External Cephalic Version

I just started my 38th week and I'm always worried about my baby not being head down. I asked my doctor what causes the baby to usually go head down and she said it's because a baby's head is the heaviest part of the body--gravity pulls it down.
She said that standing is the best way to prompt a baby's head down.
Good luck

no experience with ECV but i do have experience with c-sections. i had my first in 1995 because my large son was breech and had a second 9 years later in 2004. i had no complications with either of them but did notice vast improvements with the 2nd. recovery time was much faster. either way i think you will be ok. a healthy baby is all we can ask for. good luck and congrats

I would suggest reading about Spinning babies at http://www.spinningbabies.com/. And maybe do some other searches on the subjetc. Doulas and Midwives promote this because it usualyy works. Hope that helps.
Melissa

Hi J.,
What an exciting time for you. Well, my now 9 mo. old daughter was breech and at abt 38 wks my doc tried the ECV. She turned for him but then unfortunately turned right back and then her heart rate dropped and we almost had an emergency c-section. Once we all caught our breath we just opted to do the surgery there and then since everyone was ready to go and with the scare and all. Looking back I wish I would have done a little more prior to the ECV i.e. there are stretches you can do and apparently some chiropractic movements can maybe move her. I would look into that more also she could still flip on her own. That being said, the c-section wasn't that bad and we are all healthy which is the most important. Good luck

Hi! My 7 y/0 was breech and we lived in rural Louisiana at the time. My OB couldn't do a version because my placenta was anterior (in the front), but I found an accupuncturist an hour and 15 minutes away. He'd never treated breech, but treated me pro bono for 6 consecutive days. Baby didn't turn so I didn't have to pay. He did introduce me to moxibustion which got him moving, and he did change positions. He was just too big by 37 weeks, in my case. But moxa worked for my second. I did start earlier though. Best of luck. I know I didn't want to have a C either, but my little guy was perfect!

RUN to Dr. Berlin before you have the ECV done. He's a pre & post natal chiropractor and he has something like a 90% success rate in turning babies!! I would exhaust all other measures before doing the ECV. There is also an acupuncturist in his office that specializes in turning babies. They work together. They turned my friend's baby at about 36/37 weeks. www,berlinwellnessgroup.com A really nice guy too! Good luck!
M.

They were going to do that with me b/c my son was breach. The dr and I decided against b/c of my high blood pressure. I know it can be uncomfortable/painful and there isn't a guarantee that it will stick. I ended up having a c-section and it wasn't that bad. Do your research first! Oh and ONLY do it through a perinatologist. There can be risks.

I had an ECV procedure successfully performed at 37 weeks. My baby remained head-down and I was able to have a vaginal delivery. I will be honest that it is not the most comfortable procedure and I was sore from it the next day, however, it seemed very safe to me. Just focus on relaxing during the procedure and you'll be fine!

To encourage our baby to turn, we tried what our lamaze class book suggested and it worked. Lie on your back with your knees bent and with pillows under your rear end to elevate your rear 9-12 inches. Do this twice a day, ten minutes each time, with an empty stomach and bladder. Our baby had been sideways the whole pregnancy and she was head down after two sessions of this. Good luck!

http://www.breechbabies.com/
You can actually birth a breech baby vaginally. The study that caused the US to automatically do a c-section on breech babies was flawed in numerous ways. You need to read up and perhaps find an OB who will deliver a breech baby vaginally.
Also check out this amazing story: http://www.unassistedchildbirth.com/shanleys/willie.html
(Though I'm not suggesting you do it on your own!)
Best of luck!

Hi J.,

I have heard,that being in the pool and doing handstands can cause the baby to turn..WITH THAT SAID...I don't know if that actually works...Maybe someone else has heard,and can confirm or dispel....Good luck!!

Hi, J.,

My children were not breech, but I had c-sections any ways. While I would have preferred to not had a c-section each time, even with complications (specific to my case), I survived and so have millions of other women who have normal, happy lives following their c-sections.

Some women I've known have had ECV done. If I recall correctly, in some cases it turned the baby, and in others it did not.

Good luck.

Lynne E

I would recommend going to spinningbabies.com, a great site that gives many suggestions on how to turn a breech baby. Seeking out a chiropractor that does the Webster technique can help turn a stubborn breech kiddo. C-sections are not a walk in the park and can cause long term fertility issues and many other complications the doctors are not so eager to give out. Surgery is much easier for them. An hour in the operating room versus waiting around for nature to take it's course when they just want to get home for dinner or to their golf game. I would also suggest going to the ICAN website and reading what they have to say. Many c-sections are done each year that are not necessary. I hope your little one decides to cooperate and flip around. Wishing for you a safe delivery (c-section or natural) and a quick recovery.

