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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Decision between ECV or ELCS. So hard.

32 replies

MiracleOntheM4 · 03/12/2013 19:35

Hi everyone

I was wondering if anybody has any recent experience of this decision.

I don't want to try for a breech vaginal birth as has a hideous VB with DC1, so it seems a straight choice between the ECV or ELCS.

My initial thought was ECV and the waiting game, but the more I research the more this worries me - not least due to a recent heartbreaking thread on here.

I'd be interested to know whether anyone else has made the decision and how you saw the pros and cons

If you did go for an ELCS did they wait until the 39 week mark. For me that will be Christmas Eve...

For full info this is likely to be my last pregnancy, as not planning subsequent children. Not sure if that makes a difference.

TIA

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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NorthEasterlyGale · 03/12/2013 20:10

My DS1 was breech last year. Tried ECV but he wouldn't turn so went for ELCS (had ELCS at 38+3 - would have been later but they had trouble fitting me in). Had been planning a homebirth before he turned breech so wanted to try ECV as was desperate to have him at home.

ECV was very uncomfortable / painful and I wouldn't do it again if I'm honest. DS2 is due in February next year and I have ELCS booked already, regardless of breech or not.

Writerwannabe83 · 03/12/2013 20:40

I don't know what an ECV is but I have recently had to make the choice between attempting a vaginal birth under epidural, or opting to go straight for ELCS. I chose the c-section.

HomeHypno · 03/12/2013 20:52

ECV is a pretty common procedure, and not to be scared of. You can bail out anytime during it if you change your mind. It probably won't be pleasant though but at least you'd skip the risks of a ceasarean. Many doctors go a bit overboard at describing the risks, because they legally have to, but they wouldn't recommend it/do it if they didn't think it was a good option.

You might also want to look into moxibustion for turning a breech baby, it is a cheap and safe technique performed by a qualified acupuncturist. The success rate (even in Western RCTs) is better than ECV alone and it can't force the baby to turn hence it is not risky.

Hope it all works out for the best x

Fender1 · 03/12/2013 20:54

Hi Miracle, I had an ECV after finding out my dd was breech, and to be honest I would never go through that again - it was extremely uncomfortable at the time and painful for a few days after...
After trying twice to turn her, and failing, I was then told that it had less than a 50% success rate in my hosp (Yorkshire).
In the end I had an ELCS at 38+6 wks and was brilliant, we followed my birth plan as much as we could and would def choose to go straight for CS if I was in same situation again

AJH2007 · 03/12/2013 20:54

I had ECV with DS and it didn't work for us either. And was stressful and uncomfortable. I wouldn't do it again - the ELCS was fine. I'm due in Feb with number two, who is head down at the moment, so I'm the opposite - v nervous about VBAC!

flyawayblue · 03/12/2013 20:57

Not quite at this point yet, but looks likely. I'm not going to go for ECV I don't think as I'm not sure about the success rates and have also read the recent stories on here.

I've only spoken to the MW and ultrascan woman so far and am going to talk to the consultant to see what they say, maybe ask if you can discuss with a consultant too?

pinkpeoniesx · 03/12/2013 21:55

I had a c section 12 weeks ago as DS was breech. I decided against the ECV. I just felt that if he wanted to turn he would have and there was probably a reason he wouldn't go head down and I didn't want to force it (especially when there's a good chance it wouldn't work/ he'd turn back anyway.) I'd also read a tragic ECV story on mn and that made my decision final not to do it.
My c section was a dream, I was really lucky with recovery and was up and about the next day. This was definitely the right choice for me. Hope you work out what will be best for you. Good luck

CocktailQueen · 03/12/2013 21:57

IMO ECv is better than a cs! You can also try moxibustion, optimal foetal positioning, and tricks to turn your baby - google the spinning babies website.

Bue · 03/12/2013 21:58

My first port of call for turning a breech would always be moxibustion. It can't hurt and there is an evidence base behind it. The earlier on you are the better it tends to work, however.

SuiGeneris · 03/12/2013 22:01

Almost had to make the same call (DS turned by himself the night before the ECV). When I spoke to doctor friends afterwards they were all horrified I had even considered ECV, for the reasons described up thread (low success rate, v uncomfortable, not without risks). Had an ELCS with DS2 and it was lovely, calm and a thousand times better than the vaginal delivery of DS1. Recovery also much faster, I enjoyed the early period a lot more. I would pick ELCS any day,.,

greentshirt · 03/12/2013 22:04

My baby is breech at the moment (although im only 22 weeks so plenty of time for him to move). As im a research hound I have already looked into what I would do and I wouldnt consider ECV, straight to a section for me. That seems to be the general consensus at my local hospital too.

Original poster

MiracleOntheM4 · 04/12/2013 08:18

Thank you all so much for sharing thoughts and anecdotes.

DH and I are veering in the ELCS route. I will however try moxibustion if I can get an appointment before Monday.

