Your thoughts on ECV (breech baby needs manual turning).

[NotGrownUpEnough]

Hi All,

I'm currently still breech at 37+1 and so have been booked in for an ECV next tuesday. They have said it is totally up to me whether i go ahead with it or not but if not i will be booked in for cs.

Please can i have you thoughts and experiences of this. Was it successful? Has anyone's baby ever been damaged or hurt?

I have read lots of medical facts but would like some real life stories too, to help me make my decision.

Thankyou as always.
NGUE
xx

.

am interested to read this as mine is transverse at 33 weeks, so still has a bit of time to turn but will face this soon if not. where did you find the medical facts as i have not been able ato find much, so would like anecdotal as well as factual info.

Hey, I went for one on Tuesday but baby had turned himself Is it baby no.1? She went through to procedure with me to show the registrar who was wanting to learn how to do them and it didn't seem too bad. At our hospital you get an injection (which I have read can make you feel like your pulse is racing) then gas and air if you want it. They then try up to 3 times. You are monitored before and afterwards. I was't told this, but there is a risk of baby getting distressed and then needing a C/S there and then (so take bag ready) or labour starting. Very small risk though. Apparently I was a good candidate for it though having had 2 DSs already and baby was very active/mobile, not too big and there was obviously enough room and he had't got wedged the wrong way for ages or anything.

Why don't you go and see an osteopath before tuesday - it may be that your pelvis is a bit twisted and so baby can't turn. Often babies turn by themselves after osteo treatment.

Here are 17 Ways to Turn Your Breech Baby!
Be sure to check with your provider before trying the positions for turning a breech baby to see if there is any reason why you should not use them.

1. Visualizing the baby moving down with the head very deep in your pelvis, several times a day; especially in conjunction with positions and exercises below.
2. Swimming as often as possible. This keeps your body and pelvis loose and relaxed. Do in conjunction with headstand below if you have help.
3. Headstand - with assistance and in a pool frequently as possible.
4. Breech Tilt - begin at 32-35 weeks gestation. Do 3 times daily for 10-15 minutes each time, when you have an empty stomach, and the baby is active. Prop one end of an ironing board securely on a sofa or chair 12 to 18 inches high (or may use slant board). Lie down, bend knees but keep feet flat on board. Relax, breathe deeply, avoid tensing. May also use pillows on a flat surface to raise hips 12-18" above shoulders. Gravity pushes the baby's head into the fundus, tucks it, and baby can then do a somersault to a vertex position.
5. CD/iPod headphones - place them inside mom's pants toward her pubic bone and play classical music for 10 minutes 6-8 times a day.
6. Flashlight - try moving slowly down from the top of the uterus toward your pubic bone while you are in a breech tilt position.
7. Massage - start with your left hand at the bottom of the abdomen and your right hand just above it. Move move your hands clockwise around the right side of your tummy. As your right hand reaches the top of your abdomen, slide the left one over your right and move it down the left side of your tummy. Your left hand leads as you you come full circle, continuing clockwise. Massage gently as you would to apply lotion. Massage for ten minutes or more up to several times each day.
8. Clothespin - place on the small toe of each foot at the outside corner of the toenail; sideways so that the toenail and toepad are stimulated for 30 minutes per day, this is an acupressure point that is a "moving down" point. You can also do this with just finger pressure as you remember to do it.
9. Motion Sickness band - place with the bead four fingerwidths above the inner ankle bone - another acupressure point that is used for stimulation of the uterus. Do not use this point if you are experiencing any pre-term labor.

10. Glass of orange or other juice - follow this with a side-lying position with your hips positioned higher than your feet. Babies move more after a sugar high! 11. Pelvic Tilt- with an ice pack on the top of your tummy on an empty stomach, 10 minutes twice a day. Do this while lying on your back on the floor with knees flexed and feet on the floor with three large pillows placed under your buttocks. Try this in conjunction with headphones and visualization. 12. Cat stretch - start with all fours, then lay your head and chest flat on the floor with your buttocks in the air, as you round your back and return to all fours. 13. Knee-chest position - by kneeling with hips flexed slightly more than 90 degree, but with thighs not pressing against your tummy and your head, shoulders and upper chest are flat on a mattress for 15 minutes every two waking hours for five days. 14. Belly Relaxing followed by Inversion - Partner places a shawl, sheet, towel or rebozo under mom's hips as she lays on the floor. Lift up on the corners of the cloth and shimmy her from side to side moving your hands up and down to wiggle her belly from side to side. These should be very small movements which mom should find very relaxing. Do this for about 5 minutes. Then mother kneels on the stairway landing. Walk your hands down 2 or 3 stairs into an all fours position; have your partner support your shoulders to balance you. Remain in this position for about 5-10 minutes or as long as comfortable. Also do this on an empty stomach. The following techniques to turn breech babies to vertex involve the assistance of a specialist or medical professional: 15. Acupuncture - find a acupuncturist who is familiar with pregnancy and knows the points to stimulate for turning a breech baby. 16. Webster's Breech Technique - see a Chiropractor who is experienced in this technique. 17. External Version - this can be done in the hospital at about 37 weeks; see an Ob-Gyn for assistance and more information

I did the knee/chest thing before my ECV which I am pretty convinced turned him - I went on all fours but then put my head down, left bum in the air- like a happy puppy pose. I was also looking into accupuncture - there is something I came across called Moxibustion where they burn something smelly near your toes (from what I could make out) that is supposed to be pretty good too.

Thanks for the replies everyone!!! Yes it is baby number 1.

I've already tried most of the tips you've gave me and am still persevering with them everyday as i don't really want to have this done. I've also been to a chinese medical practictioner & accupunturist for moxibustion but the stubborn little monkey just won't budge.

I'm hoping it will turn it's self before tuesday but i'm not holding out any hope.

Haven't really got osteopath dosh as that sounds like a good idea.

Has anyone else actually had the procedure done?

Had ECV done at 38+4. They gave me a muscle relaxant then monitored me for an hour beforehand. Was then taken to a scan room where consultant had a look at where DS was lying. She then placed her hands on my tummy where his head and bum were, grabbed hold and turned him! It felt wierd him turning round but it didn't hurt. The only thing was the 'pulling' on my skin, a bit like a wrist burn. The worst thing was the anticipation of it, and worrying about DS getting distressed- the reality was absolutely fine.

We were monitored for an hour afterwards. My pulse had shot up but DS didn't seem to have noticed anything . I slept sitting up that night, there was no way I was letting him turn round again!

I would do it again in a flash, much preferable to a c-section for me.

Thanks Hairymelons, thats the type of story i'm looking for

I also had an ECV with my DD1. Very similar experience to hairymelons . I had low amniotic fluid at the time so the consultant wasn't sure it would work but I wanted to give it a go. I did find it a bit painful (but nothing compared to labour!) but that is probably because of my low fluid. So if you can, take someone with you so you have a hand to squeeze. They monitored me and baby throughout and assured me there was no risk of harm to baby. She turned successfully and remained head down until birth.

DD2 was also breech but turned at about 36 weeks after many somersaults in the pool! Baby #3 is still mobile and changes position each time I see the midwife. If breech, I would have no hesitation in having an ECV again.

HTH and good luck!

It helps a lot. Thank you.

Good luck to you too.

Did you have the ECV?

Hope all is well.