Ecv

Try a chiro!! Dr Sean Manning in Oak Park is great, if he is to far he might be able to give a recommendation for one closer to you. Spinning babies is a great website as well. But yes I would try a version before I consented to a c-section.

Hi C.,

I wrote an article about this in 2006 for Chicago Baby. Here's a link to the article:
http://www.chicagoparent.com/article.asp?aID=77842391.###...

If that doesn't work, go to www.chicagoparent.com and type in When Pregnancy Takes a Wrong Turn in the search box.

There's advice from doctors and moms in it.

Good luck with your decision!!!!

M.

Before you agree to this, consider seeing a chiropractor that is experienced in the Webster method. It is an adjustment specifically for pregnant women who need to turn a breech baby. I also agree with the website www.spinningbabies.com.

I had it done and it wasn't a positive experience for me nor did it work. I had pain meds but the pain was so bad and I was a bit traumatized when it was over. If I could have done it again I think I would try chiropractic work first, I have heard of doctors that work with you to move the baby through this method.

Also last time this question was asked on mamsource a lot of woman said that their experience was not painful so still keep it as an option and continue your research. Good luck.

I JUST went through this a few weeks ago. Just to warn you, it is pretty darn painful, and it is odd because someone is doing it TO you and part of you wants to yell at them to stop....but you know it is what you want. I really agonized over the decision and did a lot of digging to learn about complication rates....and they are only 1-2% so it is very safe. I also tried going to a chiropractor who does Webster technique which helps open up your pelvis as much as possible so that the baby will turn on their own. It is said to have a pretty high success rate as well. During my version, they were able to turn my son from his head being up on my left side to his head being down at mt right hip......BUT they couldn't get him all the way, he was fighting it and it was hurting me too much so they wanted me to come back the day after next to try to finish it, but by that time he had turned completely back to where he was. My water started leaking the next day and I went in to be checked the day after (didn't know that it was fluid I was leaking) and ended up with a C. My first labor was completely natural except for being induced. The healing for the C was very different...but I would still do all I could to try to avoid it as it is major surgery and is much more risky.

To find a Webster certified chiropractor, go to http://www.icpa4kids.org/locator/index.php

Good luck to you!

I recommend giving it a shot. I have watched quite a few of these- they can be a little uncomfortable for mom, but if you can get baby to turn, well worth it.

There are also other ways to encourage baby to turn. A chiropractor can perform Webster turning techniques which is highly succesful. Accupuncture has had great success as well. The website www.spinningbabies.com has great info on how to get babies to turn.

There's every reason to think that your baby will turn before your due date- only 4% of babies are breech at term. I would do anything possible to avoid a c-section. If this is your second baby there are some doctors who will deliver a vaginal breech. Sections are not always the safest choice for breech but there are not many doctors who are trained in breech deliveries these days. Explore your options!

I've done it and yes, I would definitely recommend it. But I would also try a bunch of other things... it's not too late, even at 36 weeks.

See a chiropractor who does the Webster Maneuver (Dr. Nella at Bucktown Chiropractic is who I see, and I originally saw her for the same thing when I was 36 weeks preg with my first). Do breech tilts. Consult www.spinningbabies.com for all sorts of other advice.

The ECV is not really painful, but it is not very comfortable either. There's about a 60% success rate with the procedure - more if it's not your first child, and slightly less if it is (things move better when your uterus has already stretched out a bit). They put you on a fetal monitor for a little bit to make sure everything's ok. Then they'll probably give you a shot of something to relax the muscles in your uterus (I can't remember the drug name) - it makes you feel dizzy for a second. Then they'll give it a good shot, trying to turn the baby. I had 2 docs who worked together when they tried it on me. They gave it 2 tries and were unable to get his butt out of my pelvis. They recommended that they stop at that point and I agreed that, despite my disapoointment, I didn't want to stress the baby by forcing him to turn if he really didn't want to. So, mine was unsuccessful. Anyway, then they'll monitor you for about another hour to make sure the baby is fine, and send you on your way.

In my opinion, having had a c-section b/c my baby was breech (I'm now 30 weeks pregnant and am planning to VBAC my second) I would 100% try an ECV again. It beats the H*LL out of major abdominal surgery. A vaginal birth is much easier on you and better for the baby.

Good luck!!

Do not do that until you have gone for moxibustion through a reputable accupuncturist. I was recommended to do it at 36 weeks too and the night I had it done, by baby turned. And whoa, could I tell it was turning. It was so amazing, and it did not hurt, just was very intense. I wasn't recommended to do the ecv cause there are risks and usually it doesn't work. The C-section is even worse. Please go for the moxi. It really really works. Research it and go - QUICK.

Oh - and Webster technique does not work as well...

I had the external cephalic version with my second son.
The pros are obvious- a vaginal delivery
The Cons are: --The cord could get wrapped around the neck or rip but the baby is monitored by an ultrasound so the doctor can see the cord. The ECV may work but the baby may turn and return to breech positon again before birth.
The procedure was a piece of cake for me. My doctor was able to turn the baby in less than 5 minutes. They gave me a girdle type thingee to wear to try to keep the baby from turning back to breech. I had a normal vaginal delivery. I decided to have ECV because I had another son at home that was 1.5 years and knew I would not have the time needed to recover from a c-section. I would recommend it.
Good luck to you and your little bundle.