Tell me about your external version (ECV)

[y4m]

I'm already doing spinning babies and a webster chiropractor, but nothing is working and I'm 36w now.  I know, I know, still time to turn.  But she literally has been in this same spot for months - I really don't think that's going to happen.  So the next step I assume will be an offer of a version.  Or we go straight to scheduling a c-section.

Can you tell me about your experience having a version please?  Was it successful (in the moment and long term?), was it painful?  Did you end up with a vaginal birth because of it?  Would you do it again?  Other advice?

[ribollita]

I did one with an epidural in an OR suite and it was not painful. It did not work but I have a short torso and had low fluid. I would definitely try again even though I also had a positive subsequent c section experience.

[littlemisssunshine]

We found out DD was breech at 37.5 weeks. I immediately started chiro visits and exercises with a ECV scheduled at 38.5 weeks in case she didn't turn on her own. She didn't turn, so I went thru with the ECV. They did not offer an epidural. It was honestly extremely painful and I wouldn't choose to do it again. They tried several times and she could turn half way and then pop back up. Each time with brief, but it was a ton of pressure and pain. Its like turning on a gas stove dial; push down and turn. But imagine a grown man doing that with all his strength on your stomache. I was a good candidate as the baby was small,I have a long torso and plenty of fluid. I've heard the success rate is very dependant on the skill of the individual dr, not necessarily the procedure. I ended up being scheduled for a c section the next day as DD was measuring in the 1% growth range. I had a very positive c section experience and will definitely chose to have c sections in the future.

Maybe if she had turned I would have a different opinion, but the amount of pain and money (insurance didn't cover it) made it not worth it.

[grosnl19]

I was told I was not a good candidate for the ECV. 1 week before my scheduled c-section my water did break and DD turned transverse. They gave me the option to try for a vaginal delivery thinking she might turn completely, but I chose to do a c-section. I have a family history of breech births and I didn't want to labor for hours then have a c-section anyway. I did also try spinning babies and a Moxa (chinese method) treatment that my doula performed.

[pinkpeony08]

I don't have personal experiences personl expeeience, but I have two close friends who had successful versions. There is actually good evidence for moxa/-acupuncture for version as well, if you're interested in looking into it. Both friends said the version was uncomfortable but not terrible. Both also echoed providers telling her it is very provider specific for success rates- one friends'S normal ob out of town and was scheduled with the most successful person in the office. Based on their recommendations, I would consider asking for your ob if there is one person in their office who is particularly successful. Sending turning baby wishes!!

[kdubs923]

I have a version for DS. He had flipped back and forth throughout pregnancy. He was discovered feet down at 37.5 weeks, so we went with a version. My doctor felt I was a good candidate. Because he had flipped in the last week, she felt that his size/my fluid levels would allow him to turn again.

It was scheduled for the following Monday, at 38w (the earliest allowed at the hospital). I was offered an epi, but I would have had to be admitted, or I could skip the epi and stay outpatient. I chose to skip the epi. It was uncomfortable, but manageable. I was actually more uncomfortable the next few days. Very sore, but not bad. It was my OB and another on call OB. I was monitored for about 30 minutes prior, monitored throughout, and held at the hospital for another hour afterwards to make sure DS and I were ok.

It was not successful, so I ended up with a scheduled c-section. We had packed our bags in case the ECV put me into labor or if things went badly and I needed an emergency c-section. If the version is successful, some doctors even move right into inducing, but my OB wouldn't induce until 39 weeks anyways.

I'm glad I tried it and am a bit disappointed I never experienced labor, but my c-section and recovery went really smoothly so I can't complain. DD was discovered to be breech at 40w2d. Due to the prior c-section, I was not eligible for an ECV that time, so I had another scheduled c-section.

If you have more specific questions, let me know!

[ribollita]

Dec 16, 2016 18:25:56 GMT -5 littlemisssunshine said:

They tried several times and she could turn half way and then pop back up. Each time with brief, but it was a ton of pressure and pain. Its like turning on a gas stove dial; push down and turn. But imagine a grown man doing that with all his strength on your stomache.

Perfect description. I was amazed at how much pressure they put on me. At times I had the 6'5"MD and his resident pushing so hard their feet were off the floor.

[thedood]

I had a successful version at 37 weeks with my second pregnancy. It was painful, but short. It took the doctor two tries, and the pain level reminded me of basically two of my pitocin contractions with my first. So it was painful but since it was short lived it was doable. I would do it again. DH and I agree it was one of the oddest things we've ever seen lol.

[nicolewi]

I had an unsuccessful one at 38 weeks with my 3rd baby. I don't know if my OB was more gentle than most, but mine really wasn't painful. Just uncomfortable. Maybe my OB could tell right away that the baby just wasn't going to move. She (baby) would only go so far and then would move right back. My heart rate and hers were monitored and hers barely even changed the whole time. I was never offered an epidural but wouldn't have needed it. I was glad I tried the version and it made me feel at peace with the c-section. I had a good experience overall with my c-section, as well.

[EllieT]

I don't have any personal experience (other than being successfully flipped myself 36 years ago but I obviously don't remember that) but I used to work in L&D were all our versions were done. If I recall right I think they used to get a terbutaline shot to relax the uterus but that was it. No epidural and it didn't seem necessary as it didn't seem very painful, uncomfortable yes but not painful.

