Experiences of ECV.....

[pyjamarama]

I am 35 weeks and baby has been breech pretty much the whole time, I have spent hours with my arse in the air, to no avail; so I am considering ECV. What are people's experiences, was it painful? Did it work? Did baby stay head down, and how was the subsequent birth? Please don't scare me too much!

[frogs]

I have posted several times before about ECV if you search the archives. Mine worked (though it was my 3rd pregnancy -- the success rate is lower in 1st pgs), and uncomfortable but not agony.

Went on to have a completely normal birth.

You might also investigate acupuncture and chiropractic -- both have some success in making babies turn.

[McDreamy]

HI I had one in my first pregnancy. Unfortunately it didn't work, DD was firmly stuck in place and not moving!! Mine was very sore but I know a couple of people who have been more successful and didn't feel any pain! Good luck

[pyjamarama]

Thanks, I have had a browse through previous threads, and am investigating acupuncture!

[finallypregnant]

I have been reading up on this too. Apparently only a 50% success rate though.

[Fleurie76]

PJ
I had an ECV two weeks ago which was successful and baby is now head down.

I wasnt sure if it would work as baby had been breech for as long as the mw could feel it and it was clearly happy where it was!
It was a little painful when they started to move the baby but this was mainly because the head had been in the same place for weeks and I had a bit of a sore spot where the head had been bashing away for weeks!

Apart from that it was a bit uncomfortable but nothing awful and I was well monitored and informed all the way through.

It isn't anything to be scared of and is a good option to try if your baby hasn't turned. It isn't always successful but it's worth giving a go if you are keen to avoid a c-section, but if you aren't worried about a c-section (I was personally easy as to whether the baby turned or not!) you don't have to have an ECV.

Can't tell you about subsequent birth as it hasn't happened yet but keep an eye out for a birth announcement in the next couple of weeks!
Good luck

[Tangle]

I declined an ECV and had DD as a home breech birth with independent midwives. It was a very calm and low stress afair that wasn't even particularly painful (even though she was 9lb 12 and my first), and I'd do it again tomorrow.

ECV and CS aren't the only two options available for breech babies