External Version?????

[nalusj]

Anyone??? They have me scheduled for one next Thurs. I will be 37 weeks. Anyone had any experience with this? I am hesitant.

[octanebeetle27]

Not in your DD club but...

I had an ECV with my second child. They hooked me up to an i.v. and gave me stadol and a muscle relaxer (it's best to be as relaxed as possible for the procedure). The pressure of the doctor pushing on my belly was amazing and I was pretty sore for a few days afterwards. It was definitely not a pleasant experience but it was quick! Unfortunately the procedure was unsuccessful at turning the baby so I ended up with a c-section. I would definitely attempt an ECV if I had another baby who was breech--it's not a horrible experience and well worth the chance to avoid a c-section (also not a bad experience for me but I'd rather not go there again!). I think mine might have been a little more uncomfortable b/c my baby's butt was already wedged so far down in my pelvis--but that's just a guess!

Good luck!!!

[amybird]

nalusj - I also have an external version scheduled for Thursday, at 37 weeks and 3 days. It does sound uncomfortable, but I can't NOT try. Even if the EV is unsuccessful, I'll keep trying inversions and chiropractic care up to the scheduled C section date.

Personally, I will only be at peace with a C section knowing I tried everything I could to get baby turned. I have, along with my DH and CNM, ruled out breech vaginal delivery. Very individual decisions, of course, and your choices may be different!

To maximize chances of a successful EV, I'm drinking tons of water to build amnio fluid, doing inversions to keep baby high and out of my pelvis, and seeing a chiropractor for the Webster technique. And who knows...with all these measures, baby may still turn voluntarily. (Though that head has been up top for at least six weeks that I'm aware of ).

Just know you're not alone. I'm glad you posted this thread, because I, too, am curious about the EV experiences of others.

[carseatqueen]

Have you been seeing a chiropractor? My baby flipped the day after my first appointment at 36 weeks, and is still that way at 37 weeks. Plus, I feel so much better that it would be worth it even if baby didn't flip!

I know it's not 100%, but it's much less invasive than an external version so I'd try it first.

[nalusj]

I did try the chiropractor once last week. She did this "table drop" thing that really freaked me out. She said it is totally safe for baby but I don't get that feeling. I am totally new to chiropractic treatment so that might be normal but it sure felt "off." I am trying acupuncture again on Wed. What exactly do they do in the Webster technique?
Thanks for the responses for those of you who have had an external version. I get worried about cord/placenta issues as well as forcing baby into a position he/she is not comfortable in. There must be a reason, right? My sister-in-law's midwife described breech babies as "another version of normal." I like hearing this and wish it felt like that.

[JenMidwife]

Originally Posted by nalusj

My sister-in-law's midwife described breech babies as "another version of normal."

I love this!

lurking from April ddc...

fyi there is a lot of evidence that EV is safe in the hands of an experienced practitioner & is considered best practice at term, prior to a c/s for breech.

also, there is a lot of evidence that acupuncture moxabustion is effective for turning breech (google it if not familiar)

check out www.spinningbabies.com too

[cairomama]

My fist baby was a c-section due to breech. I tried a lot of natural things to get hm turned and he didn't. the doctors talked me out of ECV. With this pregnancy, I had a breech as well. Dod chiropractic from 20 weeks tried a bit of moxibustion, inversions, hot and cold, Hypnosis/mediation/visualization, etc. Nothing was working so I went to a bigger city and they did an external version.

It was very easy and not painful. It wasn't comfortable, but not terrible (I was doing some Hypnobabies cues). The monitoring before and after took several hours (1 before and 2 after), but the actual procedure was about a minute.
They gave me a muscle relaxer to prevent contractions in the uterus, but I did not have any pain relief.

ECV is safe, even for VBACs, like me if the doctor knows what they are doing. In fact, an experienced doctor assisted a resident on my procedure. It was her first time and he talked her through it.

Two weeks later, I am still head down. I hope she stays that way!

36-37 weeks is the best time to do an ECV b/c you have enough fluid and space to move, yet baby is developed enough to deliver if there is a problem.

The worst part of the whole thing was lying on my back which made me sweaty and faint. Felt that during the c-section, too.

