Experiences of Elective C-Section for BREECH presentation please???

[Leilababyno1]

Hi there,

1st Baby is breech at the moment and not sure if I am going to opt for an ECV.

Any ladies experiences/stories of their elective c-sections for breech would be much appreciated??

Thanks!

[iloveholidays]

I'm in the same situation as you - had the ECV on Monday which unfortunately was unsuccessful but glad I tried.

I have my C-section booked for 29th March. I've read very positive stories, so feeling a lot better about it all now.

How far gone are you?

[MummyWilliams]

I have had 2 previous c-sections. One emergency and one planned. This 3rd section is booked for 28 April, but this is due to medical history. However, I am going to watch this thread, as baby is currently breech and have been wondering if it means anything different to my previous c-sections.

[Leilababyno1]

iloveholidays- I am only 34 weeks, but consultant didn't seem optimistic my dd would turn, as she is in an extended leg position.

I am booked in to be seen by doctor again in 2 weeks, when they will offer me an ECV if she is still breech. Not sure I want to have this procedure done though...

Best of luck with your section- please update me and let me know how it goes!

[RockyAddict]

You are me 8 years ago. Never, during my whole pregnancy did I imagine that I would have a Csection. But my first was breech and we (midwife and me and DH) thought he would turn eventually, but he didn't so I had a scan to confirm the position and was booked in for nine days later for Csection. He was born at 38 weeks to make sure I didn't labour.

I personally found the whole experience a lot less traumatic than I anticipated. My consultant was really relaxed as was the atmosphere in theatre on that day. I was very lucky to have no complications during the op and breastfed about 30 mins later in the recovery room. I had no problems with my wound and recovered pretty well in about 4 weeks. TBH once the spinal wore off it was really sore and I was nervous about standing up straight but walking slowly and often really helped. Plus I was prescribed pain killers to help with the soreness.

But it is a big, big op and when they get the baby out it's quite shocking how much you can 'feel' them tug you about. It doesn't hurt of course, but I felt 'winded' from the pushing down on my tummy.

I agreed to a Csection because he was my first, he was a sizeable baby (at 38 weeks - 7lb 13oz) and I couldn't imagine the trauma of delivering him bum first. Everyone has a view of this, but mine is that a section was best for my DS and me.

Good luck.

[Leilababyno1]

Thanks RockyAddict, glad to hear all went well for you.

The thing that is worrying me is that it is a big, big op! I think sometimes, some people during pregnancy push for a section- maybe thinking it's an easier option to a natural labour, so I don't want to be under any illusion.

How long did you bed rest for? When did you have the strength to pick your baby up for the first time?

[RockyAddict]

Ha! I hated hospital so much that I discharged myself the next day! (second time round with a Csection I stayed until they threw me out!!) Anyway...it is a big, big op. I've done it twice and I survived both and recovered well with both.

I certainly did take it easy for the first few days and stayed in bed (at home) as much as poss and got everyone else to fetch me food and drink. I got DS passed to me when he needed feeding and let others do nappy changes. I was a sitting, sleeping, eating breastfeeding lump for a good week. Then I felt like moving about outside so I went for short walks (shuffles) with DH and DS in the pram.

Picking up the baby for the first time? Day one. Six hours after the op they get you up for a bath, once you can feel your legs again. Newborns are tiny and picking him up he wasn't really 'heavy' but I didn't stand around holding him IYSWIM. I probably had more physical strength than if I had gone through a labour.

[CatHerder]

I had a cs for my first baby. I got to 38 weeks, when the mw said she thought baby might be breech, and I should get a scan to check. Went for scan (after the weekend), was told she was feet first, they couldn't do ecv cos I was low on fluid, and they wanted me to stay in hosp and have her by cs the next day, cos of the risk of cord prolapse.

I'd been planning a homebirth, was a bit of a shock.

The op was fine, all very calm and straightforward, and I bf'd dd in the recovery room afterwards. Looking back, it was by far my best birth of 3! Getting up, having a shower and going to have a baby is fab.

But dd wasn't really ready to come out, and it was hard getting her to wake to feed. She was very small so that worried the docs a lot (turned out she was naturally small, still is, but they didn't know that then). We had a week in hospital, nasal feeding tube and me expressing. So much for the nice babymoon at home.

Probs came with the next pg. Do ask about/google the effects of a cs on a subsequent pg. It greatly increases your chances of placenta previa, which I've had twice now, resulting in premature babies (and ambulance rides and long hospital stays and emergency cs and blood transfusions and other scary stuff you don't want to know about).

www.nice.org.uk/CG013 - lots of info on cs, including possible effects on your health afterwards.

