position. I’ve got another scanned booked on Friday (36 weeks) to determine if the baby has flipped on his own but have been told that if he doesn’t, I will be offered an EVC. I’m currently 35+2 and aware baby could flip by himself but I also want to be prepared that it may not happen! I’ve been trying to research both ECV and an elective c-section as this will be the option if I don’t want the ECV but my question is, what were your experiences and did you choose an ECV or go straight for the ELCS? Myself and my partner are swinging towards an ELCS but I’m worried about making the wrong decision!!

OP posts:
seven201 · 03/04/2022 19:49

I had an evc. It didn't work but I'm glad I tried. The doctor was able to push her round about 5 degrees but she just pinged straight back. Since ttc troubles for number 2 a doctor discovered a big adhesion blocking the top right of my uterus. It's likely that's what caused my dd to be breach and just not be moved. There was lots of monitoring and the doctor would have stopped if I'd said to. I'm glad we tried it (although could never have worked for me anyway).

I really loved my c-section. Was very organised. I know some women feel they've not truly given birth, but that wasn't an issue for me. No issues bonding or breast feeding.

CoffeeCappucino · 03/04/2022 19:51

ELCS

Sometimes there is a reason a baby is breech and it is better to have a c section than forcefully manipulate a baby into a position that could cause harm. It may be a cord issue or something like the poster above has described.

Good luck x

Bewilderbeest · 03/04/2022 19:55

Mine was similar and I had an ELCS. It wasn’t the most fun but I recovered quickly. Get moving as soon as you can and do scar massage once it’s healed. No regrets here!

MrsT84 · 03/04/2022 20:01

This is something I am likely to have to consider on Wednesday. Baby was transverse at my 34 week growth scan, then oblique at 36 weeks. She is still very high up now and although will partially engage never stays in that position. I had to have a c-section with my first and was hoping for a vbac this time but will see how things are looking on Wednesday when I have a positional scan.

LittleMsPerfect · 03/04/2022 21:08

I refused ECV my as my consultant told me I would have no pain relief as most women tolerate the procedure and that most women think 50% success rate is good.

I had a c section.

I don't think ECV is a procedure women should "tolerate" without pain relief when its not guaranteed to work.

Original poster
Elb94 · 05/04/2022 08:32

Thank you so much for your replies! I think I’m going to opt for the ELCS if he’s still breech.. something just doesn’t sit right with me when I think about the ECV.

@Bewilderbeest @LittleMsPerfect can I ask what week of pregnancy you were booked in for your c-section?

OP posts:
Bewilderbeest · 05/04/2022 08:46

39 weeks. The babe had in fact turned by the time it happened but I stuck with the original plan because he was a VERY big lad and I wanted to avoid an emergency CS.

Mariposa123 · 05/04/2022 08:51

We only discovered at 39 weeks my daughter was breech, and I had an ECV on her due date, with an ELCS booked the day after if it didn’t work. In hindsight I wished I’d just gurney straight for the c section. The ECV was uncomfortable and ultimately unsuccessful. The people who encouraged me to try it were very pro natural birth, but I wasn’t so worried about that.

Giraffaelina · 05/04/2022 09:02

I opted for an ELCS with my breech baby and had the op scheduled for 39+2

I refused the ECV because I read that sometimes there are reasons baby is breech (short cord, hip problems etc) and I didn't want to force him into a position that he wasn't able to take up by himself. I also didn't want to risk an emergency section should the ECV not be successful, I read that complications resulting in emergency section were quite common.

I had a wonderful ELCS experience and there were no issues with baby, no reasons why he was breech apart from maybe preference? Haha! (And he possibly knew his Mum was freaking out about giving birth vaginally and did me a favour!!)

I am glad I made this decision, it definitely was the right one for us, I would say do lots of research and make yours based on that. Good luck OP :)

Seeline · 05/04/2022 09:11

My DD was transverse and I went for ECV. Thus was nearly 18 years ago and I was given no information of the risks. Internet was very new, and not much info around. I wanted to avoid a C-section as I had an active 2.5 yo as well.

ECV worked, and I didn't really find it any more than uncomfortable.

But DD was born at 40+12 with the cord around her neck and things could have ended differently if I hadn't had an experienced midwife. The cord also had a knot in it which meant reduced oxygen every time it was pulled tighter.

I strongly believe that both these were the result of the ECV. Knowing the risks associated with the procedure these days, I think I would definitely go straight to a section given the choice again.

ohthejoysoftoddler · 05/04/2022 09:51

I was told at 36 weeks my first was breach and I felt really pressured into trying the ECV. And I did. In the room they had posters advocating 'natural' births, they were obviously old.

It was uncomfortable, I'd say painful. And the next day I was in a lot of pain, like I'd done a workout.

It didn't work, I had an elective section and another one 18 months ago with my second.

I think with all the news coming out from the Shropshire trust hospitals, women just need to be offered the sections more easily and Feel less pressured into ECV.

jupitermars1345 · 09/04/2022 15:40

My baby was breech at 34 weeks
At 36 I went for a scan to check again and she had turned on her own and I didn't even know she had it ! MW told me I had loads of time at 34 for her to turn as they can literally just flip still.

However if not I would have gone for a elcs I think.
Something about the ecv didn't sit right with me
It wasn't something I was comfortable with and the success rate wasn't high enough for me

starsinyourpies · 09/04/2022 15:44

Big baby, breech, he did move last minute and tried for vaginal birth but ended up with c section as he just didn't budge from all the pushing! I was told as it was my third baby would 'slip out'.

Horrible recovery, do not recommend.

Pac35 · 11/04/2022 11:17

I had two ECVs at 37 and 38 weeks with my baby who is now 3 weeks old. Unfortunately they both didn't work. I had a c section in the end because the feet were presenting and I didn't feel confident with a vaginal breech. I tried acupuncture, moxibustion and all the natural methods. I really didn't want a caesarean But felt this was the best option

The caesarean was difficult and the recovery was tough.

For me it was down to 'what is my preferred mode of delivery?' The answer was vaginal. So I thought if I go for a caesarean then I'll definitely have a caesarean. If I choose an ECV then I might have a vaginal birth.

The ECV was uncomfortable, the second time I used gas and air which was very helpful!!

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