External Version - BTDT (?)

Has anyone had one done? If so,

1. Did it work?

2. Was it painful? How painful?

3. Did the baby stay in the correct position after that?

4. Would you recommend trying it to someone else? Why or why not?

Re: External Version - BTDT (?)

My son turned the wrong way at 39w2days. I tried moxibustion (sp?) and a chiropractor on the day before I was to do the version. Neither of those things worked (but maybe they helped to loosen things up?).
The day before my due date, I had the external version done. I was at Winthrop. My midwife did the actual version, while the doctor from her office monitored on the ultrasound. They do a fetal monitor also. If the baby is showing any signs of distress, they stop.
She pushed- hard- on the top of my stomach, then (I think) counter clockwise until he was laying sideways, and then he sort of snapped back into position. I could definitely tell as soon as he was back in the correct spot. Then I had to stay until they were happy with the reading from the fetal monitor.
He stayed in position until I gave birth, which was five days later (In perfect health- no meconium in the fluid, or anything else).
It was very uncomfortable. I did not have pain meds, but I did read online that some drs give them. I was not offered them, nor would I have taken them. In retrospect, it wasn't painful enough that I would have wanted them. I took very deep yoga-ish breaths (like for labor) and that helped. I had bruising on the top of my belly for at least two weeks after.
I would definitely recommend the version, as I was adamant about wanting to avoid a c-section and i don't think any hospital in the area will do a vaginal breech delivery. I do know other people for whom the version did not work though.
Hope this helps! FM me for any other questions. GL!
ETA: Shout out to midwife Melanie Sumersille of Garden City OBGYN for her skillful version and subsequent capable and caring help in the birth :)
Also, the force needed to push the baby back into the right position is really hard! Melanie was sweating and panting by the time my boy was back head down (he was 9+ lbs at birth, so there wasn't a lot of room for him to move!)
One more thing- my husband was horrified by the procedure. He was really nervous, and didn't like the amount of pressure necessary to turn the baby. But in the end, baby and I were both happy and healthy.

Message edited 7/3/2012 2:14:33 PM.

Re: External Version - BTDT (?)

My sister had one. Her Dr told her if she could deal with the pain for the version then should would be fine having no drugs for labor.

Hers did not work. They tried 3xs and the last time he flipped but then flipped right back.

Another friend had on and it worked but ended up with a section anyway cause the cord was around the neck a few times