I just had this done yesterday and it worked! After months of trying chiropractic, spinning babies techniques, moxibustion a few times, etc., the baby was still breech. My first baby was a scheduled c-section due to breech so this really freaked me out. I didn't try a version last time because the doctors talked me out of it. This time, I went to a bigger city to a teaching hospital where they do them a lot and it was no big deal. My husband is in Korea and my mom came with me to watch my 2 year old.
I was in the room by myself and it was fine. The key is to have a provider who wants to do it and has experience. That doesn't guarantee success, but it sure helps build your confidence that they are working for you.
From check in to check out, it was about 4 hours. They took vitals, put in an iv line with fluids (they want an iv in case there is a problem and you need emergency surgery, plus, they want you NPO after midnight so the fluids keep you hydrated). Then, they put me on the monitor for an hour. Next, the doctor and a resident came in with an ultrasound machine and determined the baby's position. The nurse gave me a shot in the arm of muscle relaxer and finally, the doctor guided and assisted the resident in turning the baby. That part was very quick, a few minutes. They held the baby's head in place for a minute or so and then kept me on the monitor for 2 hours afterwards. After about 45 minutes the doctor came back and checked to see that the baby's had was still down and it was. He told me it is his protocol to keep people for 2 hours but that everything looked good and he would have the nurse release me after the full 2 hours passed.
My procedure was performed at 36 weeks, 2 days. They like to do it at about 36 weeks because the amount of amniotic fluid is enough to give some room to move, but not so much that the baby will be more like to flip back. Also, at 36 weeks, if something does go wrong and they have to do an emergency delivery, the baby is developed enough to be unlikely to have long term consequences of premature delivery. I do know people who have had it done later and it worked s well.
As for how it felt, it wasn't comfortable, but wasn't horrible as I had been told when I was pregnant the first time. I got sweaty and faint from laying on my back, but it wasn't very long. The put a cool wash cloth on my face and that helped. I sat up afterwards also.
I just closed my eyes and used my Hypnobabies cues"Peace" and "Relax" to keep myself calm. Don't watch the monitor. Don't watch the doctors. Just close your eyes and relax and let them do their thing.
I hope my baby stays head down. It is hard to believe I am finally normal!
I wish I would have tried it last time, but I just didn't have anyone with a good experience or who really wanted to do it and so I had a c-section, never imagining that I'd find myself in the same position the next pregnancy.
Bottomline, it is definitely worth trying and you should not be scared!
and I'm afraid of the possible turning.
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