ECV experiences please (very awkwardly positioned baby

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Hi all - I’m booked in for an ECV tomorrow (37+6 weeks pregnant). Trying to keep an open mind as I have read a lot of mixed opinions on ECV and know there’s only about a 50% success rate. I’m getting myself worked up about this as not only is my baby lying breech (and has been since about 32 weeks) at my last midwife appointment 2 days ago, she said baby was breech, slightly oblique and posterior (meaning facing forwards I think). She claimed that in her whole career she’s never had to palpate such an odd baby position and wishes there was a window to see exactly what baby’s doing in there! So I’m worrying that I could be putting baby at risk trying to turn her, when she’s lying in such an odd way and seems happy enough as she is. Any thoughts or similar experiences??

I've just refused and opted for a c section.

My obstetrician is very anti ecv so didn't push it. She was very "you can try and get her turned" and all about the low chances etc.

A couple of my friends have had ecvs and neither worked and caused them to panic after too due to the risks (which are higher if unsuccessful).

It's a personal decision but I don't see the point in putting yourself and baby through a difficult and uncomfortable procedure which is unlikely to work and less safe than a c section.

Plus vaginal birth is very over rated!

Personally I wouldn't consent to ECV. Why take the risk when ELCS is so safe?

I wouldn't choose ECV, but if I did, I would be quizzing the dr heavily about their experience and success rates and the outcomes. I would be concerned by her statement that she'd never done an ECV in the position your baby is in before.

I wouldn’t choose an ECV either

I had a ECV last year. Awkward big breech baby. It wasn't particular painful just odd and very uncomfortable. I really wanted a natural birth because of another issues but sadly my LO didn't want to budge! Her bum was already engaged. For me it was absolutely worth trying but I ended up having the ELCS.

I wouldn’t have an ECV, I’d try the advice on the spinning babies website and if that didn’t work I’d have a section.

I had one 14 years ago. DD was transverse. I had a toddler and didn't really want a C-Section. (Due to complications with first labour, I was expecting one early on in pg 2 and resigned to it, but when the consultant said he didn't think it was necessary I was so relieved, that then facing the possibility again really upset me).
I don't recall being told about any of the risks. I saw the MW in the morning and turned up at the hospital that afternoon. I didn't really know what was involved, went on my own and drove.
The actual process was fine and successful. All was fine.
However DD was born with a knot in the cord and it wrapped around her neck. Thanks to an alert MW all was fine, but could have ended very differently. Having heard more about ECV since, I do wonder whether that was the cause.
I'm not sure I would have gone through with it if I'd been aware of all the facts.

How did this turn out for you OP? Did you go for the ecv?

Hi - I did go for the ECV yesterday. I arrived at hospital and went for a scan where they confirmed she was a footling breech with head still under my right ribs but had turned and was facing my back, I also had a long discussion with the consultant about the worries I had (risk of her being tangled in the cord, chances of her being distressed) but was reassured that they would be monitoring her every 30 seconds and that in the consultants 10 years of doing ECV’s she had only had 1 occasion where a baby became distressed and required an emergency section. They did howvever admit that when people say it’s ‘uncomfortable’ they actually mean it’s pretty bloody painful - and it was 😩 they attempted 2 turns, for no more than 60 seconds each but baby was not for being budged. I was then taken through to be monitored for about 90 minutes but baby was absolutely fine!

While glad I can say that I attempted the ECV, I would not opt to do this again as with it being unsuccessful I’ve had to be booked in for an elective section anyway, and I really don’t think the overall experience was worth it. Even if they had managed to turn her, there’s a good chance of baby turning back to the position she was so used to being in! (Sorry for the massive explanation lol)

No, that's really helpful thanks. I'm booked in for an ecv for a complete breech baby tomorrow. I'm scared but I want to try - I'm also concerned the pain will be too much for me to let them have a good go at it :(

I totally understand your dilemma - I was in 2 minds right up until I got to the hospital! You could still always go in, you’ll receive a scan and be monitored, the consultant will come and discuss it with you and ask for you to sign a consent form - you can at anytime change your mind or if you go ahead with the ECV ask for it to be stopped at anytime! The doctors/midwives were amazing, constantly checking with me if I was okay and reminding me it was fine to say stop!

It's just pretty daunting, and I hardly ever hear of times it's worked! I'm sure they'll look after us well though.

An important question is not the department sucess rate but the individual doctors sucess rate...there was a huge difference when i asked .

I definitely intend to ask when I meet the Dr tomorrow who actually does it.