External Version??

L&Dnurse2Be · Sep 30, 2005

Having had a version myself, I can tell you that it does hurt, bad!!! :bluecry1: I thought it hurt worse than my natural delivery with my first child. Before the version I received turbutaline (sp) to help relax my uterus. All it did was make me shake. My doctor tried to turn the baby with the aid of ultrasound. He would get about half way there and then the baby would turn right back to breech. With a history of pre-term birth and having had pre-term labor, they went ahead and did a c-section 2 days later at 35 weeks. Baby was in NICU but that's another long story. Back to the version. I really can't decribe the pain. It was just very intense with a burning sensation. I ended up with huge bruises from my doctor's hands. I will never forget as they were prepping me for surgery my nurse asked me if I had been squished with my seat belt! My doctor was wonderful in trying to avoid surgery, but things don't always work out the way we want them to. Hopefully in your situation with your history the version will be successful. If they give you an option, TAKE THE EPIDURAL, and spare yourself of the pain. Good luck to you! :)

NurseNora, BSN, RN · Sep 30, 2005

I've never had a version, but have assisted with many. As far as pain goes, I've seen women respond with severe pain to some discomfort but no big deal. With polyhydramnios, seems the extra fluid should give you extra room for the baby to move freely.

The terb does give you bad shakes, but keeps the uterus more relaxed. The fact that your docs treat this as no big deal indicates to me that they do lots of them and have a pretty good success rate. That's always a good thing.

I've assisted with a lot of them, and only once saw a problem requiring an immediate section, and that one had a good outcome. The possibility of such problems is the reason we did them in the hospital rather than the doctor's office.

The old midwives trick to turn a breech is for mom to spend a lot of time in knee chest position doing pelvic rocks. Have you been doing that? You might give it a try. Maybe the baby will turn before the version attempt. I've seen several women show up for a version and the baby had already turned itself. Good luck.

RNKitty · Sep 30, 2005

If they are going to immediately induce you after the version, request the epidural first. You will can use it for a c/s if you have to. Plus, your abdominal muscles will be more relaxed if you are not in excrutiating pain. Sounds like your OB's have a plan for you - do you trust your OB's?

sueb · Sep 30, 2005

If they are going to immediately induce you after the version, request the epidural first. You will can use it for a c/s if you have to. Plus, your abdominal muscles will be more relaxed if you are not in excrutiating pain. Sounds like your OB's have a plan for you - do you trust your OB's?

Yes I do! Very much so. I will be attempting the pelvic rocks and knee-to-chest postions to try and get the baby to turn before that.

Thanks for your feedback. I really appreciate it.

epiphany · Sep 30, 2005

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0838/is_125/ai_n6116811

Hi sueb:

As a future CNM, I've been researching acupuncture for correction of breech presentation. There was a randomized controlled trial published by the Journal of AMA, which showed a high rate of success . If you are interested, the above link will give lead you to lots of info.

wannabeL&D73 · Sep 30, 2005

Having had a version myself, I can tell you that it does hurt, bad!!! I thought it hurt worse than my natural delivery with my first child. Before the version I received turbutaline (sp) to help relax my uterus. All it did was make me shake. My doctor tried to turn the baby with the aid of ultrasound. He would get about half way there and then the baby would turn right back to breech. With a history of pre-term birth and having had pre-term labor, they went ahead and did a c-section 2 days later at 35 weeks. Baby was in NICU but that's another long story. Back to the version. I really can't decribe the pain. It was just very intense with a burning sensation. I ended up with huge bruises from my doctor's hands. I will never forget as they were prepping me for surgery my nurse asked me if I had been squished with my seat belt! My doctor was wonderful in trying to avoid surgery, but things don't always work out the way we want them to. Hopefully in your situation with your history the version will be successful. If they give you an option, TAKE THE EPIDURAL, and spare yourself of the pain. Good luck to you! :)

I am just curious about your situation because I don't understand why they did a section at 35 weeks. Did they do an amnio to check for lung maturity, or was there something else going on that baby needed to be delivered?

Shannon

L&Dnurse2Be · Sep 30, 2005

I am just curious about your situation because I don't understand why they did a section at 35 weeks. Did they do an amnio to check for lung maturity, or was there something else going on that baby needed to be delivered?
Shannon

I had been having contractions on and off since 30 weeks. I was starting to dialate at 32 weeks. I had a history of pre-term labor having delivered my first at 34 weeks unexpectantly. Also in the NICU... I had been in anti-partum for about a week when they did the version. They kept me to make sure things were ok, and I dialated to 5-6 by morning, hence the section at 35 weeks. I never had an amnio. I don't think I would have consented for one anyway due the situation. I believe I would have delivered anyway, even if they hadn't done the version. Just FYI, my third baby was born at 37 weeks! She was the only one that got to come home with me. I finally realized what it was like to have your baby in the hospital room with you. :)

CapeCoralNurse2be · Sep 30, 2005

Having had an unsuccessful one on my first baby, who was side-to-side breech as well, I don't personally recommend them. I was given the meds and all they did was make me very anxious, and shaky, and just generally crappy. The procedure itself was extremely painful for me, it seemed to last forever, I thought it would never end, and the tears were streaming down my face the whole time. I found it traumatic and given that choice again, I'd say NO WAY!

That's my 2 cents!

Good Luck

PegRNBSN · Sep 30, 2005

As there is the potential need for an emergent c-section, I would make sure it is done at a hospital that can perform a c-section quickly.

sueb · Oct 1, 2005

As there is the potential need for an emergent c-section, I would make sure it is done at a hospital that can perform a c-section quickly.

Oh definately! They will wait until regular hours to do the procedure and will have a colorectal surgeon present as well in case I need the section.

I have a proven pelvis (4 lady partsl births with no complication) and would love for them to attempt a breech birth (while I know it's impossible to deliver a transverse baby lady partslly). I am also concerned about my water breaking spontaneously with the polyhydramnios and the baby not being head down. For some reason, I have worried incessantly this pregnancy about cord issues and prolapse is one concern of mine.

I've had a spontaneous labor at 39 weeks and 3 induced labors at 38, 36 and 35 weeks. There is just so much complicating this pregnancy that I just want the little bugger OUT and safe at this point.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Oct 1, 2005

For myself, with your history, I would be happier with a breech birth lady partslly. I saw one version that was incredibly painful for the mom, and unsuccessful.

Your doc treating it as no big deal would make me more, rather than less concerned. I find docs that take risks seriously and explain them candidly take more care with their practice- that's just my experience.

If you get the version, get the epidural!! It will be less painful, and faster if they decide they need to do the section in a hurry.