( 36+4 weeks). Baby in breach. Potential ECV on the cards. EEEEK.

[Daisy92]

Okay, so on my last midwife's appointment (at 34 weeks) she said that my DS was in a breach position. She mentioned that if he's still in such a position at my 36 week appointment then she'd need to book me in for an ECV (external cephalic version). As far as I'm aware he hasn't moved, and my next appointment is tomorrow.. Eeep.

Now, I've done a stupid thing and I've googled THE HELL out of the ECV procedure, which tries to turn the baby into a head-down position by applying pressure on the abdomen. It looks VILE, seriously painful, and it surely has to distress the hell out of the baby? PLUS, it's only effective 58% of the time... Ergh.

I've also foolishly googled the risks, which include: twisting or squeezing of the umbilical cord, resulting in reduced blood flow and oxygen to the baby; and the beginning of labor, which can be caused by rupture of the amniotic sac around the fetus..

So, naturally I'm nervous and praying that my baby moves naturally over the next 24 hours.

Has anyone on here had this procedure? Was it as bad as I'm imagining?

I had it 14 years ago. DD was transverse and having a 2yo at home i wanted to try and avoid a C-section. However, I really don't remember being told of all the risks at all. Maybe I was and in the shock of it all, they just didn't go in.
Any way I had it done - it was uncomfortable, but not painful. I had to stay at the hospital for a couple of hours afterwards to be monitored. She turned fine, and remained in place until I went into labour (I think) a couple of weeks later, but it was a long time ago and I can't remember the time frame. It certainly wasn't straight away.
DD was born with the cord around her neck, and the cord did have a complete knot in it as well. Luckily the MW spotted the possibility and was ready for an appropriate delivery. All was fine.
However, with the benefit of hindsight, and the knowledge I have subsequently picked up, I do wonder whether the cord issues were a result of the ECV.
It's a decision only you can make - remember you don't have to go through with it if you don't want to.

Just say no if you don't want it. I said I'd thought about it and discussed with my husband and I'd like to book an elective section. The consultant agreed and they booked my c section that day. They didn't try and talk me into it. Like you, I'd googled it and it sounded awful.

My baby was breech all the way through, but I did say that if he turned on his own then I'd wait to go into labour naturally.

You don’t have to say yes, your baby, your body.

Google a website called “spinning babies”, lots of good ideas on there to get babies to turn.

You can say no tomorrow and ask to re-assess in a few more days/a week to see if baby has moved.

Don’t let her pressure you into it if you don’t want it!

A friend of mine decided against this and ended up having a scheduled c section instead. Totally your choice.

You don't have to yes, why has the midwife phrased it as she 'has to' book you in for one?

Like everything else it is a choice and up to you to decide. It's good you have googled and researched the risks to help inform YOUR decision.

I was given the option of ELCS or ECV. Hospital def did not push ECV at all and I'm glad I didn't have it as my cord was v long and DS was wrapped in it (thus ended up having EMCS even though he turned head down at 38 weeks!). I was scared of the possible complications and low success rates, however my cousin had a successful one a couple of months ago and she didn't find it particularly painful.

She doesn’t NEED to book you in. you can say no. there’s no way i’d have one one. I’d opt for an ELCS instead.

My dd turned by herself (did spinning babies exercises!) at 37 weeks but I wouldn't have had the ECV if she hadn't, I wasn't convinced about the success rate vs the risks.

I had an ECV last week as DC2 was still Breech at almost 38 weeks.

I’d say it was uncomfortable but not painful, definitely less painful than a c section recovery.

Consultant explained the success rates and the risks, and given the monitoring they under take before and afterwards (standard timings detailed in NICE guidance) I felt ok to go ahead. I was also booked in for an additional scan a week later to check baby was still head down.

Before the procedure the consultant checked cord position etc. So it all felt very considered and safe.

You don’t have to have it, and if you refuse your options are c section or breech birth.

Good luck!

Ps. Mine was successful and success rates in second or subsequent pregnancies is much higher than first time pregnancies.