Birthing big breech babies

[CattyB]

Hi there, Now 37 weeks pg with no4. Had straightforward water homebirths previously with all babies weighing in at 9lb 13oz + (middle ds was 10lb 2oz). This baby appears to be breech and although I'm doing what I can to get it to turn I was wondering if anyone had experience of birthing a big breech baby?
My pelvic floor is hardly in good condition so was hoping to just cough this one out!! But now that its breech might need to reconsider. Really don't want a c/section unless there is a real medical emergency.
Attending antenatal clinic for a scan (first one ever) on Monday and happy to try ECV if not contraindicated but wanting to be prepared to fight for a vaginal birth if at all possible!
Any advice would be most gratefully received - thanks.

[Toady]

hello have not had a breech birth but I am sure you can get some great advice from Mary Cronk who is an experienced mature midwife especially when it comes to breech births, she has given breech baby workshops to other midwifes on delivery techniques etc. This is her website with some great links on and her email address and telephone number.

She will probably know somebody near to you as well who is experienced in breech births.

Saying that you are only 37 weeks so baby could still turn.

[CattyB]

Thanks Toady - have emailed Mary. I hope this is all in vain but want to be prepared just in case.

[snugglebumnappies]

Hi CattyB, Mary is deffinatly a good person to be in touch with, also if you can get hold of a book called Breech Birth by Benna Waites you will find this really helps. I used Benna's book as my bible (it is so well referenced I don't really think you need any more info than this) when my DD was breech presenting, second pregnancy, first not quite as big as yours, 9lb, all the medics fretting but I managing to plan a gorgeous breech birth (not delivery). DD wasn't up for it though and turned to oblique at 8cm and I ended up with a EMLSCS, however was absolutly delighted with my birth experience as until then I did everything MY way, used the pool, no continuos monitoring, no venflon....all the usual with breech labours in hospitals. I am sure Mary will talk you through the difference between breech birth and breech delivery (sorry don't mean to be patronising if you already know, it's just most women don't realise there is another option to the high tech breech deliveries that obs carry out, and it's a much kinder and genteler birth for both you and your baby). Also don't even listen to them about an estimated fetal weight from scan, Mary will tell you just how poor late scans are at estimating your baby's weight, the obs still love 'em tho! Also have you tried any comp therapies to try and get baby to turn, moxabustion is a good one, whereabouts in the country are you as I may know a midwife or a moxa therapist who could help.

[binkacat]

If you've had 3babies before then the odds are in your favour. This article might be useful, Mary Cronk is the breech birth guru. Be warned though, you might have to fight for a vaginal delivery, the docs won't be too keen. But if its what you want then don't be bullied into a c/sec unless there is a specific problem besides the breech. Yon can't be made to have a c-sec done if you don't want one.

www.radmid.demon.co.uk/Skills.htm

good luck

[CattyB]

Thanks snugglebumnappies and binkacat. I'm in East Lothian - any recommendations on practitioners would be gratefully received.
I had a presentation scan today and baby is frank breech - so good position for vaginal birth if it comes to that. Going to try lots of crawling and started taking pulsatilla this evening will also try using a light for the baby to follow round and frozen peas on its head - hopefully something will work. If not - I'm booked for attempted ECV a week on Wednesday. Midwives go oncall for my birth from Friday so fingers crossed all goes to plan. Going to write a very detailed birth plan stressing my opposition to an intervention esp c/section unless absolutely necessary.