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Original poster

ECV or elective caesarean?

13 replies

Isbit · 30/12/2013 19:49

Hello, I'm 37 weeks pregnant with my first baby and he/she is extended breech. Think to be honest they've always been breech. The hospital have offered us option of ECV to try to turn the baby manually, booking in at 39 weeks for an elective c-section or vaginal breech delivery (with the caveat this is dependant on experienced staff being available). I'm not at all keen on attempting a breech delivery but I've been terrifying myself with reading horror stories about ECV procedures going wrong and the downsides of a caesarean for the baby. I just want to do the safest thing for the baby, but it seems to be really hard to find an unbiased view of what the safest thing to do is. (The hospital have been very neutral so far with no attempt to push us one way of another.) I just wondered if anyone had been in a similar position and could share any thoughts about what they did. Thanks very much

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Stom91 · 30/12/2013 20:12

No advice bumping for you.
If I was in your position I would choose a c-section over an ECV any day.
There's too much at risk for me to even attempt a ECV

Good luck xx

Shellywelly1973 · 30/12/2013 20:52

I'm 36 weeks & still hoping she'll turn...

I will be watching your thread with interest.

Best of luck. X x x

mumtoacub · 30/12/2013 21:03

I opted for a elective c section with my breech baby. The success rate was to low and putting myself and baby through another procedure before birth could not be justified. If the success rate had been higher i may have gone for it. I had a very positive experience with my c- section although ds had a phlegmy rattley chest and has had recurrent chest problem ( relatively minor) I read this is higher incidence in c- section babies and obviously we could both have done without it but I know plenty born by section without this issue. It's a difficult decision I spent a long time fretting over whether to have a Evc.

LexieSinclair · 30/12/2013 21:12

I also chose a c section over ECV with my breech baby. It was absolutely fine, very straightforward and no complications for DD.

Ilovekittyelise · 30/12/2013 21:18

im not sure what i would do if it was my first, but havinghad a not very good first vb with my son i would have the elcs.

HalfPintPickle · 30/12/2013 21:25

I had an ECV and it didn't work - they had me monitored during the proceedure and for an hour or so after to make sure baby was ok. Needed up being booked for a section a week later.

I'm pleased I tried the ECV but to be frank, if my current pregnancy was breeched, I'd not have the ECV again. I'd go straight for the section.

januarysnowdrop · 30/12/2013 21:34

I had a vaginal breech delivery (they didn't realise she was breech until the very last minute) and wouldn't recommend them! Tricky one, this. I suspect if she'd been diagnosed I'd have given an ECV a go but would have been happy to end up with a CS if necessary. If you're worried about ECV, I reckon you should just go for a CS. I hope it all goes well.

MissYamabuki · 30/12/2013 21:37

Hi Isbit, I would choose a c section over ECV.

I think that ECV is more risky than it seems. I'll explain... I am Rhesus - and DP is Rhesus + so I had antiD injections during the pregnancy (to stop me producing any potentially baby-damaging antibodies). MW told me to let her know if I had bleeds / accidents / falls and they would give me an antiD top-up as anything that causes an internal bleed can trigger the antibodies. Thing is, they give you an anti-D top-up after the ECV - in other words, they expect the procedure to cause at least some internal bleeding... not something I'd go through willingly... DD was breech but turned week 35 the night before my appointment with the consultant...

Hope it all goes OK for you, good luck!

littone · 30/12/2013 22:00

I had successful ECV with baby no 2 and would do so again. In my circumstances there was a greater risk of issues if I had a section so wanted to give ECV a go. I had tried all spinning babies website ideas for weeks without success and was going to try moxibustion but could not get an appointment in time. I found the procedure pain free (and would have had no issue asking them to stop if I found it to painful). The consultant who performed it also told me she had never had a baby get distressed as a result of the procedure. An ECV is less likely to Work with first babies though as you still have strong tummy muscles. Good luck with whatever you decide is right for you. X

tgamble13 · 30/12/2013 22:37

am in the same boat. 37 weeks tomorrow and still breeched. my oh and myself turned down the ecv and have opted for elcs. am still hoping she'll turn Confused couldnt justify the ecv for myself personally

Anothermrssmith · 30/12/2013 23:27

I was breach up until a few weeks ago though baby turned before it got to the stage of having serious discussions on how to proceed but have no doubt I would have taken a section over ECV any day of the week. Frankly they look barbaric and for me there was too much risk. There was an episode of One Born Every Minute (not sure if it was on more 4 or really) I saw last week where a woman had an ECV that didn't work and ended up with a section but she seemed happy with her decision to try it, may be worth trying to find it see if that helps make up your mind?

Original poster
Isbit · 31/12/2013 09:51

Thank you very much for all your comments, it's been really helpful

OP posts:
fruitpastille · 31/12/2013 09:57

I had unsuccessful ecv followed by straightforward elcs. A good friend had been successful with ecv and birth which probably influenced me. I found ecv very uncomfortable but not that bad. I have since had a failed vbac and have to decide between vb2c orcelcs for no. 3

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