Talk to me about breech babies

[Flossiesmummy]

I'm 40 + 3 and was sent for a growth scan today as they thought the baby was going to be big.

Despite being told baby is head down and engaged, it turns out baby is actually breech with the ability to move to transverse.

My DH is at home due to childcare issues and I'm waiting in the hospital.

Hand hold needed please!

Any experiences of breech babies welcomed as I have zero idea of what's happening next

[TeamEponine]

DD was in an awkward breech position and wasn't shifting! I ended up having an elective CS which was a very positive experience. I spent ages worrying about it and getting very stressed, but looking back on it, things went very smoothly.

It depends on what position baby is in, but they may offer a manual turning procedure. The success rate of this differs according to lots of different things, so that is worth doing some reading about.

Whether to try for VB or go straight to ELCS will also depend on position of baby.

Hand holding

[Flossiesmummy]

Thanks Team I'm totally bricking it here

I need DH! It's the uncertainty that's nerve wracking.

I may be an adult but I feel like I need a real one with me.

[metimeisforwimps]

Hi, I had a similar experience, was diagnised breech in early stages of labour and advised to have a c-section. I opted to give birth naturally but ended up with a c-section as labour did not progress. This often happens as th weight of the babys head in normal delivery helps it to move downwards.
I don't regret trying a natural birth, but also, the c-section was fine and had no negative consequences for me or baby.
Stay calm, remember the choices are yours (if you decide to birth naturally you will need to stand your ground). All the best. xx

[ISpeakJive]

My DD1 was breech. Not only was the little madam breech, her legs were in such an awkward position that they couldn't even offer me ECV!

So had to have a C-Section. It was a very positive experience and one I repeated a second time too. Now I'm pregnant with my third, its going to be another C-Section which I'm fine about. Don't get me wrong, it's an in depth operation but I believe if you have a positive mind you'll recover fairly quickly.

[Flossiesmummy]

Thanks for the responses. I'm waiting to see the doctor now. Nervous doesn't cut it!

[SleepForTheWeak]

No advice but wishing you all the best

[BuzzLightyearsHoneyBun]

Both my boys were breech and I have had two sections. I went into labour naturally with both at 38 weeks (but knew they were breech and was booked in for sections at 39 weeks)
first section was an amazing experience, the 2nd a bit complicated but baby was fine

[BestZebbie]

I had a breech baby sitting up with legs crossed at the ankle. I was due an elective c-section but went into labour, it was like trying to birth an open umbrella. Fortunately I then had an emergency c-section. Have a c-section.

[Flossiesmummy]

Buzz thanks for sharing. It's good to hear some stories. It's giving me something to do while I'm waiting.

[Flossiesmummy]

I'm being admitted. DH is on his way and I think I'm going for a section tomorrow.

[Idontknowwhoiam]

An elective section is a good experience. Nothing like an emergency and I healed much better after the elective. I refused to let them try and turn her. They told me she could turn back so just opted for cd.
Good luck!

[FuzzyOwl]

I had a breech baby discovered when I was 9cm so ended up having a very quick EMCS. It was a really positive and calm experience and I healed really quickly and well; better than some in my antenatal group who suffered tears and other problems.

Hope it all goes well.

[TeamEponine]

I went for an ELCS as everything I'd read about DDs breech position seemed to suggest an EMCS would be a likely outcome. She had her legs straight up with her feet by her ears! I'm a bit of a control freak, so went straight for the ELCS. It really was a very positive experience.

Good luck for tomorrow. If you have any questions about anything, do ask!

[dollybird]

DD was discovered as breech as her bottom came out! No problems at all, delivered very swiftly

[Flossiesmummy]

Thanks everyone. What kind of pain do you experience afterwards? Is it manageable?

I'm hoping to breastfeed - will my milk be affected by not having a normal delivery?

[Glitterspy]

My boy (now 6months) was breech at 34 weeks and didn't turn despite yoga and swimming (bit late for you for those now!!)

