Baby in breech position - help

[julesandweekabeya]

Hi, had appointment with midwife yesterday. Am 31 weeks pregnant. Baby in breech position!!! She said that if it does not turn by 35 weeks will be getting c-section. Worried. Does anyone have any ideas how can encourage my baby to move round? shock

[Merlin]

Hi - DS1 was breech at about 35 weeks. MW told me to crawl around on all fours - bit difficult as our house was full of builders at the time and some rooms didn't have floors! Anyway, he didn't turn (footling breech) and had a section at 37 weeks (waters broke). Please don't worry about a section, it really will be fine. At the end of the day you just want your baby born safe and well.

[NotQuiteCockney]

I think being breech at 31 weeks is really common. There are a lot of online tips to turn babies - I don't know if any/many of them work, but they're worth trying, I think. (I had no luck with them, but who knows.)

Here is a link that goes into some details of the methods used, some of which you can try at home.

Like Merlin, my DS1 was a footling breech, which you can't deliver vaginally. We tried ECV, which didn't work, and then had an elective section at 39+5, which went ok.

Has your midwife offered an ECV? Have you had any babies before? (You have a better chance for a vaginal delivery of a breech baby if you've already had a successful delivery.)

[Expectantmum]

I thought 31 weeks would be really early for baby to be in breach position, or is it too big to move around that freely by then? I'm 23 weeks so the thought of being told baby's breach at 31 weeks is quite daunting! As Merlin said, as long as baby is born healthy and strong, then it will all be worth it no matter what.

[katierocket]

my ds was beech at about that many weeks. He turned the right way up by himself, then turned back breech at about 34 weeks. I was told I would probably have to have a CS but didn't because I had an ECV (where they turn the baby) and that worked. You can do all the kind of things like crawling on all fours etc but none of this worked for me.

good luck

[julesandweekabeya]

Hi. Thanks for advice. Is my first baby so totally panicking. Will try crawling around on all fours and anything else that is suggested!!!

[katierocket]

you'll be fine. Just ask lots of questions and get midwives, docs etc to explain anything you don't understand.

[Merlin]

Jules - please try not to worry. I'm expecting no2 in 5 weeks and am having a scan week after next to check position of baby (currently head down), but if it is breech they'll book me in for a section - just as I have got my head round a normal birth!!!!

[sparklymieow]

Ds was breech from 28 weeks and din't turn, had a c/section at 35 weeks (went into labour) Dd2 was breech from 30-33 weeks, she turned at 33 weeksand I had her 2 days later. Don't panic yet, still lots of time to turn.

[bonym]

Jules - don't worry - my babe was breech at this stage and I was a bit concerned as dd was breech at 37weeks and had to be turned by ECV. Don't know if coincidence or not but I had a reflexology at 32 weeks and afterwards babe was squirming around loads and at next ante-natal appointment the midwife confirmed that she had turned cephalic. She has remained that way ever since and I'm now 37 weeks.