Breech at 32 weeks - feeling wobbly

[Springforward]

Hello all. I didn't want to hijack the thread about turning, hope no-one minds this second one - I'd be really grateful to hear some positive stories.

Just found out baby is in extended breech position and is predicted to be around 9lb, maybe a little more, at birth. This is my second and you'd really think I'd have learned to leave Google alone by know, but I've scared myself silly with stories of babies coming to harm, etc. Could you please tell me how fabulously healthy and happy your breech babies are now? And maybe help me get this back into perspective? Thank you.

[plannedshock]

I posted about a million questions with this!! My baby was breech from the earliest you could feel, everyone was telling me "babies just turn it will be fine!" Well by the time I was 36wks I was still breech and offered a c-section or ecv (turning the baby) I read so much an a few people were telling me that babies die if you turn them and awful stuff like that. I eventually opted to turn the baby which didn't work, just too happy where it was-and they don't force baby to turn, so ended up having a c-section 6 days ago, all is good, she was legs in the air breech and is doing really really well, c-section wasn't my 1st choice but I've got a healthy baby and to be honest everything before she arrived is forgotten!! Pm me if you want any more gruesome details!!! Don't listen to everyone else just make a completely informed decision on what's best for you.

[Fragglewump]

I tried everything to turn my breech baby - on all fours, acupuncture etc and went to try ECV but they decided she was too small to turn so had a c section. They told me they were reluctant to attempt a breech delivery down an "untested birth canal" (male consultant!!!) but gave me the impression if it was my 2nd they would have let me deliver naturally. Which I think is what I would have tried as my research showed many turn naturally during labour itself. My breech baby is now 12. My brother was born naturally and breech and is now huge and healthy!!!! Good luck!

[Springforward]

Thank you both! Just what I needed to hear :-)

Apparently my Trust has three consultants who are breech experts and a good record of vaginal breech births but to be honest, I don't much fancy the idea of ECV (no real rational reason other than the small risk of harm/ emergency cs, just sounds rough for babe!) and I think I'm ok with the idea of a planned cs (may well pm when feeling brave enough to hear, thank you!).

All I really want is a healthy baby, got all emotional about it all last night. I really do need to leave Google alone....

[QTPie]

Hi

DS was breech from at least 28 weeks (4D scan picked it up and he never changed - footling breech). Tried everything except moxibustion and ECV. Felt very comfortable with the idea of ELCS and went with that. It was a very calm, enjoyable experience, I had no pain (although discomfort getting in and out of bed and shifting positions sometimes). I had a good recovery, although it IS major surgery: I did nothing other than look after myself and the baby for the first 6 weeks (and had lots of health), but at 7 weeks I was back in the pool and the gym (gently!). However CSs have risks (albeit less for an ELCS than an EMCS) - so these need to be carefully weighed up. If I conceive DC2 (currently doing IVF), then I will opt for another ELCS.

DS is a very very very healthy, happy, energetic, full if life, fearless 3 year old who started preschool today. He is still stubborn, single-minded and determined - should have guessed that when he was first diagnosed breech!

[Springforward]

DH says that this baby is obviously going to have my temperament, contrary and stubborn, too!

Out of interest, did you refuse ECV, or was it not offered? Just wondered how the conversation went as I think they're quite keen on it here but I'm going to refuse it I think.

[HavingAnOffDAy]

My DD (1st DC) was discovered to be breach at 39 weeks during a routine MW appointment.

The consultant I was referred to said she was too small to turn & I was booked in for a section a couple of days later.

Everything went really well, good recovery for me, DD was a very healthy baby, and is now a snuggly 6 year old

Congratulations & good luck

[QTPie]

You are in trouble.... DS is fab, but boy he requires a lot of energy...

I was going private, so am not sure if that made a difference. I was offered an ECV, but said "on consideration, I have decided that I don't want one". I had very firm stomach muscles at the time and felt he was not likely to turn without severe pain. Also I felt "what will be will be" (he is probably breech for a reason, so leave him be". Consultant basically just said "ok, that will be a nice, civilised birth then". She did outline that the risks provided by an ECV were very very very small, but she completely respected my decision not to have it and to proceed straight to booking an ELCS.