J.
PS - I had 2 c/s and then a VBAC - Vaginal birth after C/s. So gratifying and empowering. You can email me if you have any questions. ____@____.com

Hi J.,
My name is C., I am 34 years Young =) I have four beautiful children. My third child was breach and the thought of having a C-sec. terrified me, after having two awesome deliveries (under four hours) I couldn't stand the thought. However, when my doctor told me about the EVC. I knew in my heart that I needed to give it a try. I Will Not lye to you. It Hurts, alot. I was admitted to the hospitol into the triage unit where my doctor met my husband and I. The reason you need to do this at the hospitol is because you run the risk of stress and you may go into labor. In that case you would have an emergency c-sec. This is what happens: My doctor placed his hands over my belly and turned the baby. We tried about four times but my stubborn little baby did not want to to turn, He litterally sat in my pelvic area indian style with one hand in his mouth. I really find this humerous now because it is in his personality....strong willed. Anyway, our attempts failed and I delivered him c-sec one week later. I was not induced and went naturally. You see my God had a different plan for me. I recovered very well and I thank God that it was a c. My son was bigger than the other two. But you may want to know the I had another baby boy two and one half years later....vaginally. Yes a VBAC. And that was an awesome experience. Really trust in God, because ultimately He alone knows what is best for you and your baby. I hope this helps you! May the Lord bless you and your precious baby girl!

My eldest daughter turned into the breech position at 6 months (I still remember the moment/pain it happened!). She was literally hugging me and my ob said she was there for a reason -- don't bother turning her. I was also told by someone who went through the ECV that the baby "flipped" about two more times before he settled down to the vaginal positioning.
The emergency c-section consequence of the ECV convinced me to leave her in breech position. I had a scheduled c-section with no complications. Good luck, Mom!!!

My daughter was breech as well. We went in for the ECV and everything turned out OK. The doc said that they would try 3 times and if they couldn't get her to turn, they would just stop there. It was not the most comfortable thing I have ever encountered. A lot of heavy pressure as the pushed, but it wasn't as bad as I though it would be. My little girl turned around the first try and was born naturally and on time. My husband came to hold my hand. That was a big help. It's always nice to have someone there with you. I'd suggest you have someone there for you just to give support.

There is a good chance that ECV will be successful. I had it done with one of my twins while I was in labor, and it worked. There are also exercises/techniques you can try at home to encourage the baby to turn - check out spinningbabies.com.

Good luck!

Hey J.:
You may want to try accupunture. I'm not very new age, but my son was in breech and like you, I didn't want to do the C section thing. My co-workers husband happen to do accupunture and she told me he had done this with many pregnant women. I thought it was worth a try. I can't say for sure that was it, but 2 days before my scheduled C section - Sam turned and I was able to deliver naturally. The doctor was amazed that he turned so late. I'd give it a try.
Good luck! P.

Dear J.,
My heart goes out to you- I couldn't believe it when my doctor told me at 32 weeks that our son had been breech for several appointments. I tried numerous things - handstands and swimming every day in the pool, homeopathics, acupuncture and even ice/warm packs on my belly to get him to move away from the cold. He didn't move, so then I was faced with the decision of an ECV. I guess I kind of chickened out, because of the potential of an emergency c-section and I just didn't want the chance of him being born before he was ready. All that being said- if anything was going to work, it seemed that the moxibustion (acupuncture) would, as every time we did it, I would feel him scrambling to move in there. I would definitely try it. In the end, I had a c-section and it went fine, though I was rather surprised when they lay him next to me and his feet were still up by his head! LOL. I wish you the best of luck with your ECV and will send some good thoughts your way.
S.

Hi, J.. I am G. and I have 2 daughters. My eldest, who is now almost 4 years old was breech and the doctors performed the E-version on me. The doctors would really do whatever they can to avoid having a C-section done on you. What happened to me, though, was my child was lying horizontally on my uterus. My main OB-GYN tried to do the E-version on me at first, and the baby didn't move, so she had to call on another doctor to hold the baby's feet while she was trying to make the head move. My baby still didn't budge. So, a third doctor was called to help out. It was painful, but again, it would depend on the position of your baby. If your baby's being breech is just that her feet are the ones by the opening, it might be a little easier to do the E-version. I ended up having a C-section because it would be very dangerous for me to still try a normal delivery because the tendency would be the baby's butt coming out first. Anyway, I wish you luck with your delivery. I will be praying for you!

