ECV with anterior placenta

[weeblueberry]

I'm only 32 weeks so have lots of time for the wee bugger to shift but it was mentioned about an EVC at my last appointment. I went in for my whooping cough vaccination this morning and the nurse who administered it used to be a midwife. When I mentioned the ECV with anterior placenta she screwed up her face and said she'd rather not offer her opinion on it because she felt she couldn't be unbiased.

Since she mentioned that I've looked into it and it seems there's a higher risk of the placenta becoming detached. Now I was never hugely keen on the idea of an ECV but this has put me off even more. I know a C section would be more traumatic for me if it came to it but I want to do what's going to cause the baby the least distress.

A planned C Section is not necessarily traumatic. I had planned to have Ecv with my first but my waters broke at 37 weeks , two days before planned ecv and as DD was still breech I had a section, had been adamant didn't want one but it was fine, not at all traumatic. Had to have another section for DD 2 due to placenta previa - that was under general anaesthetic and slightly more traumatic as had been in hospital for a week due to bleeding. Sections are not as scary as people sometimes think and in your case might be less risky than Ecv.

Sorry I probably used the wrong word. I meant traumatic more in a physical sense? In that it would likely extend my recovery time. In terms of how I feel about it I'm not worried about it and if it was best for the baby would be absolutely fine with it.

Sorry - didn't intend to make it seem as though it was this horrible procedure because I know it's not.

weeblueberry - there is a thread in Childbirth section about ECVs at the moment (with some people who had successful ECVs commenting) it also linked another thread about the risks associated with ECV - might be worth a peek.

just to add my thoughts - i had an unsuccessful ECV to turn DD who was breech. i was determined NOT to have a c section and tried everything to get her to turn. as she was footling breech, the risks of going into labour were just too great and so i very reluctantly agreed to the section. it was very calm, not at all traumatic as i thought it would be, she fed within minutes of being born (while i was being put back together) and i feel so embarrassed that i caused such a fuss about the ELCS.

i was worried about recovery time, like you, as i had a 2.9 yo at the time - and wanted to do all the usual things with him. i can honestly say that the recovery from the section was FAR easier than the months and months of recovery from the VB i had with DS. i did wait the six weeks to drive, because i wanted to make sure that i was properly healed. and i still managed cuddles / days out etc with DS.

am currently pg with DC3 and have the option of going for ELCS or VBAC. if this one is also breech (both babies were but DS had the good grace to turn) am going for the section. i know its not an 'easy' option, not at all, but for myself the experience was far less traumatic.

your wee one still has time to turn, get onto spinning babies to encourage him/her!

I don't have any personal experience of this but there was a message on this forum a couple of weeks ago about the dangers of ECV and as it damaged her baby's placenta. But I don't know the ins and outs of this but it maybe worth searching for the message. Good luck xx

If I am in the position of being recommended an ECV I have to say I would refuse. I have read some concerning things about them including the thread mentioned above and yes i know that for every bad story there are 5 good stories (made up stat there but you get the drift) but I couldn't in all good conscience have an ECV, would rather do natural things (see spinning babies website) and if they didn't work then have a section.

I'm almost 36wks and my baby is still breech, ecv has been mentioned, I will have the scan to see why/what kind of breech but it my heart of hearts I know I won't have it turned manually. Which means c-section which I didn't really want after hypnobirthing and the curiosity of natural childbirth. Inevitably you want your baby born healthy and if that means c-section, then so be it, worrying and stressing is far more traumatic!!