Apologies if this is waaay too much information. Caesareans are great life saving things - I wouldn't be here without them. And it may be totally the best thing for you. If I had to do it again I'd have a cs again. But if you do have a choice, it's good to make it an informed choice.

Here's hoping your baby does a somersault this week!

Have you searched on here for ways to get a breech baby to turn? There are quite a few things you can try.

[zippy30]

I'm in a similar situation - 38 weeks pregnant with my first baby who's currently in a breech position. I thought about trying an ECV, but opted out of this in the end and have a C section booked on 30th March. This is only one day before my due date, which is a bit too late for my liking, but they couldn't fit me in any earlier(!)

The recovery period worries me, but I'll have help from my parents for a couple of weeks and DH on paternity leave so hopefully I'll cope. I've heard positive stories from friends and family who've had c sections, so I feel a bit better about it all now.

[Leilababyno1]

Just felt an all-mighty MASSIVE movement, took my breath away..- so think she may have turned!

If that wasn't her turning, I don't know what it could have been!!??

[CatHerder]

Zippy, have you thought about getting your dh to take his paternity leave when your parents go home, or for them not to come till he's gone back to work? May as well have help for as long as you can get it!

I had dh for 2 weeks and then he went back to work - 6am till 7pm. It was fine. The main difficulty was getting out of the house - I couldn't drive and didn't feel confident that I could push the pram up our steep hill. So I did feel a bit shut-in for a few weeks, reliant on friends to come and see me or take me out. But I was certainly able to look after myself and the baby by 2 weeks.

[RockyAddict]

Hey hey!! How exciting. Do keep us up to date on what happens.

Perhaps the thought of entering the world bum first was too much for her to bear!! Ha ha, I always tell my two that the doctor said 'what a lovely big smile' when they were born, followed by 'oh no, my mistake, it's his bottom'

[CatHerder]

Does your bump look different? If you prod it, does it feel different?

[UniPsychle]

Would like to echo Rocky's positive experience. I too had a section for DS for breech - first pregnancy. I didn't fancy ECV and had no 'need' to go for a natural birth. A bit odd knowing when your child is going to arrive, but other than that a brilliant experience. Very civilised, superb team with a brilliant young female surgeon - 2 1/2 years later you can barely see the scar. I also hot-tailed it out of hospital afterwards at the first chance (hated the ward, but somehow suspect, just like Rocky, if I have another I'll stick around as long as they let me!)

I didn't feel a thing - not even the 'washing up inside me' thing that some people talk about. As for pain afterwards, the cracked nipples were a lot more painful than the scar and they do give you voltarol or similar for a few weeks. Best thing I found was over sized magic knickers to stop the feeling that your insides are falling out.

As for recovery, similarly I stayed in bed for the first week or so but could get up to go pee etc. I think though that bed for a week is a good plan for most mums. Whether you're bottle or breast feeding get a good u-shaped pillow to help keep LO supported. You can then go for little walks but don't overdo it. Recovery can't have been that bad because my DP had to go back to work after 2 weeks and I had no other help at all and I coped physically (if not always mentally!)

You're right to think hard about though, full recovery takes a long long time. I reckon it was at least a year until I felt physically normal again, but I think you heal slower with the sleep deprivation. Having said that I know women who had complex vaginal births at the same time as me who are still recovering from those, so there's no guarantees. Bets of luck with whatever you decide.

[UniPsychle]

Well done bump ! If you're only 34 wks there's a good chance that was a turn. Fingers crossed for you.

[Zacmummy]

Hi Leila,
My son has just turned one and I was in your position a year ago! I found out he was breech at 36 weeks. I tried everything, acupuncture, standing on my head, moxa sticks (lol!! it didn't work!) I asked the consultant how successful ecv was. She told me it COULD work (she had had 2 successes!) That was it for me! Decision made I was not going to try ecv! (She was an experienced consultant as well!!!)

My planned c section went so smoothly and was much less daunting than what I expected. (So much so that if I have another baby and have a choice I will opt for a planned section. I didn't feel anything during the operation not even tugging. (I guess everyone is different)

My son went straight onto the breast and I didn't have any trouble feeding.

The only downside for me was the recovery time. I was really quite sore afterwards. Mainly for the 1st few days but it was definately 6 weeks before I was able to drive.

I too had a female surgeon and all the midwifes afterwards commented on how neat my scar was! (ha next time I have one it'll be a male surgeon and it will be all messed up!)

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Oh and I share your name ;)

[Leilababyno1]

OK guys..think I may have gotten a little too excited about the possible shift to head down?

Just had a hard lump pop out again under my right rib.... not sure now!!?? Or could it be a bum?!

Guess, I will just have to wait until my next midwife appointment this Monday to find out..

