Maybe a bit AWish - ECV - Breech ?

katiebartton · April 2014

I hope it's ok to start a thread on this, wasn't sure if it was appropriate in the symptom thread etc.

I was curious if anyone has ever gone in for a manual flip of a breech baby. I'm just over 32 weeks so I know I have plenty of time to decide (4 weeks actually ) but I don't personally know anyone who has done this.

They would preform the "procedure" at 37 weeks in the hospital in case of any complications. I've read what the potential risks are and I'm very hesitant. As much as I'd love to have a vaginal birth I'm thinking just going to c-section route might be safer?

Any feedback or experience is appreciated! Was your experience successful, painful, worth it?

ElTrain5 · April 2014

joules235 said:

I think you are referring to an external cephalic version.

You are only 32 weeks you have plenty of time to try to turn your baby on your own. DD was breech until 36 weeks but I was able to flip her. Check out "Spinning Babies how to flip a breech baby" These exercises aren't exactly comfortable but they do work really well. I would also suggest finding a chiropractor who is Webster certified as they can help your baby to turn as well. Acupuncture may also help.

You still have time and if you want a vaginal birth I would exaust all the above options before going for a version. Personally I think it is way too early to be considering a c-section.

EXACTLY everything she said.

katiebartton · April 2014

Thanks!! My PgAL paranoia would probably not let me attempt some of the stuff on spinning babies. Never thought of the acupuncture/chiropractor route! Thanks for that suggestion!

I know I have plenty of time and I'm sure he'll get the message and flip on his own. My brain was going since the doctor brought it up to me today.

Eta: updated title with appropriate ECV vs flip

courtneyjean1980 · April 2014

No firsthand experience (yet) but my LO has been hanging out transverse for well over a month, so I've started looking into stretches and exercises I can do to encourage her to move into position. The Spinning Babies website has a lot of good info. I also just read on the Camp Patton blog how the mom used peppermint oil on her belly to get baby to flip.

I personally would go for the manual version before I scheduled a c-section. I can't imagine the risks of attempting it (especially monitored in a hospital setting) would be greater than the risks of surgery.

shellbell813 · April 2014

I know lots of people have tried things like laying inverted and using cold/hot coaxing and had success. But it seems a bit early to be trying to get baby to turn because I'd be worried that he or she would just flip back to breech, but not sure about that.

katiebartton · April 2014

joules235 said:

@katiebartton said:

Thanks!! My PgAL paranoia would probably not let me attempt some of the stuff on spinning babies. Never thought of the acupuncture/chiropractor route! Thanks for that suggestion!

I know I have plenty of time and I'm sure he'll get the message and flip on his own. My brain was going since the doctor brought it up to me today.

Which exercises worry you? I would talk to your doctor about it, but honestly since he/she went right to ECV and c-sections at 32 weeks (!!) he/she might not be very much help.

Very true, she was a bit jumpy with it. I see an MFM biweekly as well so I could ask their opinion as well. A free 2nd opinion without cheating on my OB.

Nothing specific, just nervous having him flip without being monitored (although I'm hoping he does it on his own so that's the same thing. So there is zero logic to it I admit. Guess I'm just paranoid)

otter1103 · April 2014

I just asked my OB about this today. Last U/S had LO breech. I asked if she'll (OB) be able to tell if she flips later. She said when they start doing pelvic exams at 36'ish weeks they can usually tell but she has had some babies turn at 38 weeks. She didn't elaborate about any interventions to consider so I will just go with the flow until there's something to worry about. And for the record, by palpation and doppler position LO was still upright (I'm 30 weeks). Her head was pretty obvious when OB was feeling around.

Julie&Micah · April 2014

No experience in having interventions to flip a baby. But for what it's worth, my DD was breech until about 34ish weeks and I was worrying about having anything done, however, she ended up flipping herself around then. (I hadn't yet started any stretches to encourage flipping) It's good to think about what you could do to encourage flipping....but you still have some time

MrsCase1 · April 2014

I had a planned c/s so it was moot but my kid flipped on his own accord at 37 weeks. So, don't feel rushed into a surgery you don't want.

