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I found out LO was breech at 38.5 weeks... They offered to try a version, but I also chose not to do it. Like @gotkimchi: , LO was a frank breech and being so far along, I was just NOT comfortable with it. We scheduled a C-section for the following week at 39.5 weeks. It went so great and I couldn't have been happier with it!

My first was breech and we chose not to do a version. My doctor actually advised against it -- low success rate and too many risks involved.

I had a scheduled section for 39 weeks (my birth story is on the blog) and it was calm and peaceful, with an easy recovery.

Someone in my Bradley class had the procedure and luckily it worked. But it was a Bradley class so it was a preselected population of people who wanted to avoid c-sections.

I found out my baby was complete breech at my 40 week appointment! My midwife (thankfully) had a funny feeling and confirmed with an ultrasound. Totally not expected! Because it was too late for a version - I didn't have an option - They scheduled a C section immediately because they didn't want me going into labor.

If you choose the C Section route, you'll be fine. I mean, it wasn't what I wanted at all, but I made peace with the fact that it was the safest option for me and baby. I could see it being easier if you had more than a few hours to prepare for it too!

@night cheese: as somebody who had a successful ECV, I would choose to try a non-surgical procedure over a surgical one without a doubt.

The most uncomfortable part of my ECV was being given the ventolin and being tipped slightly backwards and my LO flipped on less than thirty seconds. The risk rate was also low at my hospital, for every 200 ECV's performed, only one results in an emergency c-section.

I opted for the section. My OB didn't want to try ECV on a first time mom and the cord ended up being wrapped around her neck twice, so I'm glad we went with the section.

I should mention: the cord is wrapped around the baby's neck in 1/3 of ALL births. It's normal and very rarely causes a problem. So even if the cord IS wrapped around the baby's neck, that probably wouldn't be an issue with the ECV. So don't let that scare you, it's not a big worry.

They monitor the baby very carefully during the procedure and at the first sign on any distress, they can just go do a c-section. It's usually quite safe.

I know you didn't ask this, but have you tried going to a chiropractor trained in the Webster technique? My chiros have used it successfully to turn breech babes. Just another non surgical option!

I would suggest looking into the webster technique!

My breech baby flipped on his own. My sister had a c-section after an unsuccessful ecv. I would probably try ecv and some other natural techniques before scheduling a c-section.

I'm sure you probably have but have you tried any of the techniques from http://www.spinningbabies.com? I've heard some success stories from there! While I didnt have an ECV, I had a horrible c-section and very hard recovery. Personally, I'd do anything I could to avoid a c but my experience was certainly not normal, so take it with a grain of salt

I chose not to do the ECV because I felt that my OB wasn't super comfortable doing it and said that only one OB in his office successfully turned a baby a couple of times in the two years she was there. And the chances the baby would turn would be less than 45% for me. I waited and he didn't turn so I did go in for a c-section, but it wasn't all that bad. I was a little sad I wasn't able to have a vaginal birth. And I think he was in that position for so long b/c his legs came out really awkwardly positioned. I think swaddling helped his legs get back to normal. I thought maybe I would with my second but opted for another c-section. Five years and two boys later, I haven't regretted my decision, especially hearing about all the stories about going through labor only to have a section. Have you looked into acupuncture? I've heard a lot of success stories with that. Good luck with whatever you decide!

I had an ECV and it was totally not that big if a deal so I would definitely try that first. It's uncomfortable but not very painful. My belly felt bruised for a few days after(no visible bruising). Alas the version did not work for us. I also did everything on spinning babies.com including acupuncture and chiropractic but LO would not budge. After my c-section the OB said he could not see any reason for LO being breech. No short cord or funny shaped uterus or anything.

I planned on doing and ECV but my water broke at 38 weeks. Which was the day before it was scheduled. I had spent the previous two weeks doing things from the spinning babies website as well as at a chiropractor that specialized in Webster. Also at the accupuncturist. Obviously those things didn't help me but I am still glad I tried. I was "planning" on a med free Bradley birth at a birth center w/ midwives so a csection through me for a loop. I did not want it to be scheduled and was hoping to convince my drs to let me go into labor first. This probably would have been a fight. So I'm thankful that my water broke as I took it as a sign he was ready to be born. Nothing against those who schedule - but it was really helpful for me to come to terms with everything that was happening.

My daughter was breech my whole third trimester and I did an ECV at 38 weeks. It has a 50% success rate so why not try? It did not hurt in the slightest. I tried to keep really relaxed the whole time and just did some deep breathing and it was not even uncomfortable. I would absolutely do it again to avoid surgery. I guess it depends on your baby's position but don't let the fear of the procedure scare into opting for surgery. It is done under ultrasound guidance so there is very little risk. If anything goes wrong it is just a matter of monitoring. or at worst, a section a week earlier.

Unfortunately it didn't work for us, my LO had her hands tangled in the cord, but I am so glad I tried and would absolutely try again. Especially now because I am pregnant again and VBAC's or repeat c-sections carry additional risk.

The way my OB framed the decision was why not try and I totally agree.

@night cheese: even my uber-crunchy midwife was pretty skeptical about acupuncture and moxibution to turn babies, her theory was that those babies who turned with the treatment probably would've turned anyways.

Another question for you OP, do you ever feel your LO try to flip round? My LO was often closer to transverse than breech which is possibly why my ECV was successful.

@shortcake: this was very much how I viewed it, I felt like I had nothing to lose by giving it a shot.

@night cheese: I'm also very skeptical about moxa but I would try a chiro. I've seen some pretty good evidence that it might actually work. I just read a study that gave it a 69% success rate, I think?

@night cheese: i found an article on evidence based birth about ECVs and breech babies. hope it helps you make a decision either way!

http://evidencebasedbirth.com/what-is-the-evidence-for-using-an-external-cephalic-version-to-turn-a-breech-baby/