However my main takeaway from it was that ECV's are very provider dependent. Whenever we had a version the nurses would take one look at the on call schedule (you don't have your own OB here, it's all done by on call hopital doctors) and be like 'Oh no! it's dr X - I guess we can go ahead and prepare to schedule the c-section ' or 'Great! It's dr Y'. Dr X pretty much never or very rarely had a successful version whil dr Y had a success rate much higher than average. These two were the extreme outliers on both sides but it was fairly obvious with all OB's that they were more or less skilled/successful. So with that in mindif your OB is reluctant to offer you a version or you have to beg for it I might just skip it since I would think they are probably not that used to doing them. Then on the other hand it might not hurt to try.

[pooh8402]

Dec 17, 2016 4:49:41 GMT -5 EllieT said:

I don't have any personal experience (other than being successfully flipped myself 36 years ago but I obviously don't remember that) but I used to work in L&D were all our versions were done. If I recall right I think they used to get a terbutaline shit to relax the uterus but that was it. No epidural and it didn't seem necessary as it didn't seem very painful, uncomfortable yes but not painful.

However my main takeaway from it was that ECV's are very provider dependent. Whenever we had a version the nurses would take one look at the on call schedule (you don't have your own OB here, it's all done by on call hopital doctors) and be like 'Oh no! it's dr X - I guess we can go ahead and prepare to schedule the c-section ' or 'Great! It's dr Y'. Dr X pretty much never or very rarely had a successful version whil dr Y had a success rate much higher than average. These two were the extreme outliers on both sides but it was fairly obvious with all OB's that they were more or less skilled/successful. So with that in mindif your OB is reluctant to offer you a version or you have to beg for it I might just skip it since I would think they are probably not that used to doing them. Then on the other hand it might not hurt to try.

This is my experience. And honestly, I can't think of an OB local to me that is more successful than not... in 4 years, I've seen one successful version. And watching them, just from a provider perspective, I never want to get one. They look awful to go through.

[y4m]

Thanks everyone. So one success in this thread (and no FTM successes). You've given me a lot to think about.

I do think my provider group is about as good at doing them as anyone (my hospital has a very low c-section rate for its type, which is a big part of the reason we chose it).

[EllieT]

Dec 17, 2016 8:52:00 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

Dec 17, 2016 4:49:41 GMT -5 EllieT said:

I don't have any personal experience (other than being successfully flipped myself 36 years ago but I obviously don't remember that) but I used to work in L&D were all our versions were done. If I recall right I think they used to get a terbutaline shit to relax the uterus but that was it. No epidural and it didn't seem necessary as it didn't seem very painful, uncomfortable yes but not painful.

However my main takeaway from it was that ECV's are very provider dependent. Whenever we had a version the nurses would take one look at the on call schedule (you don't have your own OB here, it's all done by on call hopital doctors) and be like 'Oh no! it's dr X - I guess we can go ahead and prepare to schedule the c-section ' or 'Great! It's dr Y'. Dr X pretty much never or very rarely had a successful version whil dr Y had a success rate much higher than average. These two were the extreme outliers on both sides but it was fairly obvious with all OB's that they were more or less skilled/successful. So with that in mindif your OB is reluctant to offer you a version or you have to beg for it I might just skip it since I would think they are probably not that used to doing them. Then on the other hand it might not hurt to try.

This is my experience. And honestly, I can't think of an OB local to me that is more successful than not... in 4 years, I've seen one successful version. And watching them, just from a provider perspective, I never want to get one. They look awful to go through.

Only one? I'm surprised. I would say in general they had a success rate of maybe 50%..? (i can't remember really but it seemed to be about half or so that were successful) with drs X and Y being the big outliers on each side

I would definitely try it if I was in that situation.

[pooh8402]

Dec 17, 2016 14:28:50 GMT -5 EllieT said:

Dec 17, 2016 8:52:00 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

This is my experience. And honestly, I can't think of an OB local to me that is more successful than not... in 4 years, I've seen one successful version. And watching them, just from a provider perspective, I never want to get one. They look awful to go through.

Only one? I'm surprised. I would say in general they had a success rate of maybe 50%..? (i can't remember really but it seemed to be about half or so that were successful) with drs X and Y being the big outliers on each side

I would definitely try it if I was in that situation.

Yea, they're not real common in my area. None of the OBs have much experience because not many are done. Most of the women around here with breech or transverse babies just head straight for a c-section.

[Brie]

I don't think catbus is around anymore but she had a successful one I think.

I have had a vaginal delivery and a c-section and vastly preferred the c-section recovery.

[elynne2012]

I had a successful one at 37 weeks with my second son. He was breech the entire time. It was done at the hospital and I personally thought it hurt like hell. It was successful and he was born 40w4day@ 8lbs14oz. I do have a long torso but I wasn't told that made a difference. My doc gave it a 50/50 shot.

Good luck!

[Cicero]

I was scheduled for a version on a Monday at 38 weeks. At my weekly appointment the Wednesday just prior he was still breech so they had me come in on Friday afternoon to check again and make sure I needed to come for the ECV. By that appointment he had flipped so it ended up not being necessary. He flipped at the end of 37 weeks and I couldn't tell you when it happened because I didn't feel it.

Fingers crossed for you.