Experiences of breech position

[Msbluesky32]

At my 28 week MW appointment baby was in a breech position - head under my right rib and legs stretched out lengthways across my stomach. My MW didn't mention anything in the apmt about this being a problem but I've of course done some reading and now I'm really worried. I've read only 20% of babies are breech at 28 weeks, but I've also read elsewhere that there is no real concern until week 37. The information seems to be really varied. Has anyone had experiences of this, am I just panicking too early? and if so did anything work in terms of helping to encourage baby to move? Thank you!

[ladymia]

You are panicking too early yes, this is not a concern until much later on and only at week 37 will they actually take steps (if you chose to) to turn the baby. At 28 weeks there is still a lot of space for this baby to turn!

[Stropzilla]

DD2 was breech all the way through. The morning of my c section she turned head down by herself! Still had the section tho!

[Missingthemincepies]

I'm 29 weeks and baby has been breech all the way through. Head up in ribs, bum down. Dc1 was a normal delivery and was head down all the way. Must admit I'm starting to get a bit nervous too even though I know there's plenty of time for her to turn. She just hasn't budged in the last 2 months.
The thought of a section freaks me out a bit, but trying to just wait and see. Nice to hear about other persistently breech babies who turn late!

[wigglesrock]

Two of my children were breech from about 20 weeks, well it was noticed at the scans. One of them moved at 36 weeks, I felt the baby turn - was really strange . Dd3 moved at 37 weeks, I didn't feel a thing. I went to be scanned and have a chat about my options and she'd moved

I didn't do anything in particular to shift the baby but I was fairly active - physical job and other children at home.

[coldcupoftea]

Is it you first or second? (or third...) I ask as my DD2 was breech from 28 weeks right up to 37 weeks, and I was told it is more common in 2nd babies as they have more room to move around.

Went to see the consultant at 37 weeks to discuss ECV, only to find she had turned! Ended up being induced at 2 weeks overdue.

So don't worry for now, but if the baby is still breech in a few weeks there are various undignified exercises you can do- there is a website called Spinning Babies, I think.

[Mixxy]

This is my first baby. Breech at 30 weeks, still breech at 36 then went in today for c-section consult today at 37 weeks and baby has turned head down and ready. Don't worry yet!

[Msbluesky32]

It's my first. Thankyou so much for all your responses, it has put my mind at ease.
Thanks coldcupoftea for the website suggestion, I will take a look.
missingthemincepies I'm with you on the section, hoping yours moves soon too!

[ThroughTheRoundWindow]

Hiya
When I was pregnant with my daughter she was breech all the way through. I was given advice about how to get her to turn but to be honest didn't really stick with it - just listened to the stories like those above "my baby turned at 37 weeks" and assumed the same would happen for me. Well, my daughter didn't turn. We went for ECV - it was horrible and didn't work. I had a ECS at 39 weeks and baby was born underweight. We were both fine and at the time I was just happy to have my baby born safely. With hindsight and hearing friends birth stories I feel I missed something very important and am annoyed with myself for not trying harder to get her to turn (and with NHS for not being equipped for breach birth but that's another story).

So here are the things you can do to encourage your baby to turn:

• avoid sitting back on a sofa at all
  

• get on all fours as much as you can - scrub the kitchen floor!
  
• go swimming regularly - breast stroke is best
  

- lie on your back with your bottom raised and your legs in the air
- do pregnancy yoga
- If you get to 37 weeks try the acupuncture thing

Hope your baby turns ok, good luck with everything!

[MrsHBaby3]

Hi this is my 3rd baby and turned on own at 32wks (made me feel very very wierd). Personally I think seeing the chiropractor helped, but I have also been doing:
yoga
swimming
walking
lying upside down with bum in air
massaging belly and encouraging him to turn
scrubbing skirting boards
i bought some moxibustion sticks (accupuncture) but didnt need them in the end
relaxation
visualisation (try drawing on your belly) and talking to baby
straddling chairs, sitting with legs open (how ladylike!), avoiding sofa
birthball
putting cold things on top of belly (I used that ice gel stuff) and keep lower belly warm
loud noises on top of belly (tap it) and gentle strokes to lower belly or headphones with nice music down low of bump
hypnotherapy but thats expensive so maybe consider if theres something youre frightened of which might be holding back baby from getting in best position (we were having house renovated and I think psychologically that had an impact on feeling 'ready')

Good luck, chances are it will turn when gravity kicks in as baby gets bigger so TRY to relax xxx

[MrsHBaby3]

Oh and I also wouldnt rule out prayer or meditation xx

[BikeRunSki]

I found out that DS was breech approx 2 mins before being taken to theatre for an emcs. I was 10 cm dilated.

3 years later, DD was breech at 28 weeks. I had a position scan at 36 weeks and she had turned, although I didn't feel anything.

[Msbluesky32]

Thankyou for sharing your experiences throughtheroundwindow and mrshbaby3. Unfortunately I'm unable to do yoga because of SPD but I started doing what I call the ' cat stretch', which is a yoga move ( but with a much better title) last night: its on all fours and arching and lowering back. I also found a couple of good exercises on spinning babies -one where you hang off the edge of the sofa with your bottom in the air! I'm not leaving it to chance as my biggest fear is a section. Swimming is a good idea too, I will try this -thank you. And there are always skirting boards and floors to clean in our house ! Failing that I might ask DP to add a pull up bar somewhere in the house and hang myself from my ankles until she budges! [smiles]

*bikerunski I'm glad your DD turned. It's interesting that some people can feel it physically happening and other cant.

[MrsHBaby3]

I have pelvic girdle pain and still do yoga and so do a few others there(and saw physio once and wear a support belt if walking). Just let your teacher know and she can adapt the positions for you and also give you some good exercises. Id recommend yoga with spd!