My advice: do the version! Sit up afterwards, I've read that helps. Keep yourself as relaxed as possible and it will be fine.

[amydidit]

I'm glad that ECV is available as an option, but personally I would only consent to it if the baby was transverse. A breech birth doesn't scare me so I wouldn't do something like an ECV since it can have risks.

[cairomama]

Finding a provider to support breech birth is very hard in the US. It is not an option for most people in the US unless you want to do UC. Even homebirth midwives in my area do not plan breech births. Some midwives are very experienced with breech birth and very comfortable, but not in my area. Is your SIL's midwife close enough to take you as a client? If not, maybe she can help you find someone in your area. In some countries, (and in the US 30 years ago) breech was treated as a variation of normal.

That said, if you aggressively ask around you might be able to find someone to support you in a breech birth, especially if you have the right type of breech and fit some other health/size qualifications.

The serious risks of ECV are very rare. It is more likely that it just won't work than it is that you will have to have an ER c-section from it.

I think the key is to have a provider that is comfortable and experienced with ECV. It is more likely to work and less likely to have problems.

As for Webster, they do a ligament massage to try to release uterine restraint. My chiro did the table drop thing as well. I think that it is worth doing, even if it doesn't work because it may help the version go better.

If your baby needs to be breech, the baby will probably flip right back after the version.

Don't give up. Know that you have options. You will have to scramble to find someone to talk about breech birth with, but it is worth doing. Once you have one c-section, you are more likely to have issues in subsequent pregnancies and more difficulty for your next pregnancy. Trust me. I wish I would have explored my options more in my first pregnancy.

I wouldn't worry about having an ECV, though. I'm very glad I did it with this pregnancy. My best to you!

[GoGoGirl]

I'm having an ECV on Tuesday. I'll be 38 weeks. I'll post back here and tell you how it goes!

The weird thing to me is that I'm not supposed to have anything to eat or drink after midnight on Monday. Doesn't it seem like it would be easier to move the baby with more amniotic fluid? My midwife said that my hydration doesn't have anything to do with levels of amniotic fluid, but that seems illogical to me. And come on, I'm pregnant and THIRSTY, how will I go that long without drinking?

My only guess is that they want nothing by mouth in case I need general anesthesia for an emergency c-section. But I thought that had been proven to not actually be a concern with general anesthesia. Ugh, doctors, hospitals, protocol!

[Devaskyla]

Yeah, the NPO thing hasn't actually been a concern with general since the 50's or something. Not to mention, even if aspiration were a risk, aspirating stomach acid is more dangerous than aspirating stomach acid + food/water. Shows how slow they are to bother keeping up. I'd just drink & lie.

And your hydration definitely affects the level of amniotic fluid, though indirectly. If you get dehydrated, baby is very likely to be dehydrated=less fluid.

[cairomama]

I didn't eat anything after midnight because my procedure was scheduled for early morning and I didn't want food in my stomach while they were pushing around. I did drink, though, just didn't say anything.

[JessBB]

My midwives referred me out to an OB to attempt an ECV last Monday. I was 36w6d. Unfortunately he didn't want to risk it because I had a high, large placenta that was blocking baby's route! But I wasn't told to fast, no fluids, etc. so I don't know anything about that. The midwives told me it is either a really gentle thing that works, or it doesn't - it shouldn't be forceful or painful.

So now I am continuing with chiropractor, underwater headstands, inversions, etc. I am not sure if baby has turned but I am trying not to overthink it. The *only* way to do a vag breech in our area is to switch to a home birth - which is not something we feel comfortable with at this point - so I could be facing a c/s which is kind of a bummer since ds1 was a natural vag birth out of the hospital, but I feel like the baby has his own body wisdom and won't turn unless it's best for him!

Good luck and I hope your ECV goes better than mine!

[amybird]

Regarding no food or drink...I was told to eat a very light breakfast in the early morning, then no food and light hydration until the procedure at 12:30pm. The reason given by my care providers: I'll be more comfortable during the procedure with an empty stomach, with less chance of nausea/vomiting. Makes sense to me.

