External Cephalic Version

My baby girl is just as stubborn as her mother and her mother’s mother.  She comes from a long line of strong women.  If we are comfortable and happy, nobody is going to move us.

BabyGirl is Breech.  She’s not where she’s supposed to be at week 37.  To get her to be in the correct position, occipito-anterior position (head down, facing spine), in order to have a safe vaginal birth, we’d have to get her to flip since her head is toward my head and not toward my vagina.  She’d either have to do it on her own, which would be fun to see a child of mine cooperate, or have an external cephalic version.  This procedure would be done at the hospital by my OB.

Shun and I did everything to get her to move on her own.  We frequented the site www.spinningbabies.com as recommended by my sister in law that had positions and tips listed for me to get that baby to spin. I crawled around on all fours. I placed an ice pack on the top of my stomach.  I went to an acupuncturist. I played soothing music near my vagina while Shun shined a light up there. We were going to get this baby to move to prevent me from having to go through the ECV.

When the time came for my ECV the doctor used an ultrasound to determine the position of the baby. It didn’t work.  My BabyGirl was still breech and the ECV was the next step to prepare her for a safe entrance into the world.

It's a very intense procedure so my doc recommended I have an epidural to relax my muscles to make it easier on me and the baby. If I wasn’t tense, the team could manipulate the baby easier and cause less stress.  Although I was entertaining an epidural free birth, I opted to have it for the ECV.


My awesome nurse took me back to the surgery area to get my epidural. The anesthesiologist was also very awesome, but there was a blood vessel in the way of the catheter during the first try. To avoid it she had to pull it back a bit, but the medicine wasn’t being administered well enough. I wasn't going numb. I was worried that the epidural wouldn’t work.  My mother, who also had MS, told me stories about how the epidural didn’t work for her. I was wondering if the same thing was happening to me either because of whatever genetics my mother and I shared or the fact that we both had MS.

We would need to try a different spot where we’d be less likely to run into a blood vessel. Try number two was a success and the medicine went in without a problem.  It was not an issue with MS.

Having a numb belly is interesting, but I was ready for the version.

While I was getting my epidural, Shun was in the other room putting scrubs on. When they finally let him in, I started laughing. He just looked so cute in the scrubs, mask and shower cap –like thingy. Once he was there and I was fully numb, we began the procedure.

DaddyShun playing Doctor.

Oh holy hell it WAS intense. I had two doctors pushing and squeezing on my belly. They were really working hard to get BabyGirl to spin. I had to stop them once because of the pressure on my chest was making it difficult to breathe.

On the second try, there was a brief moment when we thought she started to spin and everyone in the room got excited. As soon as the doctors stopped to reposition themselves, she went right back to her spot.

Stubborn baby.

They let me rest before they tried for a third and final time. The doctors were pushing really hard and were doing everything they could to spin her, but she wouldn't budge. Since the third try was unsuccessful, they stopped.

My OB, Anesthesiologist, nurse, and CNA who helped with the procedure were all awesome. It wasn’t a successful procedure, but I felt great support through the whole ordeal. Shun by my side saying encouraging words was also very helpful.  He didn’t even mind being the bud of all the jokes in a room full of women. I love that man.

So what now you ask? We wait to see if she flips on her own. I will continue to try the techniques I did before to try and make it easier for her. She’s my daughter though. Girl is going to do what she wants to do. If she doesn’t flip on her own, we’ll be scheduling a c-section for week 40. Not too worried about that since there are amazing people in the maternity ward of my hospital


I am sore one day later and of course am worried to see if any MS symptoms pop up.  So far so good.  My body is still protecting me and my baby right now and aside from the belly soreness, I’m not having any problems.  I made my neurologist aware that I would be having this procedure in case any trauma caused my MS to flare up. She has been great and supportive during my pregnancy. I’m lucky to be surrounded by amazing medical staff.

My advice to MS Pregnant Ladies:  Keep everyone in the loop. It’s not a burden to keep your OB and your neurologist informed.  They appreciate it.  If you’re having a procedure done by your OB, make sure your neurologist is aware.  It’s a simple phone call to have a note left for your doctor.