Breech Babies and ECV (External Cephalic Version)

While a breech presentation at full term (37 weeks) is relatively rare, at approximately 3%-4%, it still represents a large number of pregnancies.  

When I was informed at my 36 week check that my baby was likely in the breech position I had it confirmed the following day at the hospital and it was recommended I try an External Cephalic Version, or ECV, to try and turn the baby manually.  I hope that by sharing my experience of the procedure I can help others who are in the same boat as me and are trying to decide whether to try the ECV.

An ECV is not an invasive procedure; it involves a senior doctor or consultant using external manipulation of your belly in an attempt to try and turn the baby into a cephalic (head down) position.  The hope is that you will then be able to deliver in a natural, uncomplicated way avoiding possibility of requiring a C-Section.  The success rate of the procedure is around 50% but varies depending on various factors, such as the size and position of the baby, amount of fluid and whether the mother has had a baby before.  There is also a 5% chance that your baby could flip back to breech after being turned.  If you ask whether it will hurt you will generally be told that it should be “uncomfortable but not painful”.  

After reading about the risks (there is a 0.5% chance that the baby will become distressed requiring an emergency C-Section) and success rates I decided to go ahead as I really wanted to have a natural birth if at all possible, and I felt that if I did not try I would regret it.  I was given a more detailed scan which showed that there were good levels of fluid around my baby then I was booked in for my ECV on the following Monday at just under 37 weeks.

I had to fast for six hours before the procedure, and upon arrival was put onto a monitor to trace the baby’s heartbeat for an hour and ensure there were no problems with her.  I was also scanned again to make sure she was still breech (she was).  A uterus relaxing medication was injected which was painless and I didn’t feel any reaction to it, then half an hour later the procedure began.  

I won’t lie and say it didn’t hurt me, because it did, but I knew they were monitoring my baby throughout and was reassured that it wasn’t hurting her, which was the main thing.  The doctor managed to move my baby a small amount before she pushed her bottom down and head up into my ribs and refused to budge further.  As soon as the doctor stopped, the discomfort quickly subsided.  I asked if they could try again but unfortunately the same thing happened.  They tried a third time for me, however my little one was still being stubborn and reluctantly we had to admit defeat.  

Although it didn’t work for me, personally  I am definitely pleased to have tried it and any pain only lasts while the procedure is being done, which takes a few minutes or until you ask them to stop if it hurts too much.  I felt bruised the following day but my baby was moving well and seemed genuinely unphased.  If I have another breech baby I will certainly repeat the procedure as I felt it was worth trying.  I’d say that it’s down to personal choice, and you always do have a choice, but hopefully reading my experience has helped if you’re facing the same situation.

photo credit: pregnant woman in field via shutterstock