[mom2tatum]

Originally Posted by Devaskyla

Yeah, the NPO thing hasn't actually been a concern with general since the 50's or something. Not to mention, even if aspiration were a risk, aspirating stomach acid is more dangerous than aspirating stomach acid + food/water. Shows how slow they are to bother keeping up. I'd just drink & lie.

And your hydration definitely affects the level of amniotic fluid, though indirectly. If you get dehydrated, baby is very likely to be dehydrated=less fluid.

:

[JenMidwife]

Originally Posted by Devaskyla

Yeah, the NPO thing hasn't actually been a concern with general since the 50's or something. Not to mention, even if aspiration were a risk, aspirating stomach acid is more dangerous than aspirating stomach acid + food/water. Shows how slow they are to bother keeping up.

Yes, but NPO after midnight the day before a procedure is still the standard at most hospitals, so that doesn't surprise me.

[joyfulgrrrl]

I had an ECV with my previous pregnancy, and it was successful. Prior to that we tried moxibustion, inversion, chiropractic, acupuncture, crawling downstairs headfirst, you name it, I tried it.

Prior to the ECV I did spend a lot of time visualizing a successful procedure.

I did not eat prior to the ECV but did drink a lot of water to keep the amniotic fluid up, after having done the research and decided that the risk/benefit was something I was comfortable with.

Once the ECV was done, I was overwhelmed with relief, DD stayed put, and we had a fabulous homebirth.

[carseatqueen]

Originally Posted by cairomama

Finding a provider to support breech birth is very hard in the US. It is not an option for most people in the US unless you want to do UC. Even homebirth midwives in my area do not plan breech births. Some midwives are very experienced with breech birth and very comfortable, but not in my area. Is your SIL's midwife close enough to take you as a client? If not, maybe she can help you find someone in your area. In some countries, (and in the US 30 years ago) breech was treated as a variation of normal.

That said, if you aggressively ask around you might be able to find someone to support you in a breech birth, especially if you have the right type of breech and fit some other health/size qualifications.

The serious risks of ECV are very rare. It is more likely that it just won't work than it is that you will have to have an ER c-section from it.

I think the key is to have a provider that is comfortable and experienced with ECV. It is more likely to work and less likely to have problems.

As for Webster, they do a ligament massage to try to release uterine restraint. My chiro did the table drop thing as well. I think that it is worth doing, even if it doesn't work because it may help the version go better.

If your baby needs to be breech, the baby will probably flip right back after the version.

Don't give up. Know that you have options. You will have to scramble to find someone to talk about breech birth with, but it is worth doing. Once you have one c-section, you are more likely to have issues in subsequent pregnancies and more difficulty for your next pregnancy. Trust me. I wish I would have explored my options more in my first pregnancy.

I wouldn't worry about having an ECV, though. I'm very glad I did it with this pregnancy. My best to you!

Exactly! Thankfully the Webester technique has worked for me, although I think baby my had flipped back and forth this weekend. Other than being stressful that's not a big deal since I know there must be enough room for baby to flip around still.

Honestly, I wouldn't stress at all except that I am dealing with m/ws that have certain laws thay have to abide by, and there are legal issues with them deliver known breech babies. Since my baby is frank breech when ever he/she is breech and I've already had two natural vaginal births I'm in the "best case" scenario for a vaginal breech, if I can find someone who will do it. I'm just hoping that baby will decide that head down is better. It sure is more comfortable for me!

[nalusj]

Originally Posted by GoGoGirl

I'm having an ECV on Tuesday. I'll be 38 weeks. I'll post back here and tell you how it goes!

I am anxious to hear how things go for you tomorrow. Let us know! Flipping baby vibes to you.

[GoGoGirl]

Originally Posted by nalusj

I am anxious to hear how things go for you tomorrow. Let us know! Flipping baby vibes to you.

Thank you! Eeeeeeek, I'm nervous. The midwife said that if the baby doesn't turn, I can expect the doctors to try to bully me into a c-section on the spot. (Wouldn't that be convenient for them? Heck, I'll already have the IV in, why not just get the baby out now? So what if she's two weeks early? )

I'm really hoping the baby just chills out and turns around, so I won't have to do battle. But if worse comes to worse, I WILL DO BATTLE!!! (Where's the empowered mama lion ready to fight for her lion cub smilie? Ok, I guess that's close enough )