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C-sections
nikip6454
member
Version
nikip6454
member
in C-sections
I am curious how many of you C-Section ladies had a failed version or opted against a version.
I am transverse at 35 weeks with an ultrasound next week to check on position (and fluid level and growth due to measuring behind) and want as much knowledge about my options as possible. Obviously, I have done actual research and talked with my OB but I was hoping for personal experiences too.
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Re: Version
My LO was breech. I was offered a version but opted against it after talking to my MFM. Basically, this is what it boiled down to for me:
Option A: Attempt a version, which may or may not be successful. If it is successful, you're still not guaranteed a vaginal delivery because of various factors. If it's not successful, you're still in the same place you were: you have a breech baby and have to have a C-Section. If it's really unsuccessful, you end up with an emergency C-Section, possibly under general anesthesia and you put your life and your LO's life in danger.
Option B: Skip the version. Have a C-Section.
I figured I was more likely than not to end up with a C-Section either way, and I'd rather have a scheduled C-Section than an Emergency C-Section.
Hope that helps! Good luck!
It's only in the odd bump black hole where versions are deemed dangerous and said to have a low success rate.
The research shows that versions are ~70% successful (higher success rate with 2nd+ pregnancies, and up to 90% successful with a transverse baby) with an extremely low complication rate and an even more extremely low catastrophic complication rate.
I had one. I won't say it was fun but it also wasn't too painful, and although it was not successful I absolutely made the right choice and would try it again if I had to.
I know I have a bit of time before I have to make my decision (if I have to make it at all) but your reasonings are pretty much what I have running through my head. I also have low fluid levels so the version is less likely to work.
I wanted to mention one other thing... the goal of any pregnancy is to end up in the end with a healthy Mama and a healthy Baby. To some people, the way you get to that end goal is really important. Some people feel really strongly about wanting to have a certain birth experience. You have to think about how important the birth experience and labor experience is to you. If you are the kind of person who will feel like you missed out on something if you don't go through labor and you don't do everything you can to have a vaginal delivery, then go for the Version. But if you don't really care that much about the experience and just want to keep the end goal in mind, then I say skip the version and go with a scheduled C-Section.
Katherine was breech and I decided to try the version. It was not successful and I ended up having her in due time via c/s. just so you know, a version is NOT a horrible experience as some people who have not had it try to paint it. It is not completely pleasant but it is not painful or anything. Just a bit uncomfortable, that's all. Also my c/s was a wonderful experience and great recovery. I feel great because I tried what was in my and the doc's power and in the end K was born healthy and perfect.
I would say, if you feel like it's worth the try then def go for it. Whatever the result, you will know you tried.
I have attempted the version twice now. I wasn't sure at first that I wanted to even try because I made the mistake of googling which lead to very scary stories. I spoke a lot with my midwife about the risks in my situation and decided that I would try with the understanding that I could stop at any point.
The first time at 35 weeks and 5 days was awful. My baby has been breech pretty much the whole pregnancy with his/her head right up under my right rib. I had a bad reaction to the shot they give you to relax your uterus causing a splitting headache, shaking (normal), and vomiting. The procedure did not go well as I think I was too scary and nervous to relax enough.
I then had my 37 week appointment and spoke to my midwife about how the ecv went. We talked a long time about it and how she thought if I would wanted to she had some suggestions for making me feel better and if I wanted to try again she would be there to support me. I am not really sure why I agreed to try again other then I really wanted to have a natural vaginal birth and I felt somewhat disappointed in myself after the procedure. (Plus the ob said I was a really good candidate to try again due to baby's position)
The second time around went 100 times better. My midwife was there with me to support me through the procedure. Instead of laying flat the whole time after receiving the shot I was able to lay with my head up a little bit so I did not get the same splitting headache and nausea. Having my midwife coach me to breath through the pain and be as relaxed as possible is what got my through it. It was still very painful since baby's head was up high and basically the dr had to get baby's butt out of my pelvis, try to turn baby to be transverse, and then finally head down.
Unfortunately it was not successful (the dr could only get baby to lay in a transverse position) and I now have a scheduled c-section. Overall I am really glad I tried again and don't have this negative feeling towards the version that I had the first time. I now feel at peace with not having a vaginal birth as I feel like I have done everything I could to try and help the baby turn.
I think in your situation with low fluids you might not even be able to have the procedure done. I also was told that if the baby is already transverse it is less likely to be as painful since the dr should be able to turn the baby in one movement. If your open to the idea and want to try there is no harm in saying yes and then stopping at any point that you do not feel comfortable. Otherwise there is nothing wrong with just going ahead and scheduling the c-section.
