ECV experiences?

[lulumamasmentee]

Hi Everyone

I saw my midwife today and baby is still breech (32+4) she want's me to consider ECV at 36wks if he still hasn't turned. All I have read about this seems to be quite negative is there anybody around who has an actual experience of having their baby turned or can talk me through what they will do.

I would like to avoid a c section at all costs as i'm booked for a home birth at the moment.

Thanks in advance

have you looked at natural ways to try to turn a breech including moxibustion and pulsatilla?

I have been taking the pulsatilla for about 4 days now, I spoke with the homeopath and she said not for more than 6 days at a time so fingers crossed! I am looking into the moxibustion and reflexology things now, I reaaaalllllyyyyy want this baby to turn

have you asked the baby ? have you got the janet balaskas active birth book..good tips in there

and www.gentlebirth.org

asked the baby to turn !

check out [http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1365&threadid=30082 7#6042722 this thread]

I had it done with DD (my first) at 37wks. Procedure itself was absolutely fine, but she turned back breech again 2 days later....grrr....

My hospital will only do EVC once you get to 37 weeks though, to ensure baby is at term, as there is a slight risk of needing an emergency c/s if baby gets distressed.

She turned again herself at 38+5, but that's another story, I just say that so you know babies can & do turn late, despite what they tell you, even big babies (she was 8lb8.5oz when born at 39+4)

I found this guide quite useful

ignore the thread link, didn't work

it's this one

In terms of what it involved, if I remember correctly

1 nothing to eat or drink after midnight except water, then no water after 6am

2 arrive at delivery suite (we had hopsital bag in car just in case...) They monitor baby for half an hour to check everything is ok.

3 Assuming monitoring ok, put up a drip with drugs to relax your uterus

4. Once drugs have worked consultant comes & does the hands bit. I found it mildy uncomfortable, but then DD turned almost immediately, other people have found it quite painful. (they will scan with mobile scanner before & after jsut to check baby's position)

5. Back on monitor for half an hour just to check baby is okay, then tea & toast & then home.

There is a slight risk of baby getting distressed in which case they may need to do an emergency c/s, but I thought it better than 100% risk of a c/s with a breech baby.

BetsyBoop, thanks for the link it was just what I was looking for.

I think I will go for it if the baby still hasn't turned, does anybody know when they are likely to do it though, my next appointment with the midwife isn't until 36/37 weeks and she said we'll see where he is then isn't that a bit late if he still hasn't turned to start booking consultant appointments etc.

I think i'm just concerned i'm going to go into early labour with him still breech as my first dd came at 39 wks and i've been having lots of show etc (although I think thats more to do with him kicking my cervix etc as he's footling at the minute!)

Thanks for all the replies, Lulumama I have asked in fact i've practically begged!

I've posted about ECV quite a lot, if you do a search under my name and ECV you should find it.

I was advised to spend a lot of time on my hands and knees and there are some fab suggestions on the internet for 'old wives tails' to make them turn. The funniest was when I was led on the bed, legs up, torch near my private areas and something cold near his head. The theory is that they head for the light and away from the cold I had an ECV but unfortunately it did not work - do not be afraid to say you want to stop the procedure at any time. I spent a lot of time researching breech pregnancy / delivery and all in all I am happy I had a c-section.

Hope everything goes well for you