Due to my blood pressure being a bit higher than our doctors want, our little nugget is coming out in 2 weeks! He is very firmly breech position and showing no signs of wanting to move, and since I am 35wks already it is getting to the point where him turning on his own is very unlikely to happen.

We are having the ECV attempted in 2 weeks, at which point they will either induce me if it is successful or do a c-section if unsuccessful. Our OB says she has a 50/50 success rate with doing them.

What I need advice on is this: she is suggested getting an epidural before the ECV as it helps relax you and increases the success rate. Plus if it fails, you need one anyways for the c-section. My original birth plan had been an unmedicated vaginal birth, or at least allowing myself to labor unmedicated for a bit before getting an epidural or IV pain meds if needed. I still would like that option, but I've also heard that the pitocin they give you for induction makes the contraction pains worse, and I've heard the ECV is no cakewalk either. I'm worried if I'm tensing during the ECV due to pain that it will fail, but I also would like the option of laboring without an epidural if I can.

Have any of you been in this position and if so what did you do?