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Original poster

Reassurance and personal stories? ECV and ECS

27 replies

flowerpot258 · 13/05/2022 17:43

I'm 36+4. Went to MW today. I'm measuring 41 so seem to be quite big but baby is also transverse. She has booked me an urgent scan for Monday.

If baby is still transverse it's probably unlikely she will turn at this stage even if she had room.

MW said I might be offered a ECV. All I've heard is horror stories about it and don't fancy it myself especially since it's not guaranteed that baby stays head down. I think I'd be happier getting a section.

If I was to get an ECS I'm not sure if they will do it at 37 weeks or just later on at 39-40 weeks.

Anyone got their own stories about ECV or ECS?

OP posts:
Jfw82 · 13/05/2022 19:05

Had an ECV and it was uncomfortable and don't work but I tried as ECS is major abdominal surgery and I already had a small one at home. It didn't wok but found CS very calm and well managed tho recovery harder than when I had previous vaginal delivery

Original poster
flowerpot258 · 13/05/2022 20:41

Thanks @Jfw82 - I think that's my biggest concern. I'm worried about a CS in general
But also about the recovery time afterwards

OP posts:
Jfw82 · 13/05/2022 20:49

flowerpot258 · 13/05/2022 20:41

Thanks @Jfw82 - I think that's my biggest concern. I'm worried about a CS in general
But also about the recovery time afterwards

Recovery wasn't hard please don't read as that just had to think about what I did more than with my first and more just mindful to the fact that you've had major surgery with a CS so not incapable just a bit restricted in some ways

Original poster
flowerpot258 · 14/05/2022 20:36

Anyone else ?

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zaffa · 14/05/2022 20:44

No experience of ECV but I did have a CS - EMCS actually and it was fine. I have no comparison, and recovery was hard as not able to drive for six weeks so was stuck at home in December (and then lockdown hit 😒) BUT the actual experience was fine. It would have been even better if I had planned it, as I would have had more time to plan things our to make life as easy as possible (like where to position the crib, and plan for not being able to drive for ages).
The actual physical recovery wasn't bad - although it is major surgery I was up and about the next morning and went home after one day.

I too have heard horror stories about ECV and I don't think I would have done it myself had DD not gotten into position herself. But I'm also sure many many women have had it done with no complications.

zaffa · 14/05/2022 20:45

Also had I had a choice I would have had a section in the morning, after a well rested night (instead I was induced and in Labour and wide awake for 36 hours when DD was born 💤)

Thatcountrymum · 14/05/2022 20:52

I planned a home birth but baby was Frank breech, they suggested to turn the baby, but with everything else it came with its complications and because sister had an experience with it and baby flipped back, I opted for a c section instead, I was happy about it because I knew even though my birth plan didn't go as planned I still had the last decision and was still able to make a c section birth plan, I got to do skin to skin with baby, it worked out in the end, recovery was pretty quick for me, not saying it is it for everyone, I was out the next day x

boxesmos · 14/05/2022 20:58

i had a transverse big baby.

boxesmos · 14/05/2022 21:00

I tried the ECV, was ok. I tried induction but baby was never remotely engaged so then had a CS. It was harder than my VB recovery wise but that was very straight forward. Defo right choice for baby though.

Original poster
flowerpot258 · 14/05/2022 21:05

Does anyone know how soon they will do the c section if baby is still transverse by Monday when I'll be 37 weeks?

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Moonflower12 · 14/05/2022 21:18

I had a horrible ECV and had an elective c-section at 38 weeks though it turned out DD was only 33 weeks. ( very late pregnancy discovery- long story!)

The ECV was very painful and DD had no plans to turn. The ECS was actually lovely and calm. I felt fine by 10 days post- op.

boxesmos · 14/05/2022 21:29

i think mine was 38.5 wks

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 14/05/2022 21:32

I tried an ecv after baby was always breech. It didn't work and I was given a els date at 40+1. My son had other plans, waters broke at 38+4, and he was delivered by emcs. Not much difference apparently between elsc and the emsc I had, it was 4am and the labour suite was empty so everything was quick. The wait i had was on DH getting there as he was waiting at home on our childcare for older DS arriving.

i found the recovery good actually, of course it was more painful that after my previous delivery, but I think I felt better, sooner. For reference, I had a long labour finishing in forceps in theatre with my first. I also don't think DH was understanding the first time around either, where this time I was much more confident in refusing to go out walks fir fresh air, where I felt compelled to when encouraged to!!

Just keep on top of pain relief and it's fine, best of luck!

furballfun · 14/05/2022 21:34

I was you - transverse baby. I had ECV at 37 weeks (ish); it was uncomfortable but not painful, and initially successful, but DD turned transverse again that evening.

