Hellobee Boards Topic: Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?

Hellobee Boards Topic: Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 20:12:17 +0000 travelgirl1 on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2450451 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 06:09:01 +0000 travelgirl1 2450451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I didn't have one and had a planned c-section instead. I felt like I would panic, which would make baby panic since she responded to my heart rate, and I did not want them to take her early because of that. I figured she was in the position she probably needed to be in. Waterbaby on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2450438 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 05:25:48 +0000 Waterbaby 2450438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My son was breech at 28 weeks and he never moved. My OB told me my options (try ECV or have c-section). It was my first pregnancy and I had a fibroid so I opted for the c-section. Like @lovehoneybee I also felt like maybe he was that way for a reason and I didn't want to mess with it. Kemma on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2450395 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 01:34:58 +0000 Kemma 2450395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I had a successful and easy ECV done at 38 weeks and would definitely attempt another if need be. My philosophy was that without an ECV I had no chance of having a vaginal birth but with it I had at least a 50% chance. The risk factor for the ECV was 0.05% so only 1 in every 200 ECV's resulted in an emergency c-section and the procedure was done at L & D. avivoca on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449511 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 15:19:00 +0000 avivoca 2449511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Probably not. I would prefer to attempt a vaginal breech birth. Cole on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449500 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 15:12:56 +0000 Cole 2449500@https://boards.hellobee.com/ If I could find someone who does them frequently and has a good success rate I would consider it. I would be nervous about when to do it though since I obviously don't want to evict baby too soon. erinpye on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449493 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 15:07:34 +0000 erinpye 2449493@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I was planning on one, and then my second baby flipped super late! lovehoneybee on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449365 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 14:20:29 +0000 lovehoneybee 2449365@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I declined an ECV for my breech baby and ended up with a planned c-section. I had over 10 ultrasounds with this pregnancy (I honestly lost track), and at every one after 24ish weeks they commented how she was snuggling up to the (bi-lobal, anterior, high at the top of my uterus placenta). She was in the same position at every ultrasound after that. MFM told me that most babies are optimally positioned in the uterus, and even though I knew it guaranteed a c-section I just couldn't shake the feeling that she was exactly when she was meant to be and that trying to force her to turn would end badly. Raindrop on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449357 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 14:15:23 +0000 Raindrop 2449357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I went in for an ECV at 38 weeks... I was not a candidate because of his position ... transverse breech ... meaning sideways like a hammock. Since he had so much room they feared he would just turn again. So I was scheduled for a c-section at 39 weeks (this was due to his position also since he was hammock and nothing was blocking my cervix like a head or butt, the cord could get pushed down if I were to go into labor and that is not good!) and they would attempt an ECV if it was possible. They did and it worked he was finally head down! I will say that I didn't get the normal drugs you usually get to loosing you up because if the ECV didn't work I would still get my c-section and they didn't want to mix the drugs up. It wasn't painful at all for me. I did have an emergency c-section due to his head getting somewhat stuck so I couldn't push him out and his heart rate spiking with every contraction. Edit : I had a pretty terrible experience during that birth. I sometimes wonder if I didn't have the ECV would it have been different. bisous on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449347 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 14:08:26 +0000 bisous 2449347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Yes-as a last resort to a c section, I would try it! birdofafeather on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449337 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 14:01:50 +0000 birdofafeather 2449337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I would if I were a candidate and my baby was breech. Happygal on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449252 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:15:34 +0000 Happygal 2449252@https://boards.hellobee.com/ No--I did not and would not. The risks were too scary, even with a limited percentage of them happening. My sister is a nurse who has seen it kick early labor into action. Also, the way she had been turning all along meant that it was very likely she'd flip again after an ECV. Finally, my OB advised against it, and he's quite the middle of the road doctor. The other thing is that I wanted to listen to and trust my baby. I felt like if she was flipping all along, there was a reason for it. She was totally head down at 38 weeks and turned! It was unpopular in my hippie circle of friends not to try everything, but I told my baby I would follow her lead and let her do her breech thing. :happy: twodoghouse on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449240 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:09:20 +0000 twodoghouse 2449240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My situation is different because it was twins, but we tried to turn my son after I delivered my daughter. He was transverse my entire pregnancy. Some twins turn on their own after the first baby is out, but I had midwives and an ultrasound tech with me to do the external version. With twins, sometimes it's easier to do a breech extraction, so the original plan was to turn him breech, actually. They lost his heartbeat once the version started so he ended up being an emergency C. I knew that was a risk of attempting the double vaginal birth, but obviously didn't think I'd end up there! My version was easier, though, because I had all the drugs! I had been given an epidural but it failed. The anesthesiologist re-upped it right before the vacuum extraction of my daughter, so I was still ok when they were trying to turn my son. Mrs D on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449234 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:07:46 +0000 Mrs D 2449234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I think I would try it IF my Doctor thought I was a good candidate AND they would do it in the hospital just in case. kiddosc