Breech at 36 weeks - thoughts?

[georgiebs]

Hi there. I am 36 weeks on Friday with my second baby.. which is breech. I have been told to get on all fours and talk to the baby to tell it to put it's head down.. planning too on going to my accupuncturist at 37 weeks to see if she can do anything. Obviously I know it could still turn and am hoping this is the case.
I had a wonderful 2 hour pain relief free birth with DS1 and would hate to have a horrible painful experience this time, and would definitely hate to have a c-section, but the most important thing is safety to me. Any thoughts/similar experiences would be welcome. Thanks very much Georgie.

[BrummieOnTheRun]

My 3rd turned the right way at 37 weeks. They're little buggers, aren't they?! Good indication of their later personalities, I think!

[coppertop]

Dd (3rd baby) was breech right up until 37wks. She was then in a transverse position for about a week before finally turning to a head-down position. I did the whole 'down on all fours' thing (fnarr!) but have no idea whether it contributed to dd finally moving.

Good luck.

[eleusis]

Can't they turn it some how. No idea how they do this, and I don't know the success rate. But, I'm sure there is something.

Personally, I think sections are underrated. But, hey, you obviously feel differently.

You might, however, want to prepare yourself for the possiblity. I would suggest picking up a book in Waterstones to read up on them and know what to expect for recovery -- just in case.

[Pannacotta]

Have heard/read that reflexology can help breech babies to turn, might be worth a try...
Good luck.

[pendulum]

My DD turned breech at 36 weeks and there was no shifting her after that. I refused the turning (ECV) because I felt quite squeamish about it and my bump was so sensitive.

Eventually had elective section and it wasn't bad at all, in fact am planning another CS with second child. DD was so wedged in with limbs stuck in all directions that I was told I was very unlikely ever to have squeezed her out naturally, but the probability depends partly on the "type" of breech (i.e. position) which they can see on a scan.

You can insist on trying to deliver naturally, and have quite a good chance given that you've already had one natural delivery- but it would be what they call a trial of labour, with constant monitoring and an expectation on you to progress at a certain rate.

Good luck whatever happens!

[Annie75]

Hi - I've been doing a bit of research as I'm breech at 34 weeks. There's a good article here www.womens-health.co.uk/breech.asp which describes the different breech positions - apparently some are easier to deliver than others.

Apart from the usual (yogic positions, reflexology, walking etc) I'm also considering something called moxibustion. It sounds dead odd and is where you burn sticks of mugwort next to the toes - but has a weirdly high success rate of stimulating fetal movement . I've found someone near me who does it by googling.

Main thing to remember is that they say not to worry as you've still got at least another week for the baby to turn. But I know what you mean about worrying - I have been anyway! Good luck.

[lulumama]

they can turn, or you can try moxibustion, pulsatilla, or ECV, even asking baby to turn

www.gentlebirth.org good tips on there and also in the Janet Balaskas active birth book on turning a breech