Yes, I had it done by dr. deborah grubb in pasadena, but I don't think she's there anymore. I think if you've already had one child, you may have an easy time of it, as I was very tight there with my first pregnancy. She could not get him to turn at first, and after I meditated for a few minutes to try and relax, bloop! there he went. I think Dr. Crane in Beverly Hills will consider a vaginal breech delivery if I am not mistaken. (I think hes' in UCLA med. cener?) I remember people recommended standing upside down in a pool, but that didnt work and anyway, how would one check the baby's heartrate at a pool? (You need to check the cord didn't go where it oughtn't. Anyway, best of luck. My bet is he's going to turn just fine. btw - it may help induce labor, and you want to do nipple stimulation to lock him down into the pelvic region once he turns. ask your doctor. best of luck.

Hi J.,

I don't know where you are located, but in the acupuncture field we have tried and true methods for assisting with spontaneous versions of breech babies. It works best if treatment starts by 30 weeks, but if you're relatively healthy, it has been known to work even in later stages. THe ECV may work for you, but if it doesn't, call around locally for acupuncturists who have experience working with this issue.

Best wishes,

S. I., L.Ac.
Lotus Wellspring Healthcare
456 E. Mission Road, Suite 100
San Marcos, CA 92069
###-###-####
____@____.com
www.lotuswellspring.com

I was really reluctant (and disappointed) when my doctor told me that I'd be having a c-section for my little breech baby. She advised me to skip the ECV because I had very little amniotic fluid and she said it would be highly uncomfortable with lower than average results for me. So I took a deep breath, and resigned myself to the scheduled c-section, knowing that at least I'd end up with a healthy baby. Honestly, the c-section went perfectly. The procedure itself was so quick and I got to stare happily at my baby while the doctors stitched me back up. I recovered VERY quickly and appreciated the extended hospital stay (though I made my husband go out on "real" food runs for me). It was just about the best experience ever, and my son is fabulously healthy (though he still locks his little feet together. I call him my little breechling sometimes). You can try doing the various pelvic exercises--they can't hurt and might help--and I wish you luck with the ECV, but if all else fails, I wanted to share my own surprise at how well the c-section route went. Best wishes for you and your family. :)

J.,
Find a chiropractor that uses the Webster technique, it is 85% effective at turning Breech Babies. I use this technique with all my Pregnant patients and have great results. I am located in El Segundo, CA, if that is close to you, i would be glad to help out.
Dr. A. Grob
###-###-####

I was in a very familiar position about 10 and a half months ago. I found out my baby girl was in a frank breech position and an ECV was recommended. I was very nervous about the procedure itself as I had heard it could be very painful, and like yourself, I was not looking forward to having a C-section if the ECV did not work. Well, the ECV was not successful and my little girl remained breech. However, I found the ECV to be only mildly uncomfortable, and was glad that I had given it a try. I had read about an acupuncture procedure using moxibustin(?), but I had not tried it, and with your ECV next week, you may not have the time to try it either.
In regards to the C-section, although I would have preferred to have given birth naturally, the overall experience was a positive one. Since I had no complications, I knew exactly when my little girl would be born and could make final preparations accordingly. In fact, my husband and I had a little fun when people would ask us when the baby was due, and we'd respond, "Thursday at 8 am." Also, a benefit I hadn't given much thought to was that our daughter's head was perfectly round as she did not have to squeeze through the birth canal. Doesn't make a difference in the end, but she looks great in her first photos! In my experience, the surgery was easy, but the recovery was a little more difficult than I was expecting. Prior to having the C-section, I'd run into these new moms with their very young babies zipping around town. I thought that would be me. Not exactly, but not to worry. It wasn't that bad. It was just that the recovery wasn't as easy or as pain free as I thought it would be, but perhaps if I had been more realistic, it would have been exactly as I thought.
I hope your ECV is successful, and then you won't even need to worry about the C-section. If however the ECV doesn't work, don't worry - everything will be fine. I'm thankful that we live in a time that the option of having a C-section is available and I didn't have to put my baby under any undue stress. I have a beautiful little girl who is extremely flexible! (Remember - she was a frank breech.)
Good luck and best wishes!

