My baby was transverse at 36 weeks (sideways - even more problematic than breech in that vaginal delivery is simply not an option) and I was booked in for an ECV but it had turned itself round! I was v happy but I am still wondering if it might turn round again (I have high levels of fluid which makes odd positions more likely apparently!)
Anyway - the consultant who met me re the ECV was v understanding that not everyone wants this, he said to book in for it and if I decided on the day that I didn't want it, no problem at all, we would use the appointment to talk through a section instead. I asked if he would advise his wife/sister to have the ECV and he said yes, but he was very understanding that I might not want it.
I did some reading online and the consensus seems to be that ECVs used to be a 'thing' but were then very much out of favour for a long time, so although they are now routinely offered a lot of people are still a bit funny about them. I believe the chance of distressing the baby or disrupting the placenta (either of which would lead to an emergency section) is less than 1%. Chance of baby turning back round is about 5% I think. Having said that, I did feel funny about having one and planned to ask for gas and air!!! Lots of women say it is uncomfortable but a small number experience real pain so I figured why not take what I could?!
Success rates vary WILDLY so I read that you should ask the consultant for YOUR chances of success - s/he should take into account your age, weight, race (random, I know!), past history, position of baby etc plus his or her own success record to give you a clearer idea of the likelihood that an ECV will work for you. If I asked about this and felt fobbed off at all it would put me off having the procedure to be honest.
Vaginal breech delivery - I think this is routinely offered if you have no other issues and if you have delivered vaginally before. I don't think they tend to promote it if you haven't delivered vaginally before.
Sorry not to be able to tell you about an actual ECV experience, I was lucky I didn't have to decide in the end, but I was planning to attempt it in order to avoid a section (vaginal delivery not an option for me unless baby turned). Remember you can tell them to stop at any point.
Whatever you decide, just go for it - you could have an ECV or aim for vaginal delivery and still end up with a section so keep an open mind. Also try to keep your stress levels low.... if you feel uncomfortable with an ECV then don't feel pressured into it. However much you think about these things or plan for them, you can't be sure how or when your baby will make its appearance and in the end, the method won't matter as long as you are both well!!
Best of luck x