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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Failed ECV

21 replies

PlanBea · 19/04/2021 14:08

I'm just back from the hospital with my baby still in breech position after a failed ECV. They couldn't get him further than just above horizontal and he sprung back each time. I have felt baby's head position clearly for a few weeks (he's really obvious in my belly!) and know he tries to turn and get stuck at the same point by himself, so I'm not optimistic he's going to get himself turned around. I'm currently 37w+4.

I'm now being asked to decide between an elective c section at 39+4 or 40 weeks, or attempting a breech birth that could end up in an emergency c section. Since my 12 week scan, I was advised to avoid a c section if possible due to my chronic health conditions so now I don't know what to do!

Anyone have any advice/experience of a failed ECV? I'm a first time mum so knew the odds weren't in my favour but gutted to now be in this position.

OP posts:

plixy · 19/04/2021 14:17

My baby was breech and wouldn't turn. I opted for a section as I'm quite small and worried about her getting stuck if she was coming out breech.
During the section they discovered she was actually stuck behind my ribs. It took some effort to get her out, and although she was fine I ended up taking twice as long as normal to put back together.
I won't put you off with details, as the section was quite horrendous. However my point is that she would not have come out on her own. I am glad I chose the section as I don't know what the outcome would have been if I had tried vaginally.

munchbunch12 · 19/04/2021 14:46

Hi OP, my DD (my 2nd child) was like your DS in the ECV, the Dr turned her and as soon as he took his hands off her head went right back up to the top! I kept going swimming and bouncing on the birthing ball but to no effect! I had an elective c-section, which was fine. I had no problems healing although I was a bit sore for the first few days. I don't have any underlying health conditions which may have caused additional issues though. When I had DS (1st child) I had a vaginal delivery, and whilst that went fine too (no stitches/forceps/ventouse needed) I found the c-section much easier. What is it about your health conditions that makes the Dr say you should avoid having a c-section? Is there a way around it? What have been the outcomes for other women who have your conditions and have had a c-section? I have no experience of an emergency c-section, but from reading on here and the experiences of friends, they can be pretty traumatic (I guess the clue is in the 'emergency' bit) so it may be better for you to have the elective c-section that can be prepared for.

Original poster

PlanBea · 19/04/2021 17:14

@plixy I'm sorry to hear it wasn't a great experience. It's interesting you say about your DD being under your ribs as he is very high up and I definitely feel him in my ribs! I've been hoping he wouldn't drop down to give the ECV the best chance of working but now I'm past that I'll need to get him moving downwards if he refuses to roll around!

@munchbunch12 I have fibromyalgia and Ehlers-danlos which is the vascular type, it has a big impact on healing from surgery. My DH gets 4 weeks paternity leave from his company (we're very lucky!) so I'll at least have plenty of help for recovery, he's already said he'll just have to change all the nappies! Ultimately the planned c section sounds like lowest risk for baby and despite my higher risk it is less risky than an EMCS. It's just a bit gutting that I had no birth plan except "as little intervention as is safe" and despite that being the entirety of it it's still not going to plan! I'm guessing your DD didn't manage to do a miracle turn herself before the c section date?

OP posts:

ThisMammaCat · 19/04/2021 17:38

I was a breech baby (frank breech, aka butt first). I was my mum's first, and it was the 80's. She did deliver me vaginally, but I was quite unwell from the experience. Apparently I scored a 1 on the apgar scale, was floppy, and the largest baby in the special care baby unit.

Sorry my comment might not be helpful, just wanted to give the only experience I have of breech babies.

Fingers eyes and toes crossed that your little one decides to do you a favour and go head down asap

Tickly · 19/04/2021 17:45

My 3rd was breach. Before the second try at ECV they scanned and we could see his cord around his neck which was why he wasn't going further than half way. I was offered a choice and elected for a CS because a breach delivery is risky. My obgyn friend said about half of breach deliveries end in emcs. Personally I would suggest you go back to the consultant and ask what they suggest given you've previously been told to avoid a CS. It will come down to a risk balance and they will be best placed to talk you through. Good luck whatever you choose.

plixy · 19/04/2021 17:46

@PlanBea I definitely knew where her head was. By 37 weeks I couldn't sit straight as it was such a big lump in my ribs. It also made breathing very difficult.
My husband had my laying upside down to try and turn her but it wasn't happening! But everyone at the hospital kept telling me of babies that turned right up until the surgery so you still have a chance

munchbunch12 · 19/04/2021 17:51

@PlanBea no she didn't, the little monkey! It was actually quite relaxing having the elective c-section (well, as relaxing as you could hope for when having surgery), the 2 surgeons were stood talking about Eastenders the previous night!

bunburyscucumbersandwich · 19/04/2021 17:55

My dd never turned, despite the midwife telling me she had! I knew I could feel the head at the top.

I had an elective section and I'm so glad I did, the cord was short and wrapped around her neck. That's why she didn't turn.

I would think an elective c-section would be less risky than attempting a breech birth and then having an emergency one. But you need to take the advice of your consultant and midwife.

MrsArchchancellorRidcully · 19/04/2021 18:02

Have you looked at spinningbabies.co.uk or might be .com

Some babies turn during labour.

eensyweensySpider · 19/04/2021 18:04

I actually refused the ECV (which the consultant was pushing for beyond beliefs!) and thought DS would turn if he could / wanted. He never did, never dropped either and his head was wedged under my ribs until the day he was born. ELCS was brilliant and they couldn't see any reason why he didn't turn so obv he was just comfy!! I'm still really happy with my choice and how it all turned out, I never would have risked a breech birth. Is the section completely off the cards for you OP?

