Have you ever had an attempt at turning a transverse lie?

[blushingmare]

I'm going for a scan next week because the midwife thinks baby is transverse. She said if it is they'll try to turn it during the scan. I don't know what this involves, but does it mean I should take anyone with me to the scan? I was planning on going on my own, but then thought if they're going to do anything horrible or involving gas and air or anything then maybe I won't want to drive home?

haven't had it done but I've heard it's pretty painful :s

How far along are you? DD kept going transverse overnight at about 32 weeks or so - I could feel her head and bum on each side (and it bloody hurt, she bruised me). She used to lie in my pelvic floor like a hammock when she was smaller and I think it took her a while to figure out that she didn't fit there any more! Anyway, when she did it, I waited until she was awake and then did this. Worked every time.

I'm 37 weeks

Don't wish to alarm you but my 3rd baby was discovered to be transverse at 37 weeks & I was hospitalised immediately due to inherent dangers of spontaneous labour with baby in that position.

I refused turning (ECV) as had heard horror stories about it. Was booked in for c section on my due date but DS3 turned head down the night before. I was discharged home & had to go back every other day for a scan to check he stayed head down. Eventually induced at 42+1.

Longest 5 weeks of my life.

Try to talk to someone who had the ECV (turning the baby round from the outside) so you can decide for yourself. The NHS protocol is to try ECV to avoid a c-section but it's your choice. I talked to someone who had it and it was a) unsuccessful b) had to be stopped due to the baby being in distress from it which put me off. I also felt I was being pressured into having it when my son was in breech and the midwife (not my usual lovely midwife) was very matter of fact about it. I really wanted a natural birth but decided to risk having to have a c-section rather than have an ECV. But I was a particularly anxious pregnant woman so like I said, find out more and make your own decision. Good luck, hun.

Ok thanks. I must admit I hadn't really realised it was quite that serious. My midwife was quite laid back about it, but maybe she was just trying not to panic me! I've just been assuming that it's actually head down and the scan was just a double check... God I really don't want to be hospitalised til the birth - that would be horrendous, not to mention sad for my toddler Do you have to make a decision there and then if they do find it's transverse, or will I be able to go home and think about it?

Better start doing some head stands over the weekend....

I wasn't even allowed to make a decision. I went straight from my antenatal check to the ward.
My eldest two had chicken pox so couldn't come & visit me for 2 weeks until their spots had crusted over.

From what I've heard, different consultants have differing ECV success rates. Try & research beforehand if you can.

They should explain all the risks of ECV to you before you have it. In addition to potentially distressing the baby there is a (low) risk of placental abruption. And skill of the consultant makes a huge difference in outcome - if you decide to go ahead you should find out their success rate. I have friends who've had babies easily turned from breech by ECV but it doesn't always work.