I declined the ECV as I was advised he looked very 'comfortable' and as I didn't want to end up in a long labour and then EMCS I opted for an elective which was very positive. The pain was manageable, just take the morphine and do exactly as you're told. My dressings came off the next day, scar was sealed in a week and 6mnths on isn't very visible.

I breastfed within an hour of delivery, in the recovery bay. The nurses there are so kind and do everything they can to help - one pretty much did it for me (as in held the baby to my boob - I was adamant I could manage but post-op you just need to lie back and let yourself be helped. Apply that mantra for as long as anyone is willing to help you with anything - in hospital and especially when you get home - and you'll be totally fine. So will the baby - and you'll have some cute bendy-legged pics.

I was walking (like, to the corner of the street and back) within a week. Light housework after 3. Driving and back to 'normal' after 5. Exercising after 4months.

Fwiw I was born breech (my mother delivered me naturally without pain relief of you can imagine that) and I'm fine

[Glitterspy]

Oh and to answer your question about breastfeeding, I've been going strong since the birth and am still breastfeeding now.

[Hastalapasta]

DD was breach, found out when I was 9cm dilated, my waters had broken and there was meconium in it...
Emergency C-section was amazing, the staff were fab, DD was wiped and placed on my tummy, she rooted and fed straight away.
Was a bit weird to slowly regain feeling from the toes up but that was all.
Recovery was quite quick, walking after a few days, driving after 3 weeks.
Wishing you all the best.

[Kpo58]

When I had a C-section I don't recall any pain, though if you know that you are about to laugh or cough it's best to hold your belly.

I was up and walking the day after. Though not being able to get out of bed for the first day was a great excuse to get someone else to change the babies nappy.

[Flossiesmummy]

Thank you so much everyone. I'm still waiting for DH to arrive and I'm one of those people who really needs information, anecdotal or otherwise to prepare myself mentally.

I bloody love you lot

[wombthereitis]

This might help?

"The abrupt hormonal shift that occurs at the separation of the placenta from the uterus is what signals your milk to come in. Thus mom’s body will get the same signal whether she has a cesarean or vaginal birth."

FWIW I had a non emergency "emergency" c section and it was great. Calm with a quick recover.

[Jodie1982]

Luckily my boy flipped around the night before my last presentation scan, really didn't want a C section. He was born with a very flat skull on the left side, it might affect him cosmetically later on, apparently a helmet wasn't needed. Also his feet turn out, mostly the left, he's under a therapist and decent footwear and exercise will help to position his feet better. Therapist said as he was a big baby he was very squished inside me bless him. The flip he done (37 wks) when turning felt awful!!
Good luck to you. Wishing u all the best.

[cudbywestrangers]

Ds1 was breech, picked up at 7cm on arrival at hospital and also lots of meconium in waters. I had emcs which was fine for me although procedure was quite difficult as ds was very wedged. He had to go to nnu for breathing difficulties but was fine. This is much less likely with elective! Milk came in on day 3 I'd I remember rightly although due to being on nnu he had formula top ups in hospital. Once home we ebf no problem.

My recovery was pretty straightforward. I was tired but pain wasn't too bad at all, could walk gently after a few days and round the park after a couple of weeks. Drove at 4 weeks, tennis at 3 months. Might have stretched out the no housework for quite a while! Scar barely noticeable now but area was numb for ages after.

Ds had a bit of a funny shaped head where he had been wedged on my ribs but you can't tell now. He also had a tear in a neck muscle due to the difficult delivery but again no long term effects.

I had ds2 by vbac a few months ago, he was right way round!

Make sure you have some nighties and pants big enough to go above scar, you won't want waistbands digging in for a while. Tena pants are actually pretty good. Also accept all help offered!

Good luck!

[Flossiesmummy]

Thanks womb I didn't know that. That's reassuring

[TeamEponine]

Hope you're feeling ok this morning Flossie.

Yes, I forgot about the head dent! DD had a small dent, but you only really saw it if you knew to look for it, and it went within a few weeks!

Pain wasn't too bad afterwards. Just take it slow. I only suffered when I pushed myself to do too much. I'd highly recommend a c belt for recovery. It made me feel far safer and more supported.