ECV - would you try it?

[babythreeincoming]

Would you recommend an ECV to turn a breech baby?

My third boy is measuring 3 weeks ahead, breech and with excess fluid. I don't know whether to try the ECV or opt for a planned section. I've had two previous vaginal deliveries and would prefer this but what will be will be.

If baby does turn successfully with the ECV will they leave me to full term even with a big baby based on the scans?

I had a breach baby with my first and declined ECV as it only works in 50% of cases, it’s painful, they can only give you gas and air - although my consultant did not mention I could have this in the discussion - and I was happy yo have a section.

What has your midwife suggested? And how far along are you?

For FTM the odds are less than 50%, for 2nd time or later it's more than 50%.

I searched for threads on breech and ECV and found them helpful.

Ultimately I made my decision based on my specific risks (or absence of), my gestation and the midwife and obstetrician recommendation based on this.

Absolutely NO WAY on this earth would I ever EVER ever allow this. No way.

@Whataretheodds Haven't spoken with my community midwife as this was all done yesterday in triage with the hospital midwives. The midwife that I dealt with was very pushy for an ECV!

I'd be 36 weeks when they attempt it (next week).

Thank you for your suggestions on reading up threads!

What she said. I shut the idea of an ECV down so fast. Absolutely not, they sound awful.

No way. Every instinct in my body tells me they are a bad idea.

My initial reaction is the same and even when I pulled a face yesterday the midwife didn't understand why 😅

Hi there I am a labour ward midwife. You had 2 vaginal deliveries. Why subject yourself to a major abdominal surgery when there is a safe alternative to try?

If someone suggested ibuprofen and physio for my knee problem or surgery next month I know which one I would try first

@Kosenrufugirl I know and this is an exact fair way to approach it! I'm just anxious at the process and the unknown afterwards... will he turn again etc.

Given his "estimated size" and if he was to turn with the ECV would they leave me to go naturally or induce?

I have history of high blood pressure which is starting to creep into the question (just like my previous birth).

My 2nd was breach at 35 weeks and I was offered this or a section, I chose a section but I then had a scan a week later and she had turned head down so no need for either!

I had an ECV, it was uncomfortable at best. As a FTM, I wanted to avoid major abdominal surgery, researched ECV procedure and decided to try, it wasn't successful and I declined a consultant led vaginal breech birth.
So I had an ELCS.

Really, the worst thing about the ECV was the IM injection of salbutamol to relax the uterus, as anyone who's had too much salbutamol will know, it makes you feel very jittery and nauseous.

Nope. DD was breach until 37 weeks. Was planning to veto an ECV, but she turned herself one evening.

Is it always safe? Always? Amazed that a midwife would not acknowledge risks.

Hi there I suspect they might offer you an indication based on your baby size and your blood pressure. As it's your 3rd baby it's very likely you will have a quick birth after they break your waters. As he is on a bigger size it's my guess he is less likely to turn again. Saying this I don't have a crystal ball, this is my best guess. ECV is uncomfortable however much more manageable than pain after a Caesarean. We give sulbutamol all the time on the labour ward when a woman suddenly starts having too many contractions. I haven't seen anyone going jittery and nauseas, I think it was an individual intolerance. If ECV fails you will be offered a day for your Caesarean there and then. I heard sometimes there is a need for an emergency Caesarean after ECV. However I haven't seen it in real life i. e. my hospital does a lot of ECVs and I don't recollect anyone being rushed over for a Caesarean after ECV complications. I hope it helps

A Caesarean section is not a risk free procedure either

I presumed ECV risks have been discussed at the initial appointment

In my professional practice I have certainly seen more complications (for mum AND baby) after an elective Caesarean than after an ECV

No. I had one with DC1 as he was breech. I had it at 38 weeks, and it was incredibly painful. I didn’t know that gas and air was available, I wasn’t offered it. It was incredibly physical, took multiple attempts, and I would have declined it with DC2 if they’d been breech.

On paper, my ECV is shown to have worked. Baby turned, but I ended up with an EMCS three weeks later after a four day labour. The registrar who delivered him said that the cord was wrapped around his neck like a figure 8. I could never have delivered him vaginally. I don’t know if it’s the case, but I suspect the ECV could well have contributed to that.

I think I saw your other post.

no is the answer. It seems very unnatural to me.

So is a Caesarean section a "natural " option then?

Have you tried other movements like the miles circuit or forward inversions? Lots of info online about how to make space for baby to move which might be worth trying before manually moving them. Good luck!

I would absolutely try. My last baby was breech for a while and I was absolutely willing to try ECV and if the at failed then I would have attempted a breech birth over a C-section. My hospital had a good success rate of both ecv and breech births though so could be worth asking those questions. Thankfully she turned last minute

While my baby was not measuring as big as yours, my second was (still) breech at 36 weeks. I opted for ECV. I had zero interest in having an elective C-section. My first had been a vaginal birth, and I wanted to try for another. I also work in theatres, and only wanted my colleagues to see me mostly naked as a very last resort. If the ECV had failed, then I would have resigned myself to having one, but I at least wanted to try first. Also, in 5 years I've seen a grand total of one person need an emergency C-section in the time during/immediately after an ECV. And that was because her waters went. The consultant who does them also contributed to the NICE guidelines on them. So I was in excellent hands.

As it happens, it wasn't needed as baby turned himself beforehand. Still wound up with a C-section, but at least I got to try labour first.

Of course not, but we're talking about ECVs here. You gave the impression that there are no risks to them, which is wrong.