I am sure you have already been to the spinning babies websites but I would recommend trying some of the exercises there.
/quote
I wanted to mention one other thing... the goal of any pregnancy is to end up in the end with a healthy Mama and a healthy Baby. To some people, the way you get to that end goal is really important. Some people feel really strongly about wanting to have a certain birth experience. You have to think about how important the birth experience and labor experience is to you. If you are the kind of person who will feel like you missed out on something if you don't go through labor and you don't do everything you can to have a vaginal delivery, then go for the Version. But if you don't really care that much about the experience and just want to keep the end goal in mind, then I say skip the version and go with a scheduled C-Section.
/quote
I agree with this 100 percent and these thoughts were what helped me make my decision.
I had a version performed at 36 weeks, 1 day since my son was frank breech and I was in early labor. While it was unsuccessful and ultimately I needed a csection, I am happy that I agreed to trying the version. I felt like the risks of a version were lower than that of a csection, and even though it was uncomfortable (I declined the pain meds and couldn't be given the steroid used to relax my uterus due to a maternal medical condition) I would do it again if need be.
For me, it wasn't about 'needing' a vaginal birth. While I was terrified of having surgery, trying the version beforehand brought me some peace and I was able to accept the risks of a csection a lot easier since I had explored all other avenues. If I didn't try and jumped right to a csection, I know I would've had a lot more anxiety.
DD was breech. I had delivered DS vaginally, so my OB was very optimistic about a version. Plus, she said DD was "flippy" because she moved between transverse and breech. She only does versions at 39 weeks because of the high chance of baby flipping back. For a successful version, she then breaks the bag of waters and starts pitocin to induce labor.
I went in at 39 weeks CONVINCED I would have a successful version. An epidural was strongly recommended because it increases the chance of successful version. My blood pressure plummeted as soon as I got the epidural. DD's heart rate also dropped, and within a few minutes, I was whisked to the operating room for a section.
Maverick James 01.07.2012 * Married 01.23.2010 * Harper Skye 01.24.2013
The only person I actually know that had a version had a horrible experience and strongly recommends turning it down. Hearing other's experiences is very helpful.
We were 100% on board with trying a version with DS, but I went into labor the morning we were scheduled for it, and there wasn't enough fluid left to attempt it after my water had broken.
I wasn't a candidate for a version for DD, because of my c/s with DS, but she tured out to be breech too. I went to my chiro, and he performed the Websters technique. She was kicking my ribs by dinner time that night! I highly recommend trying it! No pain, and only took a few minutes!
The process itself was lengthy but the procedure only took about 2mins. I was first sent for an assessment to see if in fact he could be flipped, then was checked into LD for the procedure. After an IV the dr came in and gave me medication to prevent contractions and tried the version.
She was unable to move the head past the placenta which was prohibiting him from turning. I will say that it was painful! I can imagine that it felt similar to intense contractions along with getting an "Indian rug burn." My stomach did get bruised but was fine within a few days.
We are now scheduled for a c section at 39w.
I would try it, it doesn't hurt the baby and is done in the hospital incase you need an emergency c section.
I am in the same boat and I appreciate this very much. I had asked for some feedback on another board and I feel like it was not so smart to bring it up because of such negative feedback. I feel like the research I have done and how my husband and I have hashed it out is the same response as this.
Here's my story.. My LO was breech my entire pregnancy. At 33 weeks we started acupuncture and moxibustion and at 34 weeks I started seeing a chiro for the Webster technique. At 35 weeks I developed Cholestasis (random, rare liver disorder) so it was advised that LO be delivered at 37 weeks for her safety.
Since none of my "alternative" methods of flipping baby were working we decided to attempt a version at 36 weeks. I was having contractions the morning we went in for the version. Doc said I may be in early labor, they gave me drugs to relax the uterus and started the version. Unfortunately LO was already too low and the version was unsuccessful. My contractions stopped and the Doc said it was most likely because of the drugs they gave me to relax the uterus. They sent us home and my water broke at 4:15 the next morning, my labor was fast, within 2 1/2 hours we got to the hospital I was already at 5 cm so we went straight into the OR for a c-section. My recovery was very easy, all in all the c-section was nowhere near the nightmare experience I thought it would be.
All that aide, I would definitely attempt a version again if it were necessary. It didn't hurt and the baby never was in distress. We had a home birth planned with a midwife, so for me I needed to explore all of our options before I gave up that dream. I do not think my going into labor after was directly a result of the version because I was already having contractions that morning. I think she was just ready.