Any experience with scans for breech / ECVs?

[NumberTwoDue]

Was wondering if anyone has had a scan to check positioning at 36 weeks / an ECV and could tell me what to expect?

I'm 36 weeks and the midwife isn't sure whether the baby is breech or head down so I'm booked for a scan next Monday to confirm. DD was also breech at this stage, but turned herself at 36+5 so hopeful that this baby might do the same (and am obsessively bouncing on the ball/pelvic tilting and all the rest to help). My questions are:

Would I be offered the ECV straight after the scan or is that a separate appointment?

Do I need to fill my bladder for the scan like earlier ones?

If you've had an ECV, did you have pain relief? If so, was it painful after this wore off?

I already have DD so am wondering about child care etc. I feel a bit like a plank for not asking the midwife, but it was a big of a shock and I don't think I was thinking straight....

Thanks in advance.

bladder - no. uterus is big enough.

ECV - no pain relief. maybe you could ask for it.

they will give you a drug that relaxes the womb so no Braxton Hicks will occur.

the drug made me feel very cold & shivery, very headachey and dizzy.
I'm prone to headaches. they told me afterwards that 10% people react the way I did, others are fine.
how about warning before?
procedure was painful like Chinese burns, unsuccessful and left me ill for 2 days

I had to have ELSC as DS4 was footling breech.

Based ony experience I recommend against it.

Also if anything goes wrong you might need EMSC, even possibly under GA.

Hi Zing,

Thanks for replying. I'm sorry you had a bad experience - good to hear both sides as I get the impression they'll push for it (sort of made out it was my only option, if you know what I mean)... I just don't know how I'd manage my two year old after a section, so hoping I can turn the baby before then and it's a moot point.... How did you cope with your other kids after yours (if you don't mind me asking)?

For Ecv they give you muscle relaxant. Doesnt hurt after.

No side effects to muscle relaxant for me. It hurt only for 1 sec then done. And it worked. Dc1 was difficult forceps birth tho, who knows whether a connection

I was booked for a growth scan at 37 weeks anyway, and am not having an ECV, but just to agree with Zing on the bladder.

It took them practically no time to see that the baby is still breech, sp hopefully you shouldnt have to wait too long.

ask away!

he was born im December so DH had 2 weeks paternity leave plus 1 week off for Christmas.
then my mum came to stay with us fir 6 weeks to help - DS2 had been in school and the other two in playgroup so she was very busy with the school runs and everything.

by the time DS4 was 4 weeks old I'd revovered enough to drive again! yay!
(you have to ask gp to agree, for insurance purposes)

after my mum went back DH took another week off as it happened to be a half term and I wanted to stop bf.
DS4 was mixed fed (bf & ff) from Day 5 as he was jaundiced, then I had mastitis twice, them caught a bug and was really ill for a few days (D&V and all, yuck) so I decided I'd only bf as long as there's another adult in the house 24/7.

when he was 10 weeks old I was left to my own devices although I did have some help with the school runs from friends and PILs.

I think it was a difficult time because of the 3 older children and their ages (they were 5.5, 3.5 & 2 when DS4 was born) and having to be really organized for school runs - not so much because of the section!

how old is your DC1?

and re the muscle relaxant - it is more likely to effect you badly if ypu are prone to headaches/migraines.

Thanks everyone.

I'm pleased that the side effects don't affect everyone - I'm not really headache-y, so maybe I'd be ok...

DD is not quite two and a proper pfb, so used to cuddles on tap and basically having it her way (in a lovely toddler way, not a nightmare child way). My problem is that we live about 400 miles away from all our family and I'm not sure anyone would be able to come down for six weeks. We have a good set of friends here, but they're all knocked up too/dealing with second babies, so can't really ask them for too much.

Sephy, we're they ok with you declining the ECV?

*Were not we're ... Blummin ipad

I had an ecv due to my first being a frank breech at 38/39weeks. it was awful as it was so painful. But the ob doing it looked a bit shocked as she walked in the room as I was nearly full term, so I guess a lack of a fluid and a fully grown stuck baby were not on my side. I had gas and air but that wasnt much help really! I went into labour 4 days later and had a section. Good luck with what you decide

I had ECV at 36 weeks, and it was nowhere near as bad as I had been expecting.
The muscle relaxant stung when they injected it, but it didn't give me any side effects.
The procedure itself only lasts for a maximum of 3 minutes per attempt. It is uncomfortable, but I wouldn't say it was particularly painful. The consultant managed to turn my DD on the first attempt, and she didn't turn back afterwards.
I would say go for it.

I didn't have to decline it - instead because of my high blood pressure they wouldn't offer one. Quite pleased as I was very nervous and unsure whether to agree to one, so it was good to have it out of my hands.

Sorry that's not helpful to you with your decision.