ECV opinions

[Cloudy586]

Hello, I am 36 weeks tomorrow and baby is still breech. I have a scan tomorrow and if he is still breech they are going to discuss options, I did hear about ECV but was unsure as I also have a battery pack (like a pacemaker size) from a surgery i had a few years ago in my stomach on the right side so unsure if they could try and move baby especially if he is on that side. I would prefer not to get the ECV but i also do not want to refuse if it is the best option. Any one got any pros and cons or experiences of having ECV? TIA

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/pregnancy/4310019-ECV-experiences

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I had an ECV with my second baby (currently pregnant with my third) it was a horrible experience for me and it didn't work so resulted in me having a planned c section a week later instead. I was badly bruised afterwards and hated every moment of it. I'd never have it done again.

It's not guaranteed to work (infact I don't know anyone who has had it that it has worked for)

Just realised how completely negative that was but just the truth of my experience x

@Littlegoth Thank you i will have a look

@SSimp24 Thank you for your reply. Yes I would rather you be honest, I did read about it having only a 60% chance of working (not sure if that is true). I would prefer a c-section but then I am also thinking about the recovery etc. So just wanting to get rough idea of which one will be best. Thank you x

I had an ECV at 38 weeks unsuccessful (she was stuck in my ribs and arm behind her back but we didn't know that)
I had a section and it was brilliant. Recovery was very good. I had a second 21 months later and also a section and another wonderful recovery.

My section recover was really good to be honest, I was up and about the same night and home the day after. I had a nearly 3 year old at the time too. I felt normal after 2 weeks (though couldn't walk a long distance) and was back to normal after 4 weeks (driving etc) I'm torn this time what to do as ideally would like a vaginal birth but found out this week I have a low lying placenta so possibly have to have another section which I don't mind so much just the thought of having 2 kids stuck in for 3/4 weeks in the summer holidays x

I declined the ECV with my first daughter who was also breech at 36 weeks. Didn't like the sound of it at all. Went for the planned c-section. No regrets at all. Recovery was a bit sore but not as bad as I expected. In fact I plumped for a second planned c-section with my 2nd daughter in October.

@MrsH497 @MrsSamR Thank you for your replies. Glad everything ended up going well

@SSimp24 Oh thank you for sharing that as i assumed that recovery is quite long etc, I guess it differs for everyone. Yeah I would also ideally like a natural birth but obviously if baby doesn't move round then it is not an option. Congratulations on your pregnancy I hope everything goes well x

@MrsSamR When you refused the ECV, did they book the c-section for a couple of weeks after?

I had one with my first. They tried really hard but it didn't work. It was deeply unpleasant but I'm very glad I tried. Booked the section in there and then for the following week (I was already 37+ weeks at the ECV). There's a bit of an anti ECV mood on here. It is completely safe but I think you need to discuss your situation in detail with your obstetrician (I'm assuming you're consultant led due to your heart condition). Good luck!

My c section (maternal choice due to some medical issues that while they didn’t rule out a vaginal birth certainly made it sound really unappealing!) was really good too and I was completely back to normal within a couple of weeks (all my normal activities including driving). My son was breech too although he turned a couple of days before delivery - still wasn’t changing my mind though. I was back sleeping on my side on day 3, didn’t need painkillers when I got home (day 6 but that was due to baby needing a bit of extra help for low blood sugar and jaundice). I was out of bed after about 7 hours and spent most of the 5 days pacing the corridor. Trapped wind was the worst thing about it all. I’m having another section in July. It wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I was expecting x

If you don't want it you can decline it, I did. C section was booked for week 39.

I had an anterior placenta which was why I declined the ECV. Being completely honest, I wanted a vaginal delivery as I had previously, however I just wanted the baby safely which happened.

My first born was breech from about 32 weeks, we tried going for an ECV but due to decelerations in his heart rate (no idea why they were happening as he's perfectly healthy!) they didn't go through with it. The doctor had me hooked up to the monitor, came round to read the chart and instead of even putting hands on my belly he just said "so, let's get you booked for that csection eh?" Was quite funny and a massive relief, I'd heard ECVs are particularly painful and I wasn't stressed about not having a vaginal birth.
Csection was calm, smooth and recovery was really quick.
I'm due another ELCS in 3 weeks so hoping for similar recovery, my eldest is 5 so thankfully I don't have to be running after a toddler.

It's very possible they may not even want to do your ECV if you have any medical equipment in your abdomen that could potentially be disrupted, they do have to manipulate your bump quite a bit!

I went for an ecv, they tried to turn her 3 times and it didn’t work and she got really distressed so I ended up having an emergency c section, definitely wouldn’t have another one

Thank you everyone, yes i am unsure wether i would even be able to get in done with the device in my stomach. I think i am more towards asking for the c-section if there is an option I can still get the ECV and if he hasn't moved round. My midwife said that tomorrow at the scan they are going to double check if he is still breech and if so then we will discuss delivery. Thank you all for your replies take care xx

At my hospital they book it for as close to 39 weeks as possible. I had a date booked in for 39+1 but she had other ideas and broke my waters at 38+5!

A little late but peppermint tea worked great for any trapped wind for me. Someone mentioned it before I went for mine & im so glad they did otherwise I'd have been crippled ☺️

@SSimp24 it didn't work for me unfortunately - gutted! I spent a lot of time walking up and down just trying to get it to ease off. It’s the only thing I look back on and think was particularly uncomfortable recovery wise.

I had an unsuccessful ECV. It wasn't more than uncomfortable and in glad I tried. My Elcs was horrendous - I lost a huge amount of blood and was totally out of it for hours. I find the pain afterwards really difficult and recovery pretty slow. I had much better experiences with my other two - one spontaneous labour and one induction. Just to balance the views here!