Hi J.,

My son was breech and I really wanted to have a VBAC, so my Dr. recommended accupuncture and a special treatment called moxa. This sounds strange but it worked! Our son turned around. I ended up having a c-section anyway because my blood pressure got very high when I went into labor, but I recommend at least checking into accupuncture and moxa treatment.

Good luck!

L.
Mom of 8 year old girl, 6 year old boy and just found out I'm pregnant again!

I chose not to turn my daughter for several reasons but the one that stands out the most is a friend of ours did an ecv and their son is now paralyzed because of it. She had to have an emergency c-section right then and has regrets her decision every day. She wants to turn back the clock.

The other 5 women that I know that had it done all said that it was very painful and only one had a successful ECV and natural birth. It wasn't worth the risk for me. There are other natural ways to try to turn your baby. Google it and do those techniques first.

Good Luck,
D.

yep - did it. couldn't move her! and it hurt! so i asked for a c-section right then and there. denied. of course the next morning i went into labor. so lucky me - got to go through labor AND c-section. NOTE: when they did the c-section they found out the reason she wouldn't turn! oh you have a bi-coronate uterus. that is my uterus is divided in half. so she only developed in the space big enough for 1/2! not wonder she didn't have any room. had numerous ultrasounds due to advanced maternal age. never showed up. hhmmmm. make sure they check that out first! fyi - c-section was a piece of cake, no problems (both times for second child) and the main thing is just getting that baby in your arms. who cares how you get it? love and luck.

Hello, J.,

Contact Golden Bridge Yoga near Hollywood and Vine. Talk to one of their birth specialists. Yoga can help you turn your baby.

My very best,

T.

My second child was breech until about 37/38 weeks (we weren't sure exactly when he was due because of my cycle). I was planning a homebirth with a midwife - I was TERRIFIED at the thought of having to have a c-section. My midwife told me to lay on an incline with my head downward. I took my ironing board and put one end of it on the couch and the other end on the floor, then I would lay on it for as long as I could take it - usually no more than 20-30 minutes (it was extremely uncomfortable and so hard to breathe!). I did this a couple of times a day, more if I could manage it (I also had a 15 month old to take care of). The idea is to let gravity move your baby further up your abdomen so she will have more room to turn on her own. If this didn't work, my midwife was going to send me to an OB/Gyn she knew for the ECV. But it worked! He turned and he was born at home a few weeks later (10.6 lbs and came out in one push!).
I would suggest trying this inverted laying position until you have the ECV scheduled and maybe she will turn on her own before the procedure.
A note on feeling the baby turn - I never really felt him move much when I was laying inverted, but I can remember a couple of nights laying in bed when he was moving like crazy! I couldn't say that it felt like he was turning, but he was so active and it was pretty uncomfortable, that must be when he did it.
Feel free to ask for more details if I did not explain well enough. I hope all goes well! And I would love to know what happens!

I have not had it, but I had a client who had it done (I am a birth doula) It was succesful for her, and she said it wasn't that bad. She ended up having an 8lb 11 oz girl vaginally! She had it done about the same time you are too. Good luck! :-)

Though I have not had this procedure, I may know someone who can help. Dr.Berlin is a chiropractor in Mid-Wilshire LA with lots of experience in the area of breech babies. His website is www.doctorberlin.com . His office specializes in pre-natal care. It's worth giving the office a call.
Best of luck!
Alexis

Hi,
I see that someone else suggested accupuncture and that is what I was going to say. I saw an accupunturist early in my pregnancy for morning sickness and that seemed to help .. and he told me that if my baby were to end up breech he would know how to turn her. I think it is worth a try.
Good Luck!!!

Hi J.,

I had my Chiropractor who made sure both of my kids where in the right positions at all times. There is something they can do right now that is non invasive.
I also had a midwife with each of my kids...looking to do home births. The first one didn't want to come out after 59 hrs...most of it was in my hesitation...ahaha...with him I finally had to succumb to an epidural. We both suffered with that for the next 2 yrs.
But my Chiro was with me the whole time.

With my second...my midwife had 40 yrs experience and delivered her OWN two kids! Both avenues have natural simple techniques to turn the babies if they are in the wrong position.
I reluctantly had my 2nd in a hospital to appease my husband. But I delivered her with zero drugs and no problems. She did at one point get 'stuck' behind some flap...and if it wasn't for the midwife the nurses were at a loss of what to do. I did it my way with the midwife in the hospital...they all freaked out. We did fine.

You have time to turn her around...naturally.

I don't know where you are located....but ask friends get referrals for a Chiro or a midwife.

