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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

sucess stories? breech at 36 weeks

16 replies

starfish99 · 14/10/2014 15:26

hi - just found out that my baby is breech at 36 weeks. I know the baby's health is all that matters in the end but I had my heart set on a natural water birth but dr seemed to think there is no chance of it turning now. She said the liklihood of an ecv working is about 5% despite the nhs stats saying 50%.

Anyone have any success stories for baby turning at this stage - either naturally or with ecv?

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lupo5 · 14/10/2014 15:54

I personally don't have that experience but my baby was transverse until 32 weeks when scan did show baby moved head down (I hope baby will stay that way..)
The thing is ,sometimes they do turn around even last minute.Don't loose hope and try to walk more,use ball for support -rock backward and forward on it,make circles on it ...Good luck

VodIsGod · 14/10/2014 16:02

I had a successful ECV at 36 weeks, it took 5 minutes, then monitoring for an hour. The obstetrician at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford was well known for his success with this procedure tho. Went on to have DS2 in birthing pool at a community midwife unit 4 weeks later.

Find out what your options are but there's always the possibility the baby might turn on it's own?

WftsC · 14/10/2014 18:50

I had a surprisingly successful ECV last week at 36 weeks.
Wasn't painful, and head is still down so fingers crossed!

mineofuselessinformation · 14/10/2014 19:05

First dc turned spontaneously at 38 weeks - driving down a very bumpy road! Was painful (I thought I was having contractions) but they stayed put after that.

pinkteapots · 14/10/2014 20:06

I had a brilliant ecv at 38 weeks. Took a minute, maybe minute and a half. That was two weeks ago today, and baby is still head down now.

36 weeks isnt too late for an ecv at all, in fact 37 weeks is very normal (they did mine at 38 weeks as its not my first baby and tummy muscles wouldnt be as tight - but 36/37 weeks is normal for 1st time mums anyway).

I'd question why you were told its too late and the liklihood of success is low in your case. There may genuinely be a reason such as if the baby's bum is engaged that makes it harder and they may not even attempt it, or the particular breech position can make it more or less likely to work. Transverse and oblique tend to turn more easily than frank breech. I dont think i'd take the excuse of '36 weeks is too late', but I would ask for more information, it could be there are otger good reasons. If there arent, either you might have an awkward HCP (not unheard of!) or a HCP who is scared of trying an ecv due for instance to their personal fail rates. In fact, i'd ask what the success rates for ecv are at your hospital, and the personal success rate of ecv as done by your consultant - they may vary, be good to know.

I'm aware I had a great experience, having been quite nervous of the ecvbut as always thats just my story.research your hospital and your consultant and dont be afraid to ask questions, its much easier to feel at peace with decisions when they are informed and you feel respected.

Good luck!

CuppaSarah · 14/10/2014 20:42

DD was breech at 36 weeks, I too was desperate for a home water birth. She turned though, I got on my hands and knees in the bath and the warm water relaxed me which i think helped. It felt bloody weird when she turned though. I think she turned about the 37/38 week mark, my hospital were very relaxed about the ECV and didn't even book me in for the scan to confirm position till 38 weeks. So 3 weeks is not too late at all.

In the end from the first contraction the water birth went out the window and I wanted to be laid on my back in a bed anyway.

wingcommandergallic · 14/10/2014 20:46

I had a successful ecv around 37 weeks then had a home birth. The consultant had a 100% success rate that day. (3 mothers)

VeryStressedMum · 14/10/2014 20:49

Ds was breach at 37 weeks and they turned him. Was in for a few hours was given a muscle relaxant and eventually he turned himself as I lay there.

shatteredstudentmum · 14/10/2014 21:13

Ds2 was transverse at 36 weeks then went breech by 37. I used tips from this website and he turned himself by 38 weeks.

Still had cs due to other factors but he stayed head down after he turned.
spinningbabies.com/baby-positions/breech-bottoms-up/305-body-work-for-breech

Original poster

starfish99 · 15/10/2014 00:15

thank you so much for your replies. I had a look at the spinning babies site and will try some of those.

I hope there is still time. .. the dr ws just so negative and said only 5% of ecvs work - despite the fact that the nhs leaflet she gave me said 50% are successful. She also said that ecvs are dangerous and if there was a problem I would have to have an emergency c-section under general without my partner. felt like she was scare-mongering unnecessarily when I was already in an emotional state.

A c-section wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, I just hate it when drs don't give you any stats - or give you contradictory confusing stats - and then push you into making a decision when you haven't got a clue and are scared and emotional.

Definitely taking my husband to the next appointment.

Thanks again ladies!

OP posts:

wingcommandergallic · 15/10/2014 07:08

She's right to point out the risk and premature labour leading to emcs is a risk of ecv. However that risk is less than 1% if I recall correctly and you arrive at hospital prepped for a c section so you're in a good situation if the worst happens.

GailLondon · 15/10/2014 11:34

My baby was breech at 36 weeks and had turned naturally by 38 weeks. Good luck!

Stripylikeatiger · 15/10/2014 16:10

I second the spinning babies website, my baby was breach at 36 weeks but after only a couple of tries at the excersises he is now head down, he's really big, he was predicted to be nearly 8 pounds at 36 weeks and I'm not very tall so if there was room for him to move then there is hope for you! :)

MrsMarcJacobs · 17/10/2014 03:28

my baby was transverse breech and turned at 38 weeks with no prompting.

Bellyrub1980 · 17/10/2014 03:38

My baby turned spontaneously in the middle of the night before the positioning scan at 37 weeks!

It was the strangest feeling, a bit like the way your tummy flips over on a roller coaster.

Mishi1 · 13/01/2020 13:45

I tried ECV twice at John Radcliffe Hospital 37 weeks pregnant .First attempt failed due to babies position and also I was stressed out. I decided to try for a second time the doctor was amazing he’s called MP it dint hurt and in 25 seconds he moved the baby. Super happy as I don’t need c section now phew. First attempt did hurt to be honest but I do think it depends on who is carrying out the procedure. I recommend ECV it is totally worth it if you don’t want a c section. The medicine does make your heart beat fast but lasts only a minute or less. It is not bad for you or the baby try and relax doctors know afar they are doing :) I thank all the John Radcliffe Hospital staff who helped me and doctor MP he’s a star.

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