ECV - should I get an epidural or not?

Looking at a possible EVC at 37 weeks…curious if anyone did this without an epidural and how it went for them.

I was hoping to have a home birth to avoid an epidural so it seems insane to get one just to turn the baby.

Open to hearing all experiences good and bad - thank you 🥲

Read more on Peanut

The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.

Learn more about our guidelines.

Add a comment

They didn’t even offer an epidural for my ECV! It was uncomfortable, but definitely nowhere near bad enough to need an epidural.

You could always try without and then try again with. I believe the epidural does increase the success rate if pain is the reason they can’t flip the baby. And a successful ECV would certainly increase the chances of having the birth you want, so if the epidural is needed, I would definitely give it a try

Epidural didn’t take for my first and I actually thought I was going to die. Hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, I’d never wish that pain on anyone. Second epidural worked so well I swear I was holding her in for a minute waiting for the doctor to be ready. Basically slid right out

I had an EVC done March 2024 and didn’t do an epidural but they do recommend it incase you have to go back for a c-section immediately. My EVC was unsuccessful

Where I live they don’t offer an epidural for an ECV so I did it without. If you’re in the mindset of wanting a natural birth with no epidural then you can absolutely apply the same mindset to the ECV. Mine was over within 5 minutes so not very long to have to go through the pain

In my hospital they don't offer one .
I had a successful ECV at 38 weeks. It was uncomfortable/painful but it does last a couple of minutes.
I wanted a vaginal birth and so I had to do the ECV. It was hard but remind yourself who you are doing it for and why!

In the UK we're not offered any pain relief as standard for an ECV. I wasn't given anything and found it really painful. If I had to have one again I would choose an epidural if I had that option.

in our community

Day out after c section

Hey,
I had an emergency c section 1 week ago I obviously don't want a day out right now but I have things booked for the Easter holidays so in 2 weeks. I was just wondering if I will be overdoing it if I have a day out then or will I be ok? I would still take it as easy as I could. When did everyone feel good enough to go out?

Reduced Movements

Has anyone else gone in for monitoring for reduced movements and as soon as you arrive at triage the baby starts moving and the CTG is normal? It makes me feel like I am over reacting.

2nd pregnancy after c section

I’m not planning on getting pregnant anytime soon but in the future possibly. I just wanted to know how is pregnancy after c section like my fear is having to go through another emergency operation or even putting strain on my incision during pregnancy

Labour

Think im a bit confused really, i went into traige as was having contractions eveey 3-5mins. Since being here im now having them every 2-3mins which was confirmed with the machine and i think the toco was 90-100 and they feel painful and my lower back is in loads of pain but apparently im only just over 2cm dilated maybe, she has said i can stay here for a bit longer to see if things progress as had a previous quick birth as well but i dont understand why the pains are coming this quick if im only 2cm dilated and feel a bit deflated from it also.

I had a sweep this morning also.

Baby Movements

Hello, I’m a FTM currently 18W5D pregnant. I’ve been getting this tugging feeling in my stomach after I eat, it’s uncomfortable but not painful. I don’t know whether that’s the baby moving or round ligaments pain.

I’ve also been getting round ligament pain which is either a sharp stabbing pain or a stretching sensation. These happens whether or not I’ve eaten while the tugging feeling is only after I’ve eaten.

So, could the tugging feeling be the baby or something else.

Pregnancy after c section

What time scale did everyone get pregnant again after a c section?
I know the doc said they recommend eating at least a year to 18 months but it took 4 years to get pregnant the first time after being told we could not conceive naturally so not wanting to stop it happening knowing it could take a very long time again but also worried.