Good luck....Godspeed....and Congrats on #2!

Hi there:

I had this done with my oldest (10 years old now). The nurses hooked me up to the IV and the doctor just tapped a few times and my son flipped into the correct position and stayed there until he was ready to come join us in the world. It truly took them longer to hook me up to the IV then to tap and the results were exactly what we were looking for.

Best of luck to you!
D.

Hi~J.
I had this done with my daughter 25 yrs ago. I was also 37 weeks along and very scared. When the 'solution' relaxed my womb, two doctors- one at the top and one near the bottom-gently moved her into place. They discontinued the IV with the solution and kept the baby in place with their hands. After about 5 minutes, they removed their hands and she stayed in place for a normal birth 3 weeks later. I had the doctors' handprints on my belly for about 24 hrs! No problem with my second pregnancy.
~L.

Try seeing an accupunturist. They can help the baby turn with no pain. GOod luck.

Hi J., My daughter was breech also (frank breech, completely folded in half!) and I did undergo an ECV about four days before she was born. I was 36 weeks pregnant at the time, and because I was hoping to have a non-medicated birth, I opted only to receive the muscle relaxer and no pain medication. I didn't think it hurt that badly, honestly. My ECV was not successful, actually, because my daughter's foot was up in such a way that it acted like a kick stand and prevented the doctor from turning her (we learned at birth that the umbilical cord was around her neck, too, so had they turned her, that might have caused a problem).

I had the ECV on a Tuesday, and my water broke 4 days later. My daughter was born when I was 37 weeks along. I don't know if her early arrival was related to the ECV or not (my son, born 2 1/2 years later, was 2 weeks early and my water broke with him, too). I did undergo a C-Section with her and it was okay (I was, fortunately, able to have a vaginal birth with my son), although I was not eager to repeat it when pregnant with my son.

Something I learned while pregnant with my son was that your posture during pregnancy can really influence how your baby sits in the womb. I sat on a birth ball whenever I was on my computer (which, since I work from home, was a lot) and by leaning forward, it kept the baby's heaviest part (the back) facing outward, which is where you want it. I'm not sure if that helped prevent him from being breech, but there are other things you can do as well. I would search online for ways to turn a breech baby naturally. There should be lots of resources. Honestly, with all that I learned when pregnant with my son, had he been breech, I would not have had the ECV with him except possibly as a very last resort because there are safer, more natural things you can do first. Here is a link that may help you with some other options: http://pregnancychildbirth.suite101.com/article.cfm/turni...

Good luck on everything and let us know what happens!

Blessing, A. D

Hi J.,
I agree with the moms who recommended a chiropractor. I see a Dr. Berlin they recommend, but if his office is not near you, I suggest you visit www.icpa4kids.org and search for a Webster technique certified doctor in your area.
Good luck
C. Tanaka, DC
www.naturallifechiro.com

I had this same situation and did not want to do the ECV. My doctor would only give me a week to try to turn the baby alternative ways. I called Berlin Wellness Group ###-###-####. I saw Dr. Eli Berlin (for stretching and manuevering) and Jason Starr for accupuncture and my baby turned after only a couple of treatments. My doctor didn't believe me that the baby had turned (totally felt it when he did -- felt like I had done a summersault) and made me come in anyway, but I insisted on an ultrasound before they started the EVC and they confirmed the baby was head down! We had a natural childbirth (no c-section)! Please call them at the Berlin Wellness Group -- I am so glad I did!!!

Good luck!!!

Hi J.,

I never had ECV because my baby was not only right side up, she was facing forward. Anyway, I had a c-section about 24 years ago and, other than being sore for about 2 weeks, it was no problem. I figure the risk was not worth it to have her vaginally. The only thing I would wish I had done earlier is wait for the surgery until I actually was in labor, but they probably wouldn't have let me do that anyway. My worry with ECV is that the cord would get wrapped up around the baby's neck but they must know how it's situated and the direction they are trying to move the baby so that won't happen. Good luck and don't worry. However way you have the baby, the most important thing is that you have her and that she is healthy.

V.

My grandma was breech, my mom was breech and I was also born frank breech. My son was breech un until 20 hours into labor, when I got a chiropractic adjustment. He moved ALL over and 9 hours later was born head down. No drugs. No c-section.

You can call a chiropractor to do the Webster Technique and check out Spinning Babies website for TONS of ideas.

http://www.icpa4kids.com/about/webster_technique.htm

http://www.spinningbabies.com/