External Cephalic Version ECV story

I posted this on the third trimester group, but I thought I would post it here too. :) I haven’t seen too many detailed stories about ECV procedures, so I thought I’d share mine. I’m not a medical expert, so this story is from my non-medical point of view.

I am exactly 37 weeks along and this is my 2nd baby. My boy, Matthias, has been breech since his growth scan at 32 weeks. My fluid measures normal, but he has consistently been measuring bigger (85th percentile, yesterday he was estimated 7lb 6oz). I had a pretty easy vaginal delivery with an epidural with my daughter, and I would like the same experience this time.

During the ECV, Matthias turned easily and he did very well. He was monitored the entire time and had no problems! The actual turning part from the doctor was super quick (maybe 5 minutes). I cried when it was over because I was so happy he turned head down. But then the anxiety of the idea of him flipping back hit me. My doctor said to go about my normal life like nothing ever happened, but I know I’m going to be thinking about it every day. Only a few more weeks to go! We can make it!

The procedure prep was not fun at all. Of course they had trouble getting an IV in me. I was stuck in 3 different places before the charge nurse came in and got it in my hand. Sometimes I have anxiety about needles and it was bothering me today! I really wanted water, but I wasn’t allowed to. I was given fluids in the IV very quickly (brrrrr..it was cold too!) and the anesthesiologist came in to give me the epidural. (Side story: my mom had been in the same hospital after having emergency gallbladder surgery and her ovary removed and had just been discharged yesterday after being in the hospital 8 days. Today was the 9th day in a row I had been up to the hospital. My anesthesiologist was also my mom’s anesthesiologist during her surgery! Small world and small hospital. At least we had something to talk about!)

Anyways, I think she had a hard time getting epidural in the right space, which was made worse by my needle anxiety. She took what seemed like forever and I kept feeling pain and pressure in my spine. It felt like she was poking my spine over and over! I had the most awesome nurse and was holding her arm the whole time. I just kept saying outloud “it’ll be ok. It is almost over.” I have to talk to myself to get over my anxiety. I was given medicine through the epidural 4 times. It took effect pretty quick. I was also given a shot in my arm. I kept saying I am feeling dizzy and nauseous, but everybody chalked it up to my anxiety. My doctor came in and started poking my stomach and I didn’t even realize she had started the procedure, I thought she was just feeling for something. I was laying back and couldn’t see. I remember telling her, “geez, your right hand is really poking into me!” Then after a few minutes she said, “he’s down!” and showed us on the ultrasound! That part was so easy.

After the procedure, everybody left to let me rest. I started feeling woozy and lightheaded. I paged the nurses and they were in there in like 2 seconds. I was having tunnel vision and started feeling fuzzy. I almost passed out. They laid me back in bed and said I needed blood going to my head. They left me, but I was still feeling bad. I told my husband to come over and rub my arm and tell me it’ll be ok. I thought I was just tensing up and couldn’t relax because of all the stress. I was doing everything to avoid throwing up because I was laying back in bed and still couldn’t move because I was so numb. It was the scariest part of the entire thing.

The doctor came in maybe 20 minutes later to check on me and my blood pressure was very low. I told her I was still feeling really dizzy and nauseous. She ordered some kind of medicine for my blood pressure and also Zofran through my IV. Apparently it is common for your blood pressure to drop after getting an epidural, but it usually happens within 15-20 minutes. My reaction to the epidural was delayed. I was told to inform them of my reaction when I came back for labor.

It took a long time for my epidural to wear off. We thought I was ready to get up to go to the bathroom, but when I stood up I pee’d on the floor. It was then I realized my pelvis was still entirely numb. I had no control over my bladder! Whoops! I just chilled for a while, watched Catfish and half of Ellen. The nurse said just let her know when I’m ready to leave. I felt 100% better after a little while and walked out of the hospital like a champ. Overall, I was at the hospital for 5 hours.

Procedure pro: I feel lucky and blessed that he turned and he had no complications! Having a chance of a vaginal delivery is totally worth it. I’m trying to avoid a C-Section at all costs. I’m having faith that he stays head down. Another plus is that I got all my paperwork done for when I do go into labor!

Procedure cons: The prep was a hassle. It was scary when blood pressure dropped and I almost passed out. I’m having a lot of back pain from the epidural, especially when I drop my chin, get up off the couch, or lift my 22lb toddler. Also, there was a chance the procedure wouldn’t work or there could be an emergency C-Section. The unknowns prior were scary.