EVC or not?

Question

37 + 3 wks, baby is breech - I have the option for an EVC at the hospital next week. I have discussed the risks/benefits with the Doctor. Or I could just schedule a c-section for 39wks. I am very torn between the two. Has anyone had an EVC? If so, what was your experience and would you recommend this to someone else? Is anyone else in my position? If so, how is your decision making going?

Answer

Is this your first baby? I'm on my third pregnancy and baby is breech. First two babes were normal, unmedicated vaginal births - so this one is a trip! Haha 
My doc has offered me a version but I'm personally not for it. It is about 60% successful if done between 36-37 weeks - but if you don't go into labor there is always a slight chance baby can turn back (higher chance if you have had multiple babies and your uterus is already more stretched out.)

My biggest issue with the ECV is the risk of having issues with babe leading to an emergency csection. If I am going to have a csection I want to be awake (which they normally put you under general anesthesia for an emergency) and have a family centered csection. However, this is my last baby so I'm not concerned with the risk of a repeat csection or VBAC.

I know baby girl has plenty of room in me to still flip (she has been breech since 30ish weeks). I have been doing the exercises on spinning babies to encourage it. For me tho - I have a confidence that she has an intuition for her wellbeing as much as I do for mine - if she isn't flipping despite there being space then I know there is a reason why.

Answer

Look on the website spinningbabies.com! There are some good exercises and tips.  Also, do your research because breech babies can definitely be born vaginally! Doctors are quick to do a csection with breech babies because the babies are at a higher risk of distress if birthed vaginally while breeched. 
 However, my doctor is 100% committed to a vaginal birth and says that, even if my baby is breech, the only way they'll do a csection is if the baby (or I) go into distress.

Answer

My OB refused to offer a version because she claimed my cord issues (velamentous cord insertion) were too risky.

However, if she had offered it and I had not been able to get baby to flip to vertex on my own (through SpinningBabies exercises) ... I would have jumped at the chance for a version. Anything to avoid a C Section! (Just my own personal preference.)

As it is, I got lucky and the SpinningBabies stuff helped me flip my big baby (7.5 pounds at 36 week ultrasound) to vertex by 37 weeks. Have been working with a chiropractor and doing figure eights on a birthing ball religiously since then, to keep pelvis open and baby vertex. So far, it's working.

Best of luck to you as you make your decision!

Answer

I'm in the same situation. Due March 7th with a Frank Breech boy. My amniotic fluid is low and my Dr thinks ecv could be a little too stressful on the baby, but still offered to try it. I'm thinking I will be scheduling my c section at my next appointment. In the meantime trying anything to get him to turn, I do not want the c section 😢

EVC or not?

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