QT

[insanityscratching]

Ds2 turned breech at 34 weeks and stayed there. No ECV offered so had ELCS at 40 weeks. He turned out to be left handed and I have always said if there is a contrary way for him to do something then that's the way he chooses. But he's lovely and witty and very loving and now 24 years old.

[BikeRunSki]

DS was undiagnosed footling breech. Undiagnosed until I was 10 cm dilated. Straightforward emcs and quick recovery.

Was booked in for VBAC for DD. She was breech at 32 weeks, but turned by 36 (I had a position scan) - i didn't feel her turn. Endedup with emcs for different reasons though.

[Thewhingingdefective]

Both my DDs were vaginal breech births - but they were also second born twins and therefore smaller. They are perfectly fit and healthy.

Your breech baby will be fine.

[Springforward]

Thank you so much ladies, got a bit of perspective back now!

[AdiVic]

look up moxibustion, much higher success rate than manual turning, and pain free. My baby turned at 37 weeks, he was big to. That was thanks to spinning babies website. My MW was trying to book me in for CS (no thanks). My friend is 38 weeks, under 5ft tall, with predicted 9lb baby, and she tried moxibustion last week and hey presto - def worth a go.

[BikeRunSki]

I was trying to remember the word moxibustion! it has had lots of success amongst my friends.

[Springforward]

Will Google - thanks for the tip both.

[arlandria666]

i am 35 weeks and baby is breech i have an appointment at hospital on 16th to discuss options.
last week i got took in to assessment unit due to high blood pressure and protein in my urine while i was there a woman was having her baby turned (turned out to be unsuccessful) but the noises she was making has definitely put me off that option!
been crawling around and bouncing on my ball in hope for him to turn but got a feeling he is going to be stubborn like his dad lol x

[organiccarrotcake]

"They told me they were reluctant to attempt a breech delivery down an "untested birth canal"" moron. Utter moron.

I'd certainly go with your instincts on the ECV. Moxibustion is a great option. You could check out www.spinningbabies.com

Sadly the art of supporting women to deliver their babies by the breech has dropped off following the Term Breech Trial, a deeply flawed trial which should have had some really useful information but instead incorrectly reported that breech babies did better when born by caesarian. So, it's a case of having the right people at the right time. An Independent Midwife with experience of breech may be a good option.

The main risk is not having the people with you who are experienced with breech presentation (which is simply a variation of normal), and who try to yank the baby out. As your service seems to have these, that's really positive. I use the term "breech birth" to refer to a baby whose mother remains in control of the baby's birth (usually important), and "breech delivery" to refer to a birth where the caregiver attempts to extract the baby without clinical need. It would be worthwhile discussing this to find out whether your caregivers are "hands of the breech" style. This article explains it very well, by the absolutely amazing Mary Cronk: www.aims.org.uk/Journal/Vol10No3/handOffbreech.htm

This is also useful although it was written before the Term Breech Trial came out www.aims.org.uk/Journal/Vol10No3/breechCSvsNormal.htm

One final thing, almost all babies benefit from going into natural labour first even if they're born by caesarian. It means they're not being inadvertently delivered early, and they are as ready as they're going to be. There are other chemical reasons too. But that's very personal choice as you may prefer to avoid what would be classed as an EMCS if you were in labour, even if you'd planned a caesarian birth.

Oh, and check out delayed cord clamping and you might want to talk to your caregivers about resucitation with the cord attached, if it's needed, and a few more breech babies do than head first babies. It should be possible and it means that your baby will still be getting some oxygen through the cord which is obviously a good thing.

So that's your Googling done for you and here's a fabulous book (check with your local NCT group, they may have it in their branch library): www.aims.org.uk/pubs.htm#breech Good luck with your decisions, remember that breech is a variation of normal and you can do this, whatever you choose xxx

[MissBlennerhassett]

I was booked in for an ECV at 34 weeks after my baby unexpectedly turned breech. I really didn't want that, so called a hypnotherapist asap.

I pretty much didn't believe it would work, she told me dd would turn that night and she did. I was stunned and very relieved. Not saying it works for everyone but you could try it if you're worried.

Good luck whatever happens, I've heard many successful breech birth stories since x

[Springforward]

Found out at scan today that baby is now head down! Thanks to all for your support while I waited for it to happen

[MissBlennerhassett]

Fantastic news, wishing you well over the next few weeks.