36+4 breech baby

[Jb17116]

Hello everyone,
Iv been booked in for a presentation scan on Thursday (il be 37 weeks then) because my midwife suspects baby is breech.
Now I am crapping my pants.
I really need talking down from this panic iv got myself in

The ECV scares me - it kills just having my midwife measure my bump (she is very heavy handed though 😂) there's only a 50% chance it will work and knowing my luck he will turn back around. All iv heard is horror stories and it's really put me off even attempting it.

Csection terrifies me - I have a 4yo and a partner with next to no paternity leave to help me out during recovery. Im really terrible with strong pain killers so worrying about how I will manage pain afterwards not to mention any possible complications.

If it was a choice between a vagina breech birth or csection I think I would opt for csection because its supposedly safer for baby - even if it isn't for me, but I'm not ruling it out if hospital think it would be safe to do.

What we're you experiences with having an ECV, planned section or a vagina breech birth? Good and bad - I need to start mentally preparing myself for all possibilities.

[Peony99]

I had a Planned section for a transverse baby 6 weeks ago

Honestly, I'd recommend it. Totally calm, very little pain, and an easy recovery (I know that's not the case for everyone).

ECV and attempts at breech vaginal births often end in emergency C sections, and I really really didn't want that stress and then end up with a potentially more difficult section - I decided I may as well get on with it.

[MyCatScaresDogs]

Don’t panic - I was referred for a presentation scan for breech and baby turned out to be head down - so far head down that they couldn’t measure his head. So yours might not be breech!

But a c section is manageable, even with a four year old - you just have to plan for the recovery (eg knowing you can’t do much, you can prepare your four year old, make sure snacks are in a place they can reach them when you’re home alone together, etc). You will need to enlist help for the first couple of weeks (does your partner not get the standard two weeks?). But after that, you might well be fine.

Strong painkillers - I’ve never been offered more than paracetamol and ibuprofen but found it manageable.

[Hollyhead]

I had an ecv - it was agony, but only for 30 seconds. DS turned and I had him 2 weeks later, all straightforward.

[tenlittlecygnets]

Do research. The spinning babies website - spinningbabies.com/ - has helpful advice on positioning to encourage your baby to move head-down.

My recovery from a cs was fine - only paracetemol needed.

And 'only' a 50% chance of success in an ECV - that's pretty high!!

But baby might not even be breech...

[HugeAgeGap]

I had elective for breech, didn't seem a possibly at my hospital to do vaginal birth. Baby was breech from really early on and never moved, tried all the natural things.

Didn't attempt a move as both my mums sisters had breech babies. One was moved and just turned straight back again and the other was moved, got stuck and ended in emergency section there n then - I think it's a genetic thing with women in family that something is funny shaped encouraging breech presentation!

My section was fine, calm and no problems with recovery.

[Mummyme87]

The trust I work at have started doing a breech clinic. So you have a confirmed breech presentation, meet with breech specialist midwife and go through scan and recommendations. If position of baby and growth etc normal then recommend for ECV and discuss vaginal breech. We are doing more and more vaginal breech births now with good success. Very strict guidelines for labour and wouldn’t induce/use synto etc.

Unfortunately many hospitals are still giving out poor advice on breech and using the breech trial study which was incredibly flawed and the doctor who carried out this research has now apologised and stated it shouldn’t be used. In light of this trial doctors and midwives are out of practice and lacking experience. Things are changing however

[RhymingRabbit3]

Dont start panicking yet

• your midwife could be wrong, mine was convinced baby was back to back and I had a scan a few days later and she was not
• the baby could still turn on his own, more common with second and subsequent babies
• a c section isnt the end of the world

[butterwithtoast]

My baby was undiagnosed breech so I had no choice but to deliver vaginally. It was very quick. I was rushed into theatre and she was delivered by a doctor, rather than the lovely water birth I'd envisaged. And I had an episiotomy because they need the head to deliver quickly once the cord has been delivered. Baby was fine, but we stayed in for a couple of nights for observations due to meconium in waters and some low blood gas scores immediately following birth. I'd really recommend exploring vaginal birth as an option, I'm glad I didn't have to have a section, though would have liked some warning that she was upside down! Good luck, and fingers crossed they turn for you!

[1066vegan]

I had a breech baby. It was only found out quite late when my midwife sent me for an extra scan. I went into hospital the next morning to see if dd could be turned; she was too big by then and too stubborn to move so I was kept in and had an elective c section later that day.

The attempt at turning was pretty uncomfortable. The c-section itself was fine. Having an epidural was ok, I didn't feel anything during the c-section and a bit sore afterwards but it wasn't too bad. It did hurt the first time that the nurse made me sit up, but that was the worst bit.

dd has ddh (developmental dysplasia of the hip). That's more common in breech babies so something to be aware of.

[LBTM]

I had an ecv. It didn't work but it also wasn't painful. One of the important things to find out if you are considering a vaginal delivery is what sort of breech position the baby is in. If it's a frank breech position with the baby bent double and feet up by the head then the risks to the baby are not so much higher than a normal delivery and i'd definitely discuss it with your consultant. If the baby's feet are below their bottom, near the cervix then the risks are really high. If the baby's legs are crossed (complete breech) then the risks are still fairly high. I had a C-section as my baby was complete breech. I really didn't enjoy it (and I've have had 2 fairly difficult vaginal deliveries to compare it to) would have tried for a vaginal delivery if next baby was frank breech. Luckily he was the right way up!