Hi Zacmummy aka Leila!

Thank's for the support ladies, will keep you posted!

[zippy30]

hi CatHerder, Sorry I wasn't very clear in my last post - my dh is taking his paternity when my mum and dad go home, so I'll have help for about a month which will be great. Also means that we won't all be around at the same time and getting on each other's nerves!

Leilababyno1 - hope the baby has turned for you!
I thought mine had turned a few weeks ago - was absolutely convinced and told lots of people only to find out that it hadn't... it's pretty hard to tell sometimes. But at 34 weeks there's still a good chance that yours has turned. :o

[Leilababyno1]

zippy30- Glad to hear that you'll be having help around for the first month. I have also got my DH taking 3 weeks paternity, then my mum has booked 2 weeks off to follow on from when my DH will have gone back to work. It is important to have support/help around at the beginning- especially if we end up with c-sections...

Not holding my breath that my baby has turned, it was a VERY large movement, BUT since then I really can't be sure anymore where she is!!?? It's soooooo frustrating and confusing as you know! Just gonna wait til Monday to find out either way..

[Pootletrinket]

Reading this with interest after distressing hosp visit this morning. 36 weeks, breech, booked in for ECV next week (wasn't given choice on that) and told the consultants have 60% success there - intrigued, why did people not opt for ECV?

The thought of c-section terrifies me; have v. active 4 year old, DH with only 2 weeks off and no family in the country, how will I get DD to pre-school as well as all of the sanity-saving stuff I had planned?!??

I hope your baby has turned, Leila, hope mine does, too!!!

[Leilababyno1]

Pootletrinket- Consultant/registrar should explain the risks (however small) of the ECV procedure AND it should be your choice! There are risks associated with this procedure and I am surprised the medical professionals have not been through these with you?

Some people choose not to have this procedure done, as it can be very uncomfortable for both you and baby AND there is no guarantee that it will be a success. I would say, weigh up all the pros and cons- but ultimately it is a personal choice.

If you feel very strongly about wanting a natural birth, and ECV is probably a good option.

Good-luck and keep us posted! Fingers crossed your babba turns in the meantime, remember frozen peas at the top of your bump and 'all fours' when watching tv...!

[Pootletrinket]

She explained 2 risks (I think one was non-success and the other placental rupture) but explained that physially the risks to us were low (and dug out some statistics on the placental rupture which were 1:1000).

Hmm,they also said it wasn't a brutal procedure but may be a bit uncomortable.

I think I will go for the ECV as a try but yes, frozen peas, on all fours (for how long?!?) and some swimming when I can....

Thanks!!

[Leilababyno1]

ECV- EXPLAINED..

As with any procedure, there are risks involved with an external cephalic version. The procedure will most likely be monitored closely by ultrasound and electronic fetal heart monitors. An ultrasound will be given to confirm the position of the baby and placenta and measure the amount of amniotic fluid present. A fetal heart monitor will be used to monitor your baby's heart rate before, during and after the attempt. If the baby is showing signs of distress, the version will be stopped. Some doctors will give their patients an injection of medicine to relax the uterus and prevent contractions. The doctor will then try to turn the fetus with his hands while the uterus is relaxed. This is done by placing both hands on the surface of your abdomen. One hand will go by the baby's head and the other will go by the baby's bottom. The doctor will then attempt to roll the baby into a head down position. During the procedure, the mother may experience some pain or discomfort. If the first attempt is not successful, a second attempt may be made.

Although complications are rare during an external cephalic version, they do occur. The major risks involved with the procedure is the chance that the version can open up old cesarean section scars, rupturing the amniotic sac, rupturing the uerus, damaging the umbilical cord or causing placental abruption. The umbilical cord can also become twisted or squeezed, which can reduce blood flow and oxygen to the baby.

Sorry..don't want to worry you. The risks are VERY small. Just think it's important to have all the information, so you can make an informed decision.

All fours, as long as possible and try to extend your arms out along the floor and stick your bottom in the air- it also helps if you wiggle your pelvis from side to side when in this position!

I have been doing this every night, when I felt that massive movement...have yet to find out though whether this exercise has actually made her turn!

[Pootletrinket]

Thanks, I did get a leaflet too, but too much to take in at once!!!

Fingers crossed for both of us!!!!

[frantic51]

Had two elective CSs for breech presentation. Both positive experiences. One emergency (baby was HUGE) not to be recommended. HTH Good luck!

[iloveholidays]

Hi Leila - I hope the baby has turned. I've had a few growth scans since 31 weeks, some say extended and some say flexed so I think its quite normal for the legs to move - but I'm no expert but I'd keep trying all the suggestions.