ECV And Breech Baby

My first four were breech (c-sections, unfortunately, I wish I'd found a better dr.) My fifth I did spinning babies, I didn't sit in a reclining position (sat on the floor a lot, and used a towel or pillow to push me forward in the car) and practiced turning the baby myself. You do this very slowly and take a lot of breaks- it should not take less then half an hour to turn a baby from breech to a head down position.

I have heard that ECV is very painful and your water can break. But, this is with drs who don't have time to do it properly. I suggest you call midwives in Austin and find out who turns breech babies. I know that my midwives in Houston have 100% success rate and it is NOT painful the way they do it. They usually take about 45 minutes to an hour to turn the baby. It's very gentle. If you can't find someone in Austin it's worth making an apt with a midwife in Houston or elsewhere.

Please feel free to PM me more.
S.

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The advice on the Spinning Babies website (from another poster) is great, and the Webster Technique by a chiropractor (from another poster) is some more great advice. (Only a few chiros do Webster...I had it done over the course of a month, like once or twice a week, and I KNOW it made a huge difference in my happy vbac birth story). Don't let any worry of "not being covered by insurance" deter you. Pay out of pocket if necessary if you need non-invasive intervensions. Do everything you possibly can to encourage the baby to turn to the optimal fetal position (did you try sliding down an angled ironing board on your tummy, over and over again for several days? An idea in an old midwives' manual). Are you willing to go to a new practitioner for delivery if your current one refuses to or cannot deliver breech (due to his certifying organization or hospital tying his hands, or lack of training/experience/confidence)? Hardly any OBs nowadays, sadly even in TX, will touch a breech with a 10 ft. pole (and TX is more friendly to vaginal breech births than almost every other state).I truly wish you the best outcome on your journey and salute you for your responsible approach to YOUR birth and your baby's welfare. Best wishes!

1 mom found this helpful

It did not work for me. I ended up having contractions which they were able to stop, but my water broke and she came three days later. I would not recommend the procedure, it was painful and I believe she was early because of the procedure. I had a C-section and was fine with that.

All my babies were breech until right before labor/delivery. They turned on their own.

H.,

I had this procedure with my first child. I've heard it can be painful, but I didn't feel a thing! In fact the doctors were very amazed at how easy it was.

I hope it goes as well for you!

H.-
My first child was breech. I chose not to do the procedure. Had I gone through with it I would have had my son the day the procedure was done, I know this because when he was delivered by c-sect his cord was around his neck. My doctor told me that my "instincts" to not do the procedure were good ones. I had talked to quite a few people and the turning procedure worked, but they said they would not do it again.

Mel G

I had this done with my first baby after lots of acupuncture, moxibustion, strange positions, etc. Didn't hurt at all, but it did tickle. They couldn't turn my big boy until I stopped tensing everytime it tickled!

Good luck. I highly recommend it. It's lots less stressful than finding out during the pushing stage that the baby is a surprise breech (that was baby #2).

H., I've never heard of an ECV but is that basically a "version?" ...where the doctor flips the baby while monitoring him/her on U/S. If you are referring to a version, I had one with my son and I'm glad I did it. For me, the doctor flipped him within 20 seconds. It was painful but looking back on it now, it wasn't that bad and far better to attempt that than having a c-section. He stayed head down after the version but I had to have a c-section anyway since he wouldn't fit through the birth canal. :( Let me tell you, the version was far better than the recovery of a c-section. I was really nervous about the version because I knew there were some risks. However, my doctor said in the many years he has been doing them, he's never had one go wrong. I think the risk is quite minimal (not to mention, it is performed in the hospital in case of an emergency). Lastly, my girlfriend had one a week after I had mine. We had the same doctor and it took him 2 minutes to flip her baby. Fortunately, the baby stayed put and she had her baby naturally (so it was worth it).

I have had that done and unfortunately for me, it was not successful and very painful... they try to give you something for the pain but its not much because of the baby... what the doctor does is take his hands on the outside of your tummy and find the head and but... then try to manually turn your baby from the outside by pushing really really hard... i cant stress how painful this is... when this does not work... they will tell you that they can go into you with one hand but that will have to be scheduled with a c section... because if that does not work then the c sec is the only option and must be done immediatley after... my daughter was delivered by way of c sec... it didnt work for me because her chord was wrapped around her midsection like a yo yo... so she was sideways... they tell you it doesnt work for everyone... i wish you luck...

Hi H.,
Both of my pregnancies I was breech and I had successful EVC's with both of them as well. It is painful but for only 30 seconds. It ONLY hurts when the dr is turning the baby and it a very very short amount of time. If you have any other questions about the procedure, feel free to email me. I can fill you on the details if you like:)
wish you all the luck.
p.s The procedure was safe for both of my pregnancies and I had vaginal deliveries

Isn't there a possibility of baby turning still? I've not been breech though know babies can suddenly change positions. While having back labor, baby turned when switching positions to a doggy style with waggles of hips, but this was working with contractions helping baby. Have you talked to any midwives? They might have some ideas for you. I've heard of some kind of manipulation/ massage...sorry not more help...know there's bound to be someone with more knowledge.

At my 35wk appt. we discovered that my son was breech. My doctor gave him a week to turn on his own(which I am very thankful for). My husband & I checked out the website spinningbabies.com & talked with our doula. I used a few different techniques, handstands in a warm pool, massage, & a modified plank pose-knees on the couch with my forearms on the floor (your bottom is way up in the air). I also quit reclining back while sleeping & sitting. It worked! When we went back the next week he had turned (my guess is while I was sleeping).

Now, a friend of mine was pregnant & her baby was breech. She ended up doing the ECV & went into labor right away. She ended up having a c-section as the cord was wrapped around the baby's neck.

Remember the most important thing, is to have a healthy baby & healthy mom-however that has to happen.

Good luck!
S. S.

H., there is a very effective, much less invasive, totally painless technique for correcting breech presentation called "Webster Technique". It can safely and easily be performed as late as 40 weeks (I know because I've done it!)and corrects all types of malpositioning. For a practitioner near you, consult the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association's website www.icpa4kids.org/locator/index.php.
Take a deep breath and relax--you and your baby deserve the chance to avoid c-section, and this technique has a high success rate, as well as a perfect safety record.

My son was breeach. The doctor tried turning him. It was uncomfortable, and didn't work. The main thing I remember was that they wouldn't let have a drink of water. I still ended up having a c-section, but it was worth a try.

Hi There-

I just wanted to send some encouragement. My first two pregnancies I had breech babies and had to have csections. I went through all the anxieties of thinking about the fact that they were breech and sad that I had to have csections. I had csections with them and had a wonderful experience! They are 6 and 4 now. Good luck with your delivery. I know it is an emotional time but hang in there!

T.

You might want to look at this web site, it has really good information for turning even breech babies...

http://spinningbabies.com/index.php

Hi--If your baby is still breech, please contact the midwife at Health & Freedom Midwifery Care, ###-###-####.

Her name is Chris Duffy and she claims 100% success with versions. I can account for 2 of 2-very satisfied clients who did birth with me!
thanks, Kathy