[Ejc0309]

Thanks for all the reassuring messages!
I had the presentation scan this morning and he is definitely breech and in a bit of an awkward spot but the consultant said we could try and ECV which I agreed to, which should be sometime in the next week.

I'm in 2 minds about whether or not I should have just opted for a planned section.
Because of my partners crap work (hes a bus driver) he will only be having 2 days leave - we can't afford 2 weeks on stat pay unfortunately - but if we timed it right with how his rota falls he could be at home with us for 11 days.
I'm worried that I could go into labour at the 'wrong' time, end up having to have a emcs anyway and then be on my own with a newborn and a 4 year old during recovery.
I know that's just one scenario out of 100s but it's one I'd do anything to avoid.

Is that a crappy reason to put myself through a section?

[YouFightLikeADairyFarmer]

My baby was found to be breech a couple of weeks ago at 37+3 and I was torn between the ECV and the idea of a planned section too - I was booked in for an ECV a week later but it was tempting to cancel and go straight for section just to have a little certainty and less worrying about it!

In the end, when I went for the ECV at 38+3 she'd turned by herself, somehow without me noticing (second baby, she must have plenty of room in there!), so am now waiting for her to make an appearance the regular way.

For me, I decided the ECV was worth a try if I could avoid a c-section - it's more likely to work if you've had a baby before, so the odds are greater than 50% since you already have a child, and the recovery even from a planned section seems a lot harder (and my husband will be at home with me for a few weeks, so I would have been luckier than you in that regard!) You can also stop the ECV at any point if you feel it's too uncomfortable (which I also found reassuring).

It's a toss up, and I completely understand the desire for certainty/the convenience of knowing exactly when your baby will be here (mine would probably already be a week old by now!) - just sharing my own experience and decision making process!

[Merename]

This may not be for you but I did moxibustion to turn my breech baby - my midwife recommended it. It’s Chinese medicine and a bit odd but relaxing if nothing else. Did a fair bit of spinning babies upside down stuff too, even tried standing on my hands in the pool!! Can’t be sure but I felt it was the moxi that made a difference.

[sycamore54321]

@Mummyme87 can you please link to the withdrawal / apology on the breech study you mention? I’m really surprised that I haven’t heard about it before. Especially since the study set the standard of care for breech delivery.

OP I don’t think anybody has yet mentioned the risks of ECV. Please look into these and consider them carefully.

If I were you, I’d definitely opt for C-section. If that really isn’t a preference for you, I’d maybe consider the ECV but no way would I consider a breech delivery. You should also remember that you can only ever choose an attempted vaginal birth and a section is always a possibility.

I understand your concern if you have previous poor response to pain medication. But with a planned section, you have time to request a consultation on pain management in advance and a plan put in place.

Best wishes to you and your baby.

[sycamore54321]

Plus the issue you mention with your partner’s rota is a very valid consideration. Obviously it’s not the primary consideration but it’s a valid and important factor to consider how much support you will have. Honestly, it seems to me that c-section would be a good option for your baby’s safety and allow you to plan for your recovery and pain management.

I really don’t see a compelling case for rolling the dice with the other options.

[Mummyme87]

@sycamore www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/16389006/

There is a lot of publications on this

[Mercedes519]

Another planned section here due to breech. Was on paracetamol when I was discharged and managed the school run (slowly!) on day 4.

But, as a PP has said it’s hard to get it right from the outside. My midwife told me DD was head down but she was footling breech, can‘t get more breech than that. Try not to panic until you know...

[Ejc0309]

@sycamore54321 'rolling the dice' is exactly what it feels like with every option other than a planned section. And I have notoriously bad luck lol!

A vaginal breech birth isn't something I'm even considering to be honest. I make babies with MASSIVE heads which are hard enough to get out the 'normal' way 🤣

I think Iv made my mind up that the csection is the best option, I just need to talk myself into not being absolutely terrified!

[Dinosauratemydaffodils]

C-section recovery really does variety. I've had two emergency sections as dh's family all have massive heads and dc1 managed to wedge himself in such a way that forceps and pushing made zero difference.

I didn't need pain killers post theatre. It just wasn't painful enough especially when compared to the hours of dc1 and dc2 smashing their giant heads into my pelvis/back. With dc2, I was out for lunch 2 days later.

[Ejc0309]

@dinosauratemydaffodils very similar scenario here. Our kids have definitely inherited their huge heads from my other half.
When DS1 was born his head got stuck and forceps couldn't get him out. Luckily their final attempt with the forceps worked, as they were already prepping for me to go for an emergency section.

Its playing on my mind a lot that all roads could lead to an emergency section so I'm thinking why not just plan it and then everything can be calm and controlled (just the way I like them 🤣)

[Dinosauratemydaffodils]

Its playing on my mind a lot that all roads could lead to an emergency section so I'm thinking why not just plan it and then everything can be calm and controlled (just the way I like them 🤣)

That was why I opted for an elective with dc2 whose head was measuring 42 weeks at 36 weeks according to the scan I had. They booked it for 39+1...by which time I was holding the baby. Best laid plans and all! It was a much calmer and controlled experience than dc1 though. Good luck with whatever you decide. Also if it is a section, get them to drop the drape so you can watch them come out. It's amazing.