Breech baby

[Littlemissworry25]

Hi I've been to my midwife today (am 36weeks+4) and she's said the baby is breech I have a scan booked to confirm tomorrow but he is very confident. I am now petrified and have heard horrible stories about turning the baby and am petrified of needing a section. Am sure I'll just totally panic and the thought of the spinal and not being able to feel my body I'll feel like I can't breath and have a panic attack and also the thought of being cut open scared me to death :( someone please help :( sat at home googling and terryfying myself :(

[Gemdar]

V quick reply as meant to be cooking kids tea!

My ds was breach found out at 37 wks. They tried to turn him 3 times. Was uncomfortable and made me feel a bit queasy by the end but really wasn't bad at all I had been v nervous too.

Did end up having a section as he was 9lb8 so no-one was keen on me having natural delivery although I could have insisted. Having done natural and section I have to say section was quite easy and relaxed.

Like you scared of the spinal but really isnt bad at all and op was straight forward. Insist you have your OH with you for spinal if you feel it will help as it will help as I wish I had as didn't like being on my own.

Avoid the horror stories as I've never known any bad ones and know loads who have had sections!

Oh and in meantime google and try moxibustion. Didn't work for me but my midwife and even my consultant said to try it!

Good luck and try not to worry

[KatamariDamacy]

DC1 was breech and turned spontaneously at 38 weeks; DC2 had unstable lie (kept flipping around) but settled down after using moxibustion at 38 weeks. There's time for your baby to turn.

Vaginal breech birth is also something to consider.

And stop googling.

[KatamariDamacy]

And also good luck; didn't mean to sound harsh.

[januarysnowdrop]

Please stop googling and terrifying yourself! It won't do you or the baby any good. I had a vaginal breech birth (at home, of all place) because nobody realised that dd3 was the wrong way up until the very last minute, and I honestly wouldn't recommend it.

Lots of people have C sections and they're really very safe and everyone I know who has had one has been totally fine.

You could try all the various methods for turning a breech baby (handstands in a swimming pool?!), but don't get all worked up about the possibility of a section - if it happens it almost certainly won't be as bad as you're expecting. I really hope it all goes well for you.

[racmun]

Dd was breech and I had a section didn't try turning as I had low fluid amd a heart shaped womb. After having ds naturally and then needing a spinal block anyway to get the placenta out if I was to have third I'd have a section.

If its all planned it a lovely peaceful experience.

It's uncomfortable afterwards but I was up walking the next day and was ok to drive after 3 weeks. I felt fine at 2 but doctor said to wait another week.

For me the recovery after vaginal delivery was just as uncomfortable as the section.
Good luck.

[TheOneAndOnlyAlpha]

I had a c section for a breech. It's absolutely fine. It's scary if you think about it too much - so stop - because it was honestly fine! The spinal doesn't hurt as they numb the area first. You'll be so excited to see your baby that you won't even notice what they are doing. Promise.

It really is fine.

[qazxc]

I'm in the same boat as you.
Try all the exercises (they can't hurt). There's a site called spinning babies. and sitting on birth ball, etc... Remember that baby might flip of his own accord.
I can't advise you on a doctor manipulating the baby or a vaginal breech birth as, in my case, they weren't suitable.
Elective sections are very safe and relaxed affairs, you will be talked through them and you can have your partner present.
Please do not torment yourself with horror stories from google, talk to your midwife or doctor.

[Littlemissworry25]

Just wanted to say a thank you to you all for taking the time for your kind words. I've had a scan today and baby was confirmed a as breech and after lengthily discussions with my partner we've decided not to try for the turning as that's my gut feeling and think baby must've breech for a good reason. Got appointment to see consultant to book in for the section, extremely scared as I'm a panicker :( but trying to come to terms with it and so trying to be brave . Thanks again for all your kind words of support and advice :)

[MagratGarlik]

DS1 was transverse at 37 weeks, but because he was cord down, I was hospitalized at 38 weeks. I didn't want them to try and turn him (rhesus negative, worried about blood mixing), but was talked into it. It didn't work, but was fine tbh. They give you a muscle relaxant and you feel a bit dizzy for a while after.

In the end I had a section for transverse lie. Absolutely terrified, but it was fine. The spinal is a small scratch and they check you can't feel anything before they start. I could actually still move my legs (with effort), but that was OK, apparently a small number of people can.

Once you are in the operating theater, the anesthetist is god and if you indicate any bit of pain/discomfort they stop everything until it is sorted.

Honestly, it will be fine.

[qazxc]

I think it's normal to be nervous. Just remember that they do these operations every day and the most important thing is to get the baby out safely.
I found that asking about other women's experiences has helped me a lot. The more I could mentally prepare myself for it, the less panicky I got.

[Aleksandra034]

Hi OP

I was in your boat give or take a couple of weeks, and was obsessing about the fact that I didn't want to have a C section. This was with DS who was my second child. I had moxibustion (sorry, spelling?) and reflexology, followed by an osteopathic/chiropractic adjustment to ensure my hips were well aligned, there was good space for the baby to turn etc. In the end the baby turned. Of course we will never know whether he just turned on his own....Still - if you try safe and non invasive alternative therapies, you never know what might work.
Good luck xx

[fattycow]

I was breech when my mum was pregnant with me. I was still breech at 40 weeks. And at 41 weeks. I wouldn't budge when they tried to turn me. Then at 41+5 I managed to turn. I was born at exactly 42 weeks.

[liquidstatehasrisenagain]

Try acupuncture - worked for me 2 weeks ago. Also swimming, leaning forward and when lying down raising your hips and legs above the height of your head. I didn't try those but they were recommended.

The acupuncture session involved moxi sticks which your dh has to hold close to your little toes for 20 mins a day. weird but it seemed to work as when I went in for the turning the baby had turned during the few days before. The midwife said that she had heard good results for acupuncture.

Acupuncture best at 37 weeks I think and cost me £50.