Breech Baby - ECV/C Section

[mitzee]

Hi,

My baby was scanned yesterday at 35 weeks to confirm a breech position. Its been in the same position throughout. The doctor asked me to either book for C-Section (39wks) or ECV (37wks). I was a bit taken aback as I thought it may turn but I'm guessing unlikely. I've only heard bad things about ECV but when put on the spot said yes to it. Now I've had 24hrs to think about it and chat to other people that have had similar situations I think I'm more convinced with section. My first born was an all natural home birth and was all geared up for the same. Hospitals really scare me so this has really knocked my confidence. I just don't know what to do. Call the antenatal unit and say I've changed my mind? Should I change my mind? Things I've heard that have put me off the ECV include potential harm to baby, the pain, success rate and potentially turning back and lastly that there may be a reason why this baby will not turn.

Sorry for rambling I've gotten myself so worked up. If you have any thoughts I'd reeeeally appreciate it. If I've posted this in the wrong place please move it.

Many thanks,

Mitz x

 

[Samia22]

have you ever been to this site? www.spinningbabies.com ?!?!?!
i went to this site when i found out at 30 weeks prgnant and started on friday with the sofa thing going down .. cant remember what the name was lean version or something. and rocked with the bouncyball
And did the same thing on saturday and took a shower and tried ''tricking'' the baby by doing the showerhead that was warm going down
( idont know i was desperate back then lol)

anyways, saturday night the baby was moving alot so i thought and told myself this is great oppertunity to do the version again and rock/bounce on the ball and i did
and that night the baby was moving crazyyyyyyyyyyy
I literally woke up with very different shaped bump
( when people say these things, i dont believe it! but it thank god happend to me!)

How ? when the midwife was looking for the position and told me he was breech she let me feel where his head was and i felt it. Which was reallyyyyy strange feeling

 

[mitzee]

Thank you Samia22. I looked up the website and am going to give all the exercises a try I'll ask the midwife to show me how to check for breech. Sometimes I can feel a ball shape that is clearly a head but othertimes its impossible to identify anything! Will keep you posted. Thanks again! x

 

[Dream.dream]

I don't know if you know but a breech baby doesn't mean you have to have a c section.

Breech births are safe , and can be done as easily as non breech babies.

It's something you should look into if you don't want a c sectio

 

[MindUtopia]

My daughter was breech up til 34 weeks. I did the spinning babies exercises every day from 28 weeks (especially pelvic tilts, inversion, breech tilt) and paid lots of attention to my posture. I also saw an osteopath (I had SPD) and she did a lot of work on my pelvis. It wasn't specifically for baby's positioning, but I think osteopathic or chiropractic adjustments can be great for helping babies to re-position. Look specifically for someone with experience working with pregnant women and with doing the Webster Technique. Also, if you can find an acupuncturist, book yourself in for moxibustion. It's a natural treatment that works on the pressure points in your feet, but it has the same success rate as ECV without any risks to you or baby. The NHS does refer for it, but it's better just to pay for it and get it done before as soon as possible (the earlier it's done, the more likely it is to work).

Also, if you want my personal opinion, I'd give the ECV a try. There has been lots of research done and it's shown it's pretty safe relative to the risks of having a c-section (most of the studies everyone quotes that say it's unsafe were done in developing countries without the sort of medical technology we have available here and were birth outcomes are poor across the board, ECV or not). I had a home birth myself after my daughter turned and if you have experienced a natural low-intervention birth in the past, I'd do what you can to have that again if it's what you want. C-sections are rough on you and baby. They're great when they're medically necessary, but if you can avoid one by taking some steps to encourage better positioning now, then do whatever you feel you need to do. Myself I would have done the ECV and if that didn't work I would have waited to go into labour naturally, asked to be re-scanned and then made a decision about the c-section then if it was needed.

 

[mitzee]

Thank you for your comments.

dream.dream - I don't think I'd be happy giving birth breech but thank you for mentioning it.

MindUtopia - Thats really great thank you. I've been doing lots of the spinning babies techniques and accupuncture but it seems to enjoy being head up! I'm going along to the ECV appointment and see how it goes. Getting lots of conflicting opinions from friends which is making things very difficult. The baby is still moving a lot so I'm ever hopeful it'll move or move easily given the right nudge.

Will keep you posted. xxx

 

[Louppey]

My Daughter was breech, I tried some of the stuff on spinningbabies but honestly nothing worked. I think she was wedged in there she was such a chunk! Anyways, I originally opted for an ECV as I too was put on the spot, but after coming away and talking to hubby we both decided it wasn't the right choice for us. I rang the hospital and cancelled it and they booked me in for a section. I honestly think I made the right decision, and my section was a much more positive experience than I had imagined.

GL hun

 

[mitzee]

Thank you Louupey. My appointments tomorrow morning. I'm terrified. I've found the reponse to ECV about 90/10 in favour of not doing it and now I'm really scared

 

[Louppey]

You can still cancel Hun. I know that might not be what you want to hear, but I'm just saying. If you go through with it do not be afraid to tell them to stop if its too much xxx

 

[mitzee]

Thank you for your thoughts. I had the ECV this morning but it didn't work. Everytime he tried to move the baby its heart rate altered quite dramatically so we called it quits. It was too much of a risk. I'm pleased I gave it a go but upset that it stressed baby out. The hosp are going to telephone me to arrange a section x

 

[Louppey]

Atleast you can say you tried How are you feeling? Xxx