Breech clinic tomorrow- Can I refuse ECV?

[Whatthefreakinwhatnow]

Just that really, I now a couple of people who have had it done, found it ridiculously uncomfortable and then they baby has returned to the breech position anyway!

This is DC3, I've had 2 natural labours, I won't feel I'm missing anything by having a c section, so if still breech tomorrow at scan (which he will be, I can see the head under my ribs!) I'd rather just get on and plan my ELCS.

Am I going to have a big fight on my hands?! And if they agree to my section are they likely to book it there and then, given I'm 37 weeks now?

Thanks in advance for any help!

I spoke to my hospital about this but it wasnt recommended. For that reason the midwife explained that althought they are all trained in breech delivery they have often lost rhe specialities to do it but obviously are trained as they could come across one. Its great you had a specialist team

I had a successful ECV, it was fine

Breech delivery is normally something I like the idea of- I have Inflammatory Bowel Disease and it cases me enough problems as it is, I won't do anything that could end in a 4th degree tear- incontinence would just finish me off

I have decided on ELCS, I just wanted to know he likely it would be for them to try and pressure me into a ECV.

Thank you though!

normally should be not, stupid phone!

My hospital had a 24 hour discharge protocol for the elective section so you could ask about something similar.

You don't have to justify it to them. You just say, 'No, I don't want that.' 'Why?' 'I chose to keep my personal reasons private.' And keep repeating.

I refused ecv. I was asked why (my mum had it several times with my brother, who turned back every time, turns out he had the cord around his neck and suffered some brain damage at birth as a result)

But, I was very clear, and they accepted my answer without question. I have heard of some people being pressured. Just be firm.

My c section was great. I stayed in two nights, they did say they would have wanted me in for 3or4 if I had young children at home.

Goid luck!

Don't justify it. The risks for the baby are unacceptable IMO.

My DC1 was breech and turned the right way round the night before my appointment to decide about and ECV

If you are clear on your decision and come across that way I would be very surprised if they try to pressure you. Have confidence - you know what is right for you and your little one. Let us know how you get on.

Thanks all! I'll be confident in my decision and won't be swayed lol!

Will let you know how the appointment goes

I would not consent to ECV - the risks are in my opinion higher than an elcs. Cord compression, abruption, tangling.
You don't need to explain - you just say you're aware of the risks of both elcs and ECV and you don't vonsentvto ecv.
Don't be in a hurry to be discharged - I spent mon-fri in (private room as is standard here) and that was about right for us. Good luck! The section was fine - the pain from the spd before was worse!

Yes tell me about it! SPD, sciatica and a dodgy hip are making me pretty miserable! I'm not worried about the pain at all, I've had several big ops on my lifetime and live with chronic bowel pain so will be fine

I won't rush home though if I'mnot ready, I wouldn't be much use to anyone. I just find it impossible to sleep in hospital and would miss the other two

Thankfully they have 10-6 visiting hours for children and partners so they can come and see me if I am in longer than 1 night.

I haven't had an ECV (but I did have a breech twin turn himself head down at 37+3- I was scanned a few days before, he was definitely still breech) and it hurt like hell when he turned. I could feel his movements better too. I had my ELCS at 37+6 and the consultant was shocked he was head down- they thought I was wrong and he'd still be breech.

Anyway, I had a good recovery, I took fruit and peppermint tea into the hospital to aid the First Poo (and had no problems with it despite being prone to constipation anyway). I took all be painkillers offered while in hospital, had no real pain- until I was sick on day 6 after feeling nauseous a couple of days before, due to the mws giving me anti inflammatories on an empty stomach. Bar that,the section was no problem. Once you feel okay you can drive again. I waa driving 2 weeks afterwards. I checked with my GP and insurance company first but it was fine. I was in 4 nights but I had a 1 year old at home and my husband was quite unwell- in and out o the medical ward having investigations, so I stayed a bit longer than I'd have liked.

I know 3 people who have had ECV- one being me. 1 worked, 2 didn't.

I discharged myself 2 nights after an elective section due to the hell that is the postnatal ward but wasnt able to drive for the full 6 weeks and couldn't walk more than about 10 steps for a week. Most people I know who had a section went back to driving after about 4- worth considering if you need to drive.

My hospital also discharge after 24 hours if possible. I was walking around the ward the same day and begged to be discharged despite slightly dodgy iron levels. Driving after 3 1/2 weeks. See how you go - you won't be discharged the same day but you could well feel ready the day after.

Good to hear i might get back to driving a bit quicker than the 6 weeks I thought, though if I don't it won't be the end of the world as DP will be off so can drop off/pick up eldest from school, DD2 is only 16 month's so doesn't need ferrying anywhere!

Don't overdo it after a section - you really do need to rest or you'll set yourself back. I had quite a complex one (anterior placenta that needed to be avoided and various other things which meant the incision was bigger than normal.) I felt ok after about a week and did a bit too much and it knocked me back. You'll be back on form quicker if you do rest as much as you can for a few weeks. There's always a few on threads like this that say they were back scaling Everest 3.5 nanoseconds after the stitches were out - not knocking them, fab thatcthey had a good recovery but that's not the norm. The norm is to be shuffling round the room after several hours and discharged after 3 days, then a good week of MINIMAL activity with improvement after.
I felt like I'd been run over the first couple of days but I did improve quickly. The spd didn't improve for a year though - it only got much better when I finally saw an osteopath. I'm a scientist so not at all into woo/alternative stuff but she was incredibly good - just cracked my pelvis back into shape and there was a huge improvement within days. Definitely worth a go if you can get a good recommendation. It's made a big difference to me - not entirely ok still but I'm able to move without pain.

Good luck with it. I'm hoping to have a maternal choice elcs for no 2 if we ever get round to it.

The section was hard for the first week, and I wasn't going very far. But I was absolutely fine, out at farm parks and toddler groups with the 1 year old (and dts of course) having driven us all there. I was never only able to do 10 steps, yikes! I lost more blood than usual too due to it being twins. I hope you have a smooth recovery OP.

I wouldn't agree to an evc either. This baby switches between transverse and head down. If it comes to it, I plan on refusing evc too so would be interested to hear how you get on.

Well, I have to say it was absolutely fine! I said I'd researched all the options and wanted an ELCS, she said OK, let's book it then so all sorted for 39 weeks!

Great news! Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy

I just mentioned not being comfortable and the consultant was like right shall we book you in for a cesarean! Like you I was shocked, thought I'd have to fight it. They can't force you to do anything with your body you're not comfortable with and they're also aware ECVs have a very limited success rate, good luck

Have been lurking on this thread and I'm really pleased you didn't get pressured!

DS was breech and I was told in a round about way that at 37 weeks I would more or less be bullied into agreeing to an ECV.

I went away and read up on it loads, posted on here and got loads of good advice, got myself all geared up for an argument and it was really quite stressful!

At 37 weeks the midwife thought he had turned head down so it never actually happened anyway. As it turns out he hadn't turned at all and instead I had to argue for a scan after my waters had gone at 37+5 as I was adamant that he hadn't turned and thought he was still breech.

He was and so I opted for an EMCS rather than a breech delivery.

That's great op. Glad your opinion was valued.

Please come back and let us know how you and your little one are doing.

I'm in exactly the same position and was against the idea of an ECV. So I think I will refuse also. Good luck OP.