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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Childbirth

external cephalic version - anyone refused?

37 replies

heartmoonshadow · 24/05/2009 17:49

Hi,

I am 32 weeks pregnant and throughout my pregnancy I have had a constantly transverse baby. I have been advised that due to the 'estimated size' of the baby (done by feel alone) that it is unlikely the baby will turn. The midwife says there is no point measuring for birth size as there is no possible way of getting an accurate measure. I have a growth scan booked for 35 weeks but she has warned me that the doctor will put pressure on me to have an ECV - which I do not want as there is a risk of early onset labour.

I think that if the baby is still transverse I would like to push for a c-section at 39 weeks - any tips for speaking to scary consultants and voicing a valid argument for no ECV and a c-section appreciated.

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heartmoonshadow · 02/06/2009 22:06

HI,

Thanks for the support JetLi - have not been around for a couple of days due to work pressures hence late reply.

I am going to take my SIL with me and she is a bit of a rottweiler so that will help.

I am going to ask for c section regardless of their advice, however I would prefer it if he turned on his own on 6 weeks 5 days (or up to 14 days later to go so fingers crossed.

HMS

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mogwai · 03/06/2009 16:37

I was a bit worried when I read that your husband is a strapping bloke and you are so small.

I have a friend with similar and she had a lot of difficulty giving birth to her first baby. The were both fine in the end but afterwards the medics decided that they ought to have known there might be problems due to the relative difference in their sizes.

She had a section for her second child (for that reason) and was much happier with the whole thing.

My own baby was breech but has now turned the right way up. My husband is a consultant and has lots of consultant and GP friends and I was advised by them not to bother with ECV but to go straight for a section, which would have been my decision had the baby not moved.

It is totally your choice and if you decline then you get the section. You should not have to argue your case. Given your sizes, the section might not be a bad thing anyway.

If you are unhappy with your consultant then write to the clinical director for Obstetrics and Gynaecology stating the reasons why and request a change.

Good luck!

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wahwahwah · 03/06/2009 16:39

32 weeks still early. If by 37 no move then start thinking about it. Could try hypnobirthing - has good results.

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Reallytired · 03/06/2009 19:38

32 weeks is still plenty of time to turn. I had a transverse lie until 35 weeks! Infact I would not worry too much until 37 weeks.

See this web site for ideas

www.spinningbabies.com/

Not all consultants are prepared to do ECV.

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JetLi · 10/06/2009 09:50

Hi heart - when do you see the consultant? Thinking of you x

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heartmoonshadow · 10/06/2009 11:13

Hi JefLi

I see the consultant next week - I have a midwife appointment today, but to top it all off I now have high blood pressure so they are thinking of inducing if necessary dependent on baby direction, bp or any other thing they can find wrong!!! Anyway I am not panicking too much yet (or so I keep claiming to DH!) no point in worrying everyone else is there?

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pokemonmum · 10/06/2009 11:35

hi, just thought i'd share my experience. my son was breech at 37 weeks and my consultant tried to push me into a c-section rather than trying to turn the baby even though there were no other complications. (which i was totally against, she even wrote i was having section on my notes before i agreed!). Anyway the little monster turned at 38 weeks the night before i was due to go into hospital for attempted turning, never felt a thing and he wasn't small (9lb). So theres time for the baby to turn by itself.
good luck xx

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JetLi · 10/06/2009 11:37

Well chuck it never rains but it pours - you're really going through it! I guess you're heading towards 34 weeks-ish now which I think is a bit of a "magic number" in pregnancy with respect to baby's lung development - I hope you get some reassurance today.
You might be a Mummy by the time Wimbledon starts at this rate!
x

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KirstyJC · 10/06/2009 11:49

Hi there heart. I had ECVs with both my babies (breech) at 37 weeks. I didn't need to sign a consent form although they asked me quite clearly if I consented.

I had the same consultant do it both time (5 yrs apart) and it was a different one from the other consultant - I think he specialised in it or something.

The one thing everyone made very clear - from midwives who realised they were breech - to consultants - was that ECV was AN OPTION - they at no point pressured me into it. The guy who did it had only had to do 1 emergency C Section as a result, in 6 years of doing it - but his success rate was way above average I think.

Personally I wanted to avoid a section as my sister mhad 2 and the recovery was horrible and affected what she could do with the babies. BUT that was just her, I wouldn't necessarily have had the same probs. Do remember though that a section IS major surgery and does have risks of its own - don't think of it as the low-risk solution!

If you are adamant then stick to your guns and I'm sure it will be fine.

Good luck!

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JetLi · 10/06/2009 12:07

Hi heart - a lovely lady just posted this technique on our antenatal thread for turning babies. A little unorthodox maybe, but it could provide a couple of evenings of entertainnment for you and hubby

"positioning I've no idea if it made any difference last time, but DP and I spent a couple of highly amusing evenings with a bag of frozen peas and a torch trying to get DD to turn (and she did at some point - no idea if on own accord or not). Allegedly, babe will move towards light and away from cold, so get on all fours, put torch down by pubic bone and peas on top of bump!"

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NKffffffffbd5c103cX11d23fe3986 · 12/11/2009 11:35

I'd love to know the name of this wonderful consultant with the high success rate for ECV as my daughter might need him!

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gladders · 12/11/2009 16:38

i chose ECV - it was highly recommended by my consultant and no one mentioned at any point that it could hurt.

my baby was small (6lb 15 a week later) and not engaged and it was the most painfaul experience ever. i had 3 people holding onto different parts of the baby and using all their force to run him. i had finger nail marks in my belly.

in realise that this does not rule out its effectiveness as a procedure but i do think anyone embarking on it should be aware of the possible downsides. (oh and it didnt work anyway)