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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Breech Baby

21 replies

WilliamsJess · 16/01/2022 20:22

FTM here 37+2 weeks - I found out on Friday that my baby is breech. I was informed that my options moving forward are either an ECV (which I am currently booked in for on Tuesday, but the thought of having one makes me super nervous. Also aware that it’s only 50% successful and can be quite painful) or to have a planned c section. With this being my first pregnancy, I was really hoping to avoid a c section. I know it’s possible to have a breech birth, but the consultant advised against this due to baby’s positioning.

Has anyone else had an ECV before? What was your experience like? I’m so stuck on what to do. I also lost my mucus plug this morning, went up to the antenatal unit to get checked as I am now technically at higher risk and they said everything was fine after checking me all over. But now I'm worried I could go into natural labour and end up with an emergency c section. Any advise would be greatly appreciated 🙂

OP posts:
Tempusfudgeit · 16/01/2022 20:54

My baby was breech, I decided against an ECV and was booked in for an ELCS. The morning of the CS he turned!

Original poster
WilliamsJess · 16/01/2022 20:59

@Tempusfudgeit I’m hoping the same happens with my little girl! How far along we’re you when he turned?

OP posts:
Tempusfudgeit · 16/01/2022 21:30

39 weeks iirc. I still went ahead with the CS for several reasons, and it was amended to 'maternal request'.

Brakebackcyclebot · 16/01/2022 21:38

My baby was breech. I was booked in for an ECV. On the morning of the ECV I went into labour naturally, and had a CS. Which they described as "emergency" but really wasn't. It was all very controlled and calm. It wasn't like an emergency CS where I'd already been in labour for hours and there was a problem requiring a CS immediately and fast.

I went on to have a 2nd baby without a CS.

To be honest, if I had to have a CS with one of mine, I am glad it was with DC1, when I didn't also have a toddler to take care of. I could rest and stay in bed with DC1.

Barrawarra · 16/01/2022 21:38

I was about 34 weeks when I found out, and 37 when discovered she had turned. I agonised about an ECV as I really didn’t want a section but worried about what the experience would be like for my baby. Fortunately I didn’t have to but I understand it’s a difficult decision.

My midwife told me about moxibustion and it actually has an evidence base despite sounding too woo for most peoples tastes. If nothing it was very relaxing. I did it frequently from finding out, hard to know whether it was that or if she would’ve turned herself anyway. I also did a range of things (I was desperate!) If you haven’t, check out the ‘spinning babies’ website it’s quite interesting. I spent lots of time on all fours, hanging upside down off my bed and even doing handstands in the swimming pool Blush

MyDogIsCool · 16/01/2022 21:48

I'm having my ECV in the morning and hopefully being induced Tuesday to have a vaginal birth, I'm 37weeks today but due to health reasons on my part and baby's weight has dipped they want him out sooner rather than later, they explained it's only a 1 in 200 chance of having to have an emergency section on the day, and hopefully he stays head down so I can be induced. Hope everything goes well on Tuesday for you!

Jfw82 · 16/01/2022 21:48

I tried the ecv as was reluctant to go for section without trying it as would be hard recovery w a 2yo at home. It was uncomfortable and for me it didn't work for me so had planned CS at 39+4. That said dd was resolutely breech from 34 weeks so wasn't that surprised when she didn't turn.

Whatever you do I hope all goes well

MiddleParking · 16/01/2022 22:07

They told me that about the 1 in 200 chance thing too, but it did break my waters (meaning a premature baby in my case) and none of the midwives or doctors seemed remotely surprised about it! I would still have an ECV again though. It wasn’t that sore and three attempts only took about ten minutes tops, if it had worked and allowed me to have my longed-for vaginal birth it would have been totally worth it.

Original poster
WilliamsJess · 17/01/2022 06:25

@MyDogIsCool Awh good luck lovely, I hope it all goes well! Please let us know how it goes ❤️

OP posts:
CurtainTroubles · 17/01/2022 06:46

This reply has been deleted

Withdrawn at the user's request

TheHopefulMum · 17/01/2022 06:49

Our first DS was breech up until around 37 / 38 weeks. Midwife suggested swimming, which worked, DS turned and had a natural birth. Hope little one turns for you.

DanceToTheMusicInMyHead · 17/01/2022 06:50

I had a successful ECV at 36 weeks. Baby turned at the first attempt. It was uncomfortable but not painful, and I went on to a natural water birth in a midwife unit at 39+6.

INeedNewShoes · 17/01/2022 06:59

I had an unsuccessful ECV. The doctor said DD just didn't want to budge and she was unwilling to push it any further. I was happy with that and not at all surprised as DD had been breech on every scan I had after 20 weeks and didn't move around at all as far as I could feel (felt like her head was glued to my ribs!).

The attempted ECV didn't cause any problems and I had my C section the following week. I'd been dead against having a C section but it turned out to be a very positive experience.

Dontknowwhyidoit · 18/01/2022 15:21

I had one at 37 weeks when they were inducing me and it meant I didn't have to have a c section. It was uncomfortable but I had gas and air to get through it. Good luck

SnowdropFox · 18/01/2022 18:32

I had an ECV with my dd. She was breech the whole pregnancy and was a big girl. We tried the ECV and I'm glad I did. It didn't hurt, it was just very strange and uncomfortable. She would not budge at all but we think it was because her bum had started to move down. We ended up an elective C and I'm happy we tried and happy with the C.

Best of luck!

kittykat33 · 18/01/2022 18:47

I'm sorry to be negative but I want to be honest. I had ECV and it was pretty horrific. I found it very painful and distressing and all round traumatic to be honest. From my perspective it seemed quite brutal and I was very upset during and afterwards.

It was unsuccessful and I had a section anyway.

With hindsight I'd have just had the section. It was fine and I recovered quickly.

All the best and hope it works out for you whatever you choose.

Either way you'll have your baby in your arms soon Smile

Original poster
WilliamsJess · 18/01/2022 18:49

@SnowdropFox More or less the same situation as me ☹️ baby girl has already started engaging and the ECV didn’t work. I’ve been booked in for an elective c section now

OP posts:
Original poster
WilliamsJess · 18/01/2022 18:51

@kittykat33 I though exactly the same! It was awful and I definitely won’t be doing it again. I got myself so worked up before it even started which probably didn’t help but I actually had to tap out in the end… baby wasn’t going anywhere ☹️

OP posts:
kittykat33 · 18/01/2022 18:53

@WilliamsJess sorry to hear it was a difficult experience. Hope your section goes smoothly!

MyDogIsCool · 19/01/2022 21:30

Ended up having my ECV today due to just coming out the isolation period of covid on Monday, another one unsuccessful 😞 I'll be having my section tomorrow afternoon, they said because baby has been breech the entire way through, my womb has sort of grown to the shape of him and there's no room for movement, but his growth has stopped hence it being done fairly quickly 🤷‍♀️ hope everything goes well for your section OP, do you know when it'll be?

Clonskeemom · 19/01/2022 22:36

I've had 2 successful ECVs at 38 +5 on my first and 37 on my second. The first was more uncomfortable than the second but neither was painful. I had two vaginal births then which is what I wanted. Best of luck with your decision.

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