external cephalic version success?

[sanguine_speed]

I have an ECV scheduled for Monday.
My last baby was born frank breech at 34 weeks after a pre-term mebrane rupture.
This baby is big as were my previous babies, so we're trying the version eariler rather than later (34 weeks).

Anyone care to share success stories? Non-successful? Horror?

I've never had a baby change presentation once presentation was identified in pregnancy whether vertex or breech. This baby has been breech as long as I could tell--just totally jacknifed in there like his/her brother was. I know we need to do the version now.
I'm particularly concerned about going full-term with a breech as my babies have been big and the current guidelines opt out babies estimated to be 4000g or more. I've had one before a due date be bigger than that, and my 34-weeker was 6 1/2 lbs.
Now, I did birth my breech in a hostile environment last time AMA, but I just don't want to do it that way again if I can avoid it. I also figure they'll overestimate weight on the u/s they use to estimate weight. Since I KNOW I'll be at least close...I am really hoping to avoid the whole scenario.

BTW, I'm fully familiar with spinningbabies from last time and have tried all kinds of things including Webster, inversion, swimming and will be trying moxibustion this time too.

[LittleLegos]

Not personal experience...but a very good friend of mine had a c-section for 1st baby due to breech presentation. 2nd baby they found was breech too and did the version. It was very successful, don't remember hearing that it was painful or anything, and the baby stayed head down and had a great VBAC. I actually attended the birth and it went very well.

Good luck!

[Kuba'sMama]

Hi;
I had the version late, about 37 weeks with my last pregnancy. It took about an hour and I was bruised afterwards, very sore (not crampy sore, but a bruised feeling). Initially, the version was considered unsuccessful, but I was on my way to the c-section and the doctor pulled me in for a "last minute ultrasound". She then announced the baby had turned! I was so bruised, I didn't feel it I guess. I think it was mostly likely the version that caused her to turn, as she was quite big by then. Regardless, I was sent home from my scheduled c-section and went on to have a natural birth 3 weeks later.
Good luck!

[aloneinid]

My close friend had a ECV between 36-38 weeks with her first baby. It was not successful. She couldn't tolerate the pain of the procedure and stopped not too long after the doctor started. I think they had even given her a medication to help her relax (or to relax her uterus?). She went ahead and scheduled a c-section (baby was approximately 7lbs at birth). (She did not attempt any other methods of turning the baby). However, she went on to have a successful HBAC for her second birth. Maybe by doing the ECV earlier you will have better success. Best of luck to you.

[BlackSheepPDX]

I don't recall exactly how far along she was, but a friend of mine had a successful ECV. She did have to do it in two parts, as things were getting a bit stressful in the first round, but she was able to go back (the next day?) and get the rest of the way there. She then had a normal delivery. Wishing you good luck!

[kms7z]

I just had a successful version last night at 38 weeks. There was quite a bit of fetal monitoring before and after, so the whole visit took a long time. The actual turning was *very* quick, like it seemed to be only 15-30 seconds. It didn't hurt at all, but I admit it was a bit scary feeling bc there is a lot of pressure on your abdomen and diaphragm, so you kind of have to breathe like you would breathe in labor (I did at least-- hypnobirthing breathing worked for me). I had the torbutaline (sp?) to relax my uterus, and it wasn't that bad. And they did an u/s before and afterwards.

I should add that the OB I saw is very experienced in this and has a great reputation etc. I think the environment and the OB/etc's experience makes a difference. Also, my baby was *willing* to turn. I think some babies can't/won't for various legit reasons. And I have plenty of fluid and there were no cord issues (entanglement, length was fine etc).

Now I just am paranoid the baby will flip up again... I am going to a chiro and will probably try moxabustion as well to maintain this position.