Willow4987 · 19/04/2021 18:06

Personally I’d go for the ELCS

The risk with attempting a VB is if it does end up in EMCS then you’ll be exhausted from all of the build up when you were in labour which will make it doubly hard to recover from the CS

AlwaysColdHands · 19/04/2021 18:18

I had an ECV on the Thursday, she wasn’t for turning and it felt wrong to me as soon as they started. Booked in for next day c section there and then (ten days before due date).
Turned out she was really wedged down deep in my pelvis. My trust has a policy of not usually letting first time mothers attempt a vaginal breech, although I could have contested if I’d wanted to (I didn’t!)
I’ve since had another very successful c section, great recovery both times.
However I don’t have any health issues.

I will add that my 2nd section was booked for a Wednesday (39 + 5) but I went into labour the day before so it turned into a semi-emergency as I got to 7cm. It was all ok, but I would have much preferred to have had another nice calm scheduled section instead of one with a bit of panic and urgency. And pain!!

So a planned section definitely preferable, such a positive and calm, controlled experience.

Esio · 19/04/2021 18:22

What staff experience is there of breech delivery? My DD was a successful ECV but we'd had to talk about possible breech delivery before agreeing to the ECV. Because baby's head usually makes the way for the rest of the body to come after it, you either have problems with legs / hips not being where you want them, or problems with getting the head out, and not squashing the cord. Years ago they had more breech experience but my consultant was concerned we could have a baby with the body out and a stuck head, at which you can't do a cesaerean, as you can't pull baby back up.

The issue is that if the ECV failed, the "thing" that stopped baby moving (fibroid, cord position etc.) may also impact on your ability to birth a breech baby. I'd go for an elective in your shoes, as I'd decided I would have done if my girl hadn't turned, but flag your other health issues to your midwife as it may be possible to stay in hospital longer because of issues around healing,or is there anyone who could stay with you at home to help? An elective cesarean is a major opp, but I just wasn't confident enough that my hospital could handle a breech delivery.

Esio · 19/04/2021 18:26

And there are yoga poses (polar bear etc.) that can give room for baby to turn, or try sitting on a birthing ball.

seven201 · 19/04/2021 18:46

I had a failed ecv with my dd. Had a c-section at 39 weeks and it was lovely! They couldn't get her out at first. I think they had to cut wider as her bottom was stuck. Personally I find the thought of a breech birth terrifying, but each to their own.

I have since discovered (through secondary infertility tests) that I have a prominent midline septum. It's a ridge/divide in my uterus so I suspect my dd just would never have got past this point to turn. I do remember that head in the ribs feeling . Good luck.

tigerbread20 · 19/04/2021 18:51

I had an undiagnosed breech, despite my insistence she was, no one listened.
In the end I had a Cs where they had to use forceps to get her out from under my ribs, she was so wedged in there. She didn't thrive off the experience and was taken to scbu.
Having gone through that experience I'd never opt for an ECV, I am a firm believer in some babies are breech for a reason ie. They are stuck there

Original poster

PlanBea · 19/04/2021 22:26

Thank you everyone, there's some horror stories in there but all of this is helping reassure me that while it's not the birth I'd planned but it's the right one for this baby. They did say I could ask for a scan before the c section and if he has had a miracle flip then be left to try naturally

@MrsArchchancellorRidcully I'll check out the website. The hospital staff said not to get my hopes up as if he wasn't turning for the ECV not to plan for him doing it himself

@eensyweensySpider I'm glad to hear your experience. It's not off the cards as it was always "avoid it, if you can" so it seems this is the situation where I can't. It's more how my body will heal from it. DH will just need to be on nappy duty for longer!

@Esio to add to complications I'm in the middle of switching hospitals, I know the one I had the failed ECV delivered two breech vaginal births in the last week (but they average about 120 births a week), the hospital I'm now booked into I'm not sure of their experience and I'm not speaking to their consultant until next week. They do about half the number of births a week though. I might try asking them though.

@tigerbread20 how terrifying! I hope your DD is ok now?

OP posts:

MrsH497 · 20/04/2021 09:55

My DS was breech not discovered until 38+4 had an ecv at 39+1 didn't work so went for elcs which was the safest option as during surgery we discovered her cord was round her neck and arm behind her back so a vaginal breech would've been highly dangerous and ended up in emergency section.

Recovery from the elective was absolutely fine and I'd have a cs again it was relaxing and calm

Original poster

PlanBea · 20/04/2021 11:14

@MrsH497 I'm glad it worked out for you, also that you didn't find out until the section so you didn't have time to worry about it. I'm feeling much more sure today after my wobble yesterday!

OP posts:

Skymum82 · 20/04/2021 11:31

Honestly I would go for the earlier section date. The chances of baby moving after then is very low. Sorry your having to go through a section. A lot of ladies heal really quickly. Good luck to you.

HighInTheHills · 20/04/2021 11:37

I've not read the whole thread only the OP, so apologies if not relevant, but have you had a look on the Spinning Babies website? There's lots of advice on self movement and positioning etc to help move baby to a cephalic position. There's no guarantee it will work, but may be worth a go.

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