OP posts:

Seeline · 04/12/2013 08:27

I had a successful ECV with DD. she was transverse rather than full breach so I suppose not as far to go
Whilst uncomfortable I didn't really find it painful, and I am sure it was preferable to a c-section (especially as I had a toddler at home too). I would certainly have given it a go with any future pgs if the need had arisen. Good luck with whatever you decide.

BetterWithCheese · 04/12/2013 08:58

Have a look at the Baby Spinning website as well as there are some tips for turning breech babies, including inversions. My baby was breech at 28 weeks so did a lot of research as well and I would have gone for ELCS if baby didn't turn. But then I had an awful labour with DC1 so am approaching birth this time with a bit of trepidation!

YomAsalYomBasal · 04/12/2013 09:00

I had 3 ECVs and tried moxibustion, spinning babies etc. ECVs were awful and I would not recommend the experience to anyone. Had a calm elcs in the end with an uneventful recovery.

Original poster

MiracleOntheM4 · 04/12/2013 09:46

Seeline the toddler factor is my biggest concern about ELCS. My nearly three year old is being unusually clingy at the moment, wanting to be carried, fed etc. so if I then have to tell her to be extra careful near me (but bfing the baby) she will find the new arrival even harder I think.

OP posts:

Artesia · 04/12/2013 10:17

I was in this position a couple of weeks ago (baby eventually turned itself, although at 39 weeks is now still flipping around all the time...). I looked into it and decided I wouldn't risk an ECV. Although I appreciate it is usually fine for the baby, the severity of the situation if it goes wrong means it just wasn't worth the risk to me.

Also, going purely on my experience, would have been a waste of time - even once it goes head down, there is no guarantee it will stay there.

dashoflime · 04/12/2013 10:23

I've never had an ECV. I've had a caesarean though. It was much nicer than I expected. The birth is over in about 20 mins and you get to meet your baby!
Recovery is a bit of a pain. I was in hospital for a weekend, taking some interesting painkillers and generally farting around. Then your supposed to take it easy for 2 weeks.
Really not too bad though

quackojuliet · 04/12/2013 11:45

i think i would decline an ECV too.
don't they scan just before a ELCS to confirm position? I would probably try all of the spinning babies tricks, moxibustion, acupuncture etc with the ELCS booked, and hope that he/she turned alone.
a friend at my yoga class went along to her ELCS as baby was breech, and the baby turned during the scan! it was quite emotional for her as she had been geared up to meet her baby in a matter of hours.

hedgehogy · 04/12/2013 12:02

I had to make this decision earlier this year. After doing some research, I declined an ECV and opted for an ELCS. With the risks and poor success rate (they discovered my baby was breech quite late on) I didn't feel it was worth going through. Which was a good job as when they found out the next available slot for one out of interest (despite me declining) it was the day before my due date!

I had the ELCS at 39 weeks and had an amazing experience, despite being really upset about the prospect of having one when I found out baby was breech.

I'm glad I declined the ECV. I had a large baby (despite measuring spot on for an average baby according to my midwife) and there's no way it would have worked.

littone · 04/12/2013 12:07

I had ECV with baby number 2, no pain at during or after. Consultant who performed it had never had a baby get into distress whilst performing it. Wanted to try and avoid CS so decided to go for ECV on the basis that I could stop at any point if too painful, but was pain free anyway. Had tried ideas from inning babies site for weeks before and unable to get moxibustion appointment before ECV. Mine was done at 38 weeks. Am expecting again and would definately attempt ECV again if needed and other methods don't work.

SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 04/12/2013 12:56

I have read that thread.
Im PG now and whatever happens I wont be having an ECV.

mrscookie78 · 04/12/2013 13:58

I had an ecv with my first as he was frank breech and very stuck. To be honest it was awful and looking back I shouldn't of gone for that option. not great to have one at 39 weeks with a full grown baby was very painful as well.

pumpkinsweetie · 04/12/2013 14:16

I'm having a growth scan tomorrow due to bmi and so far unsure as to which way up baby is as new mw says she cannot palpate me accurately. I'm nearly 36 weeks, and i'm sure she is breech. I have already asked the mw which birth i'll be heading towards if she is and i have been told most probably c-section.

Tbh i would rather have the c-section as the turning thing looks to be very painful and due to having a bmi of 38 i doubt whether it would be possible to turn her x

winterpansy · 04/12/2013 14:34

I'm in the same boat miracle. Baby is breech at 35+6 and am being referred to the breech clinic to discuss options next week. I've already said I won't be having the ECV so it's section for me. They have said 39 weeks for me too - but that is Christmas Day! I am hoping I can persuade the consultant next week to do it the week before Christmas as I am nearly housebound with SPD, have GD and baby is very small (8th percentile) so I just want her out safely for my own sanity! Not looking forward to recovery after section as have DS (2.5) to look after but am so looking forward to not being pregnant any more! Maybe our babies will turn - fingers crossed for everyone!

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