MrsP419 · April 2014

I would recommend a chiropractor. Not only can it help with 3rd tri pain and soreness, but it can encourage turning of the baby. The way I understand it (correct me if I am wrong), chiropractic does not do anything to flip the baby itself or in any unnatural way, but opens your pelvis and body so that the baby has more room and inclination to flip. After a chiropractic appt, my DS turned from sunny side up to facing my back the day before I went into labor.

tbmadeamistake · April 2014

I had a friend go through a version and she said it was more painful for her than the actual labor. It did work, and she went into labor shortly there after, they think the version contributed to the onset of labor in her case. If I had exhausted all other methods to encourage flipping and it was that or a c-section, I would still try it before a section.

Cherylwang · April 2014

I have no experience but I saw this done one tv once and it looked painful. The mom was laying with tears streaming down her face while 3 doctors turned the baby by pushing on her belly. It worked and she was able to deliver the baby.

ktwils2010 · April 2014

My dd was breech but unfortunately the OB practice didn't catch it until I was 39 weeks. So for the weeks leading up they had been telling me she was head down and I was doing all sorts of things to make the situation worse (squatting, birth ball, walking etc). Long story short - at 39 wks my fluid was on the low side, baby girl was firmly wedged in my pelvis and it was too late to try the version so we had a planned c section a couple days later. Had I known, I think I would have tried EVERYTHING possible to get her to flip including probably the version before agreeing to the c section. Hoping for a VBAC this go around!

katiebartton · April 2014

Cherylwang said:
I have no experience but I saw this done one tv once and it looked painful. The mom was laying with tears streaming down her face while 3 doctors turned the baby by pushing on her belly. It worked and she was able to deliver the baby.

Uh oh I have a feeling I should not seek out videos but how can I not? Zero willpower! I must watch!

chloephoebecali · April 2014

I did a chiro and some of the stretches. He flipped. Who knows if that was why, but I was happy not have to consider ECV.

RaisingABuzz · April 2014

I have not experienced it myself, but my sister had a successful ECV at 36 weeks. They did it in the hospital and they gave her an epidural which she said she was so thankful for. Baby stayed head down and she delivered her vaginally at 41 weeks!

A friend of mine, had a partially successful ECV at 37 weeks. The baby flipped just fine, but about an hour after the version her water broke. Baby was delivered vaginally, but had to stay in the NICU for about a week.

I would try doing the exercises at home and see if baby won't flip on his own.

katiebartton · April 2014

Babywear said:
Dumb FTM question...
My Dr hasn't even mentioned what way up bub is! I'm 31 weeks today (yayy) - when should the Dr be considering this? My movements are generally 'low'...

I'm a FTM so I'm not 100% and id imagine doctors are different. It just came up at my appointment today because we were discussing last growth scan report from my MFM and being breech was mentioned (as well as my complete previa moved to low lying woohoo)

I think they would normally have discussed with me at 36 weeks as that's when my practice goes ahead and schedules either the ECV or section for 39 weeks. (Which the section could be canceled if he flips on his own)

joywithsugar · April 2014

My first baby was breech at 20 weeks on my ultrasound and then wasn't at my 35 week internal exam. My 37 week internal indicated that it maybe wasn't his head down anymore and sure enough an ultrasound showed him breech again. My doctor suggested doing a version and I didn't know enough to object, nor feel like I had other options. I did try a few home options in between time like laying different ways, a flashlight, music etc all that stuff but he didnt turn. I went in for a version and it was unbelievably miserable. I would never suggest doing it. It was so physically painful and turned out being unsuccessful after two attempts (at 38 w 6 d and he was only 6.6 lbs) . Prior to the procedure my ob even really needed confirmation that I wanted it done bc she was hesistant due to how much it hurts. During the attempt to turn, my son's heartbeat dropped significantly during it and after delivery I discovered he really needed a good adjustment due to the rough procedure. I ended up having to deliver via csection immediately following. I really wish I had known about the Webster technique that a chiropractor does.

With this pregnancy I have been going to the chiropractor and what do you know... my hips keep going out again this pregnancy so my baby keeps wanting to go breech. My chiropractor does the webster technique every visit and immediately my baby goes wild inside because of the extra room. She basically adjusts what is out--my hips and then rubs the muscles on my pelvis/abs and it fixes it all. Obviously way more tolerable, in fact it feels good!