I had a c-section at 39+1, having been admitted at 37+5 in case I went into labour (I didn't). I wasn't offered an earlier section, and I understand that babies born by ELCS have a higher chance of breathing difficulties if delivered earlier. So be aware you may be admitted.

DD and I are fine; she's an only, so I've nothing to compare the recovery with - I didn't feel great for the first week, but it got much better after that.

Happy to answer any further questions.

NetflixAndSauvignonBlanc · 14/05/2022 21:40

I had an ECV which was ok ish but didn't work so then I had an ECS. It was fine, I'm now pregnant with my second and have opted for another ECS this time.

MustBeThursday · 14/05/2022 21:40

Elective C sections where I had DD2 were booked in at around 39 weeks.

I had an ECV (unsuccessful) for frank breech DD who was wedged quite firmly bum-down. It was painful but I had horrendous SPD which may have contributed to how painful it felt. But I was desperate to avoid a c section if possible after previous anaesthetic problems

The c section itself was pretty calm. Recovery was harder than for my previous birth (3rd degree tear). I was very itchy afterwards from the morphine used during the section. Most useful thing afterwards (other than v shaped pillows!) was a bed ladder to help with getting in and out of bed.

DellaPorter · 14/05/2022 21:49

I had an ecv which worked, was only mildly uncomfortable. Baby born naturally at 40+4

Original poster
flowerpot258 · 14/05/2022 21:51

@furballfun - thanks for your reply. So there's a chance they might keep me in hospital from 37 weeks then? My midwife had said it's unlikely unless there was chance of a cord prolapse but I thought I'd baby transverse then chances of a cord prolapse were high anyways. I think she said baby is posterior transverse. So just thinks my womb is a hammock Smile

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Original poster
flowerpot258 · 14/05/2022 21:53

@MustBeThursday - I also have SPD. It's awful isn't it? I've had it since about 20 weeks or something and paracetamol is useless. Midwife didn't even bother referring me for physio as it wouldn't help

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furballfun · 14/05/2022 22:22

Being admitted is a definite possibility, but it seems to vary by area - DD is 9, so guidance may have changed. Just to reassure you it was a planned admission, so I had things with me. The danger was indeed cord prolapse; a transverse baby isn't blocking the exit with either its head or its bottom. DD was actually quite mobile; I think she was recorded in all possible positions while I was in hospital, and I understand that isn't unusual - initially I was told that if she went head down, I'd be discharged to go into labour naturally, but after it became clear she was moving around, that changed to 48 hours continually head down (which she never managed).

I would have thought that if your baby is transverse, you'd have consultant led care? Do you have an appointment with anyone other than your midwife at all? Hopefully they will be able to clarify a plan of action.

Original poster
flowerpot258 · 14/05/2022 22:45

@furballfun - well I have an 'urgent' scan on Monday and there was mention of speaking to a consultant depending on outcome of the scan.

I have pelvic girdle pain. Baby is measuring big and transverse position so at the scan I'm sure they said they would check baby's position, size, cord and fluid. So everything at the moment is pointing to a c section but wether they keep me in hospital for monitoring I'm not sure. I guess I'll find out more on Monday but I'm definitely declining an ECV. Really don't fancy it.

OP posts:
furballfun · 14/05/2022 22:55

I hope it goes well, and you have a clear plan afterwards. DD was a normal size and I didn't have pelvic pain (my back on the other hand....); cord and fluid were normal, yet they still wanted to admit me - not so much for monitoring as to keep me close to an operating theatre in case my waters broke (they didn't).

At the time it was pretty stressful, but I'm very grateful to have a healthy child and be in reasonable health myself. I've lived in places where medical facilities were very rudimentary or entirely absent, and spoken to women who've lost babies for lack of access to a c-section. That helped me put it into perspective...

AlphaAlpha · 14/05/2022 22:58

I had an ECV with my breech, uncomfortable at best but I went in 2 days later with 'reduced movement'
That was anything but because they were moving about just fine on the HCG!
I was offered a consultant led vaginal breech birth but I declined and opted for the ELCS.
Despite my wishes of a water birth the ELCS was fine, I was sore and didn't feel up for driving for 5 weeks but otherwise all ok.

Original poster
flowerpot258 · 16/05/2022 17:39

Just a quick update incase anyone is following or looks at this thread in the future.

Got my scan. Baby is breech. They offered me either an ECV, a breech vaginal birth or an elective c section.

Me and my husband read up on all options and decided to go with the ECS. I'm a bit nervous but feel we've made the right decision.

OP posts:
babythreeincoming · 18/01/2024 14:42

@flowerpot258 How did things go? When did you get your section and were you admitted beforehand or able to be at home? 🙏🏼