2.11.15 - ECV

This morning Jack and I (and Clara) went in for the ECV. I’ll cut to the chase: it went great. The procedure itself took less than two minutes and didn’t hurt too bad. But backing up…

Before we even left several friends (Renata, Molly, Erin) contacted me to tell me they were thinking of me or praying for me or to wish me good luck. It was comforting.

Jack drove us. Everything feels more tiring now so I like it that Jack likes to drive when we’re together. We left 45 mins in advance even though it’s only supposed to be a 20 min drive, and I’m glad we did because we got a little lost for a min and still got there before 9:30am with time to check in.

I changed into a hospital gown and Jack joined me (he’d been at admittance). They set up a fetal heart monitor and a heart monitor for me. The doctor came in and introduced himself and he was very chill and easy to talk to. He did an ultrasound and confirmed Clara was still breech. He showed me how hard he’d be pressing on my abdomen most likely, and it didn’t seem that bad at all. I was relieved.

Then a nurse (named Julie!) came in and set up and IV for me. It was strange to feel the cold sensation going up my arm. I’ve never had an IV before. She also gave me a shot of medicine to relax the uterus. They said the medicine would make my heart speed up but it never felt like it did.

We had to wait 20 minutes for the medicine to kick in, plus they have to monitor Clara’s heartbeat 20-40 minutes before the procedure for a non-stress test. Anytime Clara kicked or moved her heart monitor made loud whooshing sounds. It’s amazing how much the auditory part enhanced the feeling of the kicks, and Jack and I kept smiling and laughing. She was getting super active leading up to the procedure, which apparently is good because it makes it easier to move her.

Eventually the doctor and a nurse came in. They put by bed all the way back and then confirmed via ultrasound where Clara’s head and heart were, etc. The nurse told me to take deep breaths if it got uncomfortable. She said she had had an ECV done successfully and deep breaths helped. I also found that reassuring.

Anyway so they finally got started. I was fairly nervous. Jack held my hand. The doctor put one hand by Clara’s head and another by her bottom and started rotating her. It mostly just felt like odd pressure, but then it did start to hurt a bit. But she basically cooperated with him and in less than two minutes she was head-side down! So whatever pain there was wasn’t that bad because it was so brief. Ha!

The nurse re-set up the fetal heart monitor and we had another 20-40 minutes of tracking Clara to make sure she was not in distress or anything. Jack reckoned she’s more comfortable now that her head has a bit more space. The nurse brought me ice water and grape juice which Jack basically served to me because I had IVs and things on both my hands, plus I was at a weird angle. It was really sweet of him. He also texted all of both of our immediate families to let them know the procedure went well.

It didn’t seem like long before the doctor came back in and said we’re good to go. Jack helped me sit up and get dressed. He even put my socks on for me. He’s such a sweetheart, so eager to be supportive. We listened to cheerful music on the way home and then I made us lunch as he got ready for work. He was very upbeat, singing in the shower and hugging me a lot. J

I also got a lot of support from my dear FB community again, which always makes me feel good!

Later in the day Dad called to check in and see how everything went, which was nice. I told him all of the above and we talked about what it will be like to go from no-kids to a kid (compared to having one kid to then two, etc.) It's all very exciting!