Since having the version I am very much an advocate for telling people not to do them because of my experience. My friend who lives in Germany due to a military husband went through the same thing and they apparently give an epidural. Now that says how much it hurts. Even though my csection recovery was super rough, I will go the route of a csection vs trying to turn the baby again. Then again maybe my csection recovery was more rough bc of the bruising all over my stomach. Not to scare you but I want you to be more informed than I was!!

Hope that helps!!

gatorMom2014 · April 2014

Two different coworkers have told me about their version experiences.

Lady 1 says absolutely never would she recommend it. She had one with her son--it was unbelieveable painful (even w epidural) and he went back to breech within hours of the version anyway. Also she said she woke up with bruises all around her stomach that she was not expecting.

Lady 2 has had successful versions with 3 babies and recommends it. She agreed that it causes lots of bruising. She also told me she convinced one friend to get it done, and that friend ended up going into labor during the version, and getting a c-section.

After hearing the two accounts, I really hope I don't end up having to make that decision, but my initial thought is that a c-section maybe less stressful to the baby than this rough procedure of basically forcing baby to spin from the outside!

ETA: accidentally hit post early

SecondTimeinMSU · April 2014

Yeah I am surprised your doctor is concerned already. I was still breech at 34 weeks last time and my doctor told me I had plenty of time and not to worry at all. Plenty of time was just under two weeks but it wasn't until after the birth that I realized it wasn't a problem and he must have flipped some time in those two weeks. Good luck!

BabyCurtiss2014 · April 2014

I would try exercises at home but other than that I would be ok with CS! It's safe and there are some benefits and breech baby falls in medically necessary reason for CS. Most of my friends ended up with a CS for one reason or another and no complaints babies are happy and healthy and recovery is not as horrible as we are all imagining. I admit I would be nervous to do a CS but would do it before any "procedure" to turn the baby. Good luck!!!

Cwhitaker27 · April 2014

Lurker here: I had a successful ECV with DS. They told me at 37 weeks that he was breech and that I had the option to try the ECV with immediate induction at 39 weeks or a scheduled c section. I wanted to avoid a c section at all costs so I opted to try the ECV.

I'm not gonna lie, it was definitely painful and I cried. They flipped him and immediately induced me because many times they can flip back. I delivered him vaginally the next day without complications. Prior to this I tried all spinning baby techniques without luck. I would try ECV again in a heartbeat if need be.

With all of this being said, can I ask what your body type is? My OB said she has only had a handful of successful versions and they've all been on taller/leaner people. She thinks it just allows more space for baby. Either way, good luck! It's still early, baby might surprise you and flip before your due date!

katiebartton · April 2014

Cwhitaker27 said:
Lurker here: I had a successful ECV with DS. They told me at 37 weeks that he was breech and that I had the option to try the ECV with immediate induction at 39 weeks or a scheduled c section. I wanted to avoid a c section at all costs so I opted to try the ECV.

I'm not gonna lie, it was definitely painful and I cried. They flipped him and immediately induced me because many times they can flip back. I delivered him vaginally the next day without complications. Prior to this I tried all spinning baby techniques without luck. I would try ECV again in a heartbeat if need be.

With all of this being said, can I ask what your body type is? My OB said she has only had a handful of successful versions and they've all been on taller/leaner people. She thinks it just allows more space for baby. Either way, good luck! It's still early, baby might surprise you and flip before your due date!

Thanks for the input!! I'm 5'5 and a size 8 so I guess medium build? For sure not lean or tall but probably good ol average.

PressLove · April 2014

Babywear said:

Dumb FTM question...
My Dr hasn't even mentioned what way up bub is! I'm 31 weeks today (yayy) - when should the Dr be considering this? My movements are generally 'low'...

I asked at my last appt (28 weeks) about position. Dr felt around and was able to tell me that LO's head is down. However, she moves so much that at today's appt (30 weeks) the position was totally different. I was told that they aren't really concerned until 36 weeks.

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Maybe a bit AWish - ECV - Breech ?

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