on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449194 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 12:48:40 +0000 kiddosc 2449194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I totally would. This baby was breech at 35 weeks, so it was on the table. My doctor said complications are super rare, mainly because they don't try exceptionally hard. If baby's not moving, they aren't going to force it. I would really like to avoid a csection. Baby was head down at 37 week appt though. So hopefully she stays that way. sapphire on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449168 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 12:36:42 +0000 sapphire 2449168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Absolutely. It has above 50% chance of success to avoid having a c-section. I've seen lots done and assisted with many and I've yet to see a complication other than not being successful. Mrs. Lion on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449145 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 12:17:17 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2449145@https://boards.hellobee.com/ With my first I would have if it had been an option to avoid my first being a c-section (it wasnt....placenta was in the way). With my second breech baby it also wasn't an option (also placenta in the way) but I wouldn't have done it. After having 2 separate babies never once flip head down (not even temlorarily) I was pretty certain that's the way my body needed them and wouldn't mess with it. Astro Bee on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449111 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 12:06:05 +0000 Astro Bee 2449111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Luckily, my baby was head down from 29-30 weeks on, but would attempt it for a future pregnancy, if I was a candidate. I really enjoyed my vaginal birth (with epidural). I felt like Super Woman, and even told DH that a few times! Haha, I had a major hormone high going on! Rockies11 on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449084 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 11:58:00 +0000 Rockies11 2449084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I did it, it didn't work, but no regrets! It was unpleasant but short. I really wanted to have a vaginal birth and I wanted to make sure I had exhausted all the options before I had a c-section. dagret on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449063 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 11:50:34 +0000 dagret 2449063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My daughter (2nd child) was (unexpectedly) Frank Breech and I would do this to avoid a c-section. But i would probably try acupuncture first. littlejoy on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449061 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 11:49:45 +0000 littlejoy 2449061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I would try it. I would also attempt a breech birth (in hospital), if I was a good candidate. Portland still has a few hospitals with docs/midwives who practice breech birth. erinbaderin on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449007 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 11:19:44 +0000 erinbaderin 2449007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @T.H.O.U.: @MrsLilybugg: This is definitely another factor, because the OB told me last week that at the moment I wouldn't be a good candidate for an ECV because I have low fluid levels. It's also less likely to be successful if you're a first time mom because everything is tighter. And I have a midwife but she said that for an ECV she would send me to an OB for exactly that reason - in case anything happened they'd be ready to go to deliver the baby. ms.line on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449006 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 11:19:10 +0000 ms.line 2449006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @MrsLilybugg: It also depends on what type of breech baby is - some turn better than others. Plus the shape of your uterus and fluid levels. Winterbee15 on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449003 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 11:18:11 +0000 Winterbee15 2449003@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I would not ms.line on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2449002 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 11:18:06 +0000 ms.line 2449002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My midwife got paranoid the baby was breech this week, and while I was waiting for my ultrasound I considered that I would totally do an ECV if I were a candidate. (Turns out baby is head down, thankfully.) There's a lot I would do to avoid a c-section. Smurfette on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2448999 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 11:17:10 +0000 Smurfette 2448999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ No. The cord was around my LO's neck. So next time I am going to be worried enough about that. T.H.O.U. on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2448995 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 11:16:04 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2448995@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @MrsLilybugg: I think they also measure Fluid Levels. There has to be enough fluid that there is space to move the baby. My friend had one done successfully, they did it right in the hospital L&D, so if something did go wrong they could rush her to the OR and get the baby out. erinbaderin on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2448992 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 11:13:36 +0000 erinbaderin 2448992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I'm currently 33w5d with a baby who is breech, and I will try it if I'm a candidate. I have a few weeks before I get to that point so I'm trying everything else first (chiropractor, acupuncture, lying upside down on an ironing board every day) but I had a c section with my first baby (didn't find out he was breech until 39 weeks, and with a fully grown baby, low fluid, and being a first time mom I wasn't a candidate) and I'd rather avoid a second one. hitchhiker on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2448981 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 11:10:00 +0000 hitchhiker 2448981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I did it and would do it again, even though it was not the most fun procedure. And it was painful, but only while it was happening, not after. I think it's important to remember that the alternative is major abdominal surgery. pwnstar on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2448961 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 11:00:08 +0000 pwnstar 2448961@https://boards.hellobee.com/ No I would not. MrsLilybugg on "Would you have an ECV if your baby were breech?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-an-ecv-if-your-baby-were-breech#post-2448933 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 10:48:46 +0000 MrsLilybugg 2448933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @hilsy85: good question re ultrasound/short cord. I wonder if that's how OBs measure whether or not someone is a "good candidate" for this, as others have posted.