Any ECV experiences please??

ellie27 · Dec 29th, 2009, 09:31 AM

So I am 37+4 today and baby is still breech.

We think baby has been transverse/breech for as far as we know - we have had 3 scans over the last couple weeks and baby is comfy where it is!

Last week we had decided not to go for an ECV as a couple of friends had gone through with one and it didnt work and was very painful. So, we had decided c-section it is.

At the hospital this morning after a long discussion with doctor we have become a bit more open to an ECV and have an appt next tuesday. If it works we have avoided surgery of a c-section and if it doesnt work then we havent lost out. Our hospital documentation quotes a success rate of 50%.

Any experiences of ECV welcome - whether successful or not - greatly appreciated

faille · Dec 29th, 2009, 09:39 AM

I had one at 39wks (was too late but wont go into that!), and it was unsuccessful. Her head would move, but her bum wouldn't go past my right hip.

It was only painful when trying to get her past my hip and I was just about to ask for a break when the consultant said that it wasn't going to work. She was only actually trying for a couple of minutes so they don't carry on if they don't think it's got a chance of working.

I was offered as many breaks as I wanted throughout the procedure and only had to ask. I was told that it isn't meant to "hurt" and needed to say if it did.

I was also informed that even if the ECV did work, there's a chance of baby turning back into a breech position within minutes anyway!

My LO was breech throughout the whole pregnancy, she wasn't going anywhere!

I was worried about the thought of a c-section, but honestly, it was a really positive experience. I wouldn't hesitate or worry if I had to have another x

soon2b6 · Dec 29th, 2009, 12:25 PM

Hi I had an ECV with my second baby which was successful. I did not find it painful but it was very rough and I felt a bit bruised and battered after, but generally OK. He turned quite readily and did not turn back, he was breech. I went on to deliver him naturally with no other issues. I also have subsequently had 3x emergency c sections (for other reasons) and would always want a vaginal birth if at all possible (inc another ECV). C/S obviously has its place for emergencies but if they can be avoided that would always be my choice, although they arent as scary as Id imagined they would be.

polaris · Dec 30th, 2009, 03:56 AM

Hi,
I had attempted ECV at 37+3 weeks, it was unsuccessful but I don't regret trying. It wasn't painful just uncomfortable. I looked at baby on the screen the whole time and didn't look at what the doctor was doing, I would recommend this as OH looked at what he was doing to my belly and said it looked really scary! They monitor you afterwards to make sure that baby is not distressed in any way by the procedure. The doctor made two attempts to turn him but he asked all along whether I was OK and whether I wanted to continue. I felt quite shaky afterwards but I think that is partly due to stress and partly due to the muscle relaxant drugs that they give you beforehand - I was fine after about half an hour or so.

I was dreading a C-section, but actually I had a very positive experience and a really quick recovery. I think maybe the fact that it was planned rather than an emergency c-section made the recovery time quicker? However, I would definitely try ECV again if I was in the situation again.

Vici · Dec 30th, 2009, 04:08 AM

I know 3 people who tried them. he first 2 were in the ward with me and came in for c sections the day after my emergancy one, because they were both unsuccessful. The third it worked for but she ended up with a em section anyway so wished she hadn't bothered

I don't see what there it to lose as you say hun. It might be uncomfortable but you'll be recovering from giving birth or a c section soon so you'll soon forget all about it x

Dec 29th, 2009, 09:31 AM	#1
ellie27 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: uk Posts: 8,703	Any ECV experiences please?? So I am 37+4 today and baby is still breech. We think baby has been transverse/breech for as far as we know - we have had 3 scans over the last couple weeks and baby is comfy where it is! Last week we had decided not to go for an ECV as a couple of friends had gone through with one and it didnt work and was very painful. So, we had decided c-section it is. At the hospital this morning after a long discussion with doctor we have become a bit more open to an ECV and have an appt next tuesday. If it works we have avoided surgery of a c-section and if it doesnt work then we havent lost out. Our hospital documentation quotes a success rate of 50%. Any experiences of ECV welcome - whether successful or not - greatly appreciated

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Dec 29th, 2009, 09:39 AM	#2
faille Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kent UK Posts: 3,681	I had one at 39wks (was too late but wont go into that!), and it was unsuccessful. Her head would move, but her bum wouldn't go past my right hip. It was only painful when trying to get her past my hip and I was just about to ask for a break when the consultant said that it wasn't going to work. She was only actually trying for a couple of minutes so they don't carry on if they don't think it's got a chance of working. I was offered as many breaks as I wanted throughout the procedure and only had to ask. I was told that it isn't meant to "hurt" and needed to say if it did. I was also informed that even if the ECV did work, there's a chance of baby turning back into a breech position within minutes anyway! My LO was breech throughout the whole pregnancy, she wasn't going anywhere! I was worried about the thought of a c-section, but honestly, it was a really positive experience. I wouldn't hesitate or worry if I had to have another x

Status: Offline

Dec 29th, 2009, 12:25 PM	#3
soon2b6 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lincolnshire Posts: 862	Hi I had an ECV with my second baby which was successful. I did not find it painful but it was very rough and I felt a bit bruised and battered after, but generally OK. He turned quite readily and did not turn back, he was breech. I went on to deliver him naturally with no other issues. I also have subsequently had 3x emergency c sections (for other reasons) and would always want a vaginal birth if at all possible (inc another ECV). C/S obviously has its place for emergencies but if they can be avoided that would always be my choice, although they arent as scary as Id imagined they would be.

Status: Offline

Dec 30th, 2009, 03:56 AM	#4
polaris Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 5,748	Hi, I had attempted ECV at 37+3 weeks, it was unsuccessful but I don't regret trying. It wasn't painful just uncomfortable. I looked at baby on the screen the whole time and didn't look at what the doctor was doing, I would recommend this as OH looked at what he was doing to my belly and said it looked really scary! They monitor you afterwards to make sure that baby is not distressed in any way by the procedure. The doctor made two attempts to turn him but he asked all along whether I was OK and whether I wanted to continue. I felt quite shaky afterwards but I think that is partly due to stress and partly due to the muscle relaxant drugs that they give you beforehand - I was fine after about half an hour or so. I was dreading a C-section, but actually I had a very positive experience and a really quick recovery. I think maybe the fact that it was planned rather than an emergency c-section made the recovery time quicker? However, I would definitely try ECV again if I was in the situation again.

Status: Offline

Dec 30th, 2009, 04:08 AM	#5
Vici Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Suffolk Posts: 5,931	I know 3 people who tried them. he first 2 were in the ward with me and came in for c sections the day after my emergancy one, because they were both unsuccessful. The third it worked for but she ended up with a em section anyway so wished she hadn't bothered I don't see what there it to lose as you say hun. It might be uncomfortable but you'll be recovering from giving birth or a c section soon so you'll soon forget all about it x

Status: Offline

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