[andreac]

Originally Posted by kms7z

I just had a successful version last night at 38 weeks. There was quite a bit of fetal monitoring before and after, so the whole visit took a long time. The actual turning was *very* quick, like it seemed to be only 15-30 seconds. It didn't hurt at all, but I admit it was a bit scary feeling bc there is a lot of pressure on your abdomen and diaphragm, so you kind of have to breathe like you would breathe in labor (I did at least-- hypnobirthing breathing worked for me). I had the torbutaline (sp?) to relax my uterus, and it wasn't that bad. And they did an u/s before and afterwards.

I should add that the OB I saw is very experienced in this and has a great reputation etc. I think the environment and the OB/etc's experience makes a difference. Also, my baby was *willing* to turn. I think some babies can't/won't for various legit reasons. And I have plenty of fluid and there were no cord issues (entanglement, length was fine etc).

Now I just am paranoid the baby will flip up again... I am going to a chiro and will probably try moxabustion as well to maintain this position.

My experience was almost identical to yours. I had mine very late, I was 39+ weeks. I went on to have a successful homebirth at 41+ weeks.

Good Luck!

[sanguine_speed]

Thanks for sharing your stories!!

[sweet_tart_vt]

I had a version at 39 weeks for my 5th baby. Up until then I had tried every method I could think of to try and turn her: chiro, slant board, music, moxibustion, pulsatilla, exercises, swimming, you name it, I tried, but to no avail. She was our 2nd planned UC and I really did feel that I would do fine having her at home breech, I trusted myself and my body to do what was right. My Dh supported me whether i decided on the version or to just let her be. I am human, like all the rest of us, and recieved a lot of pressure from "concerned" family members and others, and reluctantly I decided to go through with the ECV.

At the hospital I refused the IV and the meds, and told them to just go ahead and do the procedure. I had to sign some stupid papers stating I had "refused certain procedures in spite of medical advice" blah blah blah (to cover their arse) but they knew I meant business and didnt harp on it. The procedure itself took all of 5mins (spent more time hooked up before and after to the monitor, and them verifying position on the u/s) and was quite uncomfortable (i have a high pain tolerance) but I was able to breathe through it without much difficulty. The procedure was successful, she tolerated it well, and I left the hosp to go home after being there for about 2hrs max. I was crazy-SORE for about 3 days after, and just as a PP stated, it was a terrible bruised feeling, I even had a few small black and blues on my belly! She was born 6 days after he procedure, at home, Uc as planned after a 9hr uneventful undramatic labor. She was a tiny girl 6lbs even, and had a very short cord, which to me explained the reason why she had chosen to remain breech. She was perfectly fine, and is now an almost 4 yr old little diva.
We are expecting baby #7 (our 3rd girl) 5/16 and if she chooses to be breech (she's head down for now at 30wks) this time I will trust my instincts and allow her to turn/not turn as she sees fit and birth her with love and trust.

[sanguine_speed]

Thanks mamas!

My ECV will be out of hospital with no meds or other interventions.

I would not feel comfortable birthing a breech out of hospital as I have had a head entrapment before (my last breech). Whether this is statistically likely to happen again or not, I'm not comfortable with being away from resus help that my baby so desperately needed last time. Also, my midwife would risk her license if she attended, and I wouldn't ask her to be in that position, so it's home alone or hospital with attendants.

[hapersmion]

Your DS is already two?!!? I remember your birth story!

I had an ECV that didn't work, but I was about 38 weeks. We tried for a good while, and they wouldn't attempt it without Breathine. :P It hurt a good bit, enough that I couldn't relax my shoulders and feet while the OB was pushing, though I did try very hard to keep my abdomen relaxed. Since you'll be out of the hospital, I think your odds are good that it won't be painful, though. I think midwives tend to understand gentleness better than OBs.

I did feel like it was worth a try, even though it was unpleasant and didn't work. With my second son, I felt as though I was destined to have another breech - it took me weeks to really believe he was head-down! But in the end he was born vertex. So, just because you haven't had one turn before doesn't mean it can't happen. Good luck!

[sanguine_speed]

Thanks . And thanks for remembering my birth story. I couldn't have done it without the amazing support of so many women including those from MDC.
Yes, that little guy is now actually 2 years and 8 months!