ECV vs. ELCS

[artisticat]

Just wondered if anyone has had experience making this decision?

I'm booked in for a presentation scan next week as baby is still breech at 36 weeks (has been in this position for 3/4 weeks now). In the case she doesn't turn in the next week I've been thinking about the choice of ECV vs ELCS.

I was really hoping for a natural birth, however the more I read about ECV the less I want to give it a go.

ELCS worries me as recovery time is longer, this is baby no.1, and I've seen multiple people worrying about VBAC.

Part of me also worries about post natal depression being worse after ELCS as the labour hormones won't be there.. I've struggled with anxiety and depression for 7 years medically and probably about 15 years total so am keen to do all I can to avoid any triggers.

If anyone has been through this choice and has words of wisdom I'd be keen to hear!

Hello
My baby was breech and stayed that way despite my best efforts (moxybustion, birthing ball etc...) I considered ECV but like you I was put off the more I read about it. It sounds like it can be very painful, potentially risky, and quite possibly unsuccessful (particularly if done close to full term).

So in the end I went for a ELCS at 40+2, and although I know people have very different experiences, for me it was great. I healed really well, and it was a really positive experience. I was frightened on the day, but the hospital staff were very kind and reassuring. I have a very supportive DH, and I think this can be very important in terms of having the time to recover well. He brought me so much food and drink in the first two weeks so I could sit on the sofa holding and feeding the baby, and recovering. We made sure I had time to properly look after myself and keep the wound clean etc. I was up and about v quickly, although you need to be careful not to overdo it.

I'm pregnant again now, and seriously considering requesting another ELCS because the first was so positive compared to other birth experiences I have heard of. I would say, I have no history of depression, so cannot comment on that, hopefully someone else can.

I was able to have skin to skin contact v soon after the birth, breastfed successfully for a long time (if that's something you might want to do), and have a really lovely bond with my son, so an ELCS can really work out. I hope whatever you decide works out for you.

Ecv worked a treat for me
No pain
Took a couple of mins max

An EVC is a risky procedure. Honestly, I would have the ELCS. There used to be lady on here who suffered a placental abruptuon, which is a rare but recognised complication of an EVC. Sadly her baby died.
I don’t want to scare you, but you really need to weigh us the risks. I’ve had a vaginal birth and an EMCS and both come with their own problems. I can honestly say that I recovered very quickly from the section.

I had a ELCS as baby was oblique breech. It was fantastic and will do it again with this one. I’d had terrible anxiety throughout pregnancy (I’d had 3 MCs in a year) so always thought getting a baby at the end would be too good to be true but I didn’t suffer any postnatal depression.
I was discharged at 24hrs on the dot (my request was to go home as soon as I was able, they weren’t trying to get rid of me!) and I was back Driving at 2 weeks post op. The scar is very small and healed very fast. I can’t fault the experience at all. Good luck with your choice.