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Pregnancy

Breech baby at 26 weeks. Cause for concern? Techniques for turning?

23 replies

ovumahead · 10/06/2015 19:23

As the title says really... Scan today due to repeated small bleeds over the last several weeks
Sonographer noted a breech presentation, then the consultant started discussing procedures to turn the baby at 37 weeks and if not, a cesarean
Thought that she seemed a bit ahead of herself as I'd assumed babies were so mobile at this stage, with heaps of space,so positioning wouldnt be a fondern?
I really would like to avoid a cesarean as wanted to vbac
Consultant said no chance of a breech vbac! (didn't point out I'm planning a home birth...)

Just wondering if anyone has any advice, pearls of wisdom? Particularly around things I can do to ensure good positioning at the right time...?

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ovumahead · 10/06/2015 19:23

Fondern = problem

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Roseybee10 · 10/06/2015 19:26

Dd2 was transverse until 26 weeks then she flipped head down. Had my home birth no bother.
Hope baby turns for you x

Roseybee10 · 10/06/2015 19:26

Position wise have a look at the spinning babies website x

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 10/06/2015 19:29

Do you mean 36 weeks? 26 is very early to talk of turning I would've thought.
There are procedures they can offer you to turn the baby but they do carry risks, so please research if you go for this

ConcreteElephant · 10/06/2015 19:36

The Spinning Babies website is one that I have seen recommended consistently over the years.

Before I was induced with DD I was scanned as there was concern she was breech - she just had a very bony bottom sticking up under my ribs but no midwife was fully confident at that point that it wasn't her head!

This had been the case for a few weeks prior to her birth. I was told to scrub skirting boards (!), sit upright don't slouch on the sofa, 'rest' on my knees leaning over a gym ball if just watching TV - basically good upright posture.

I'd think 26 weeks gives you ample time to turn baby or research your options. Some babies turn last minute of course. I would be wary of and research what external manipulation of baby's position could do for baby's health - there are some horror stories I'm afraid. Not to frighten you but it's important to be armed with some knowledge I think. Personally I'd rather a c-section than a failed attempt to turn my baby, which could impact their health and a safe delivery.

Good luck!

ConcreteElephant · 10/06/2015 19:36

X-posts with faster typists!

Athenaviolet · 10/06/2015 19:39

At my 28wk appointment the midwife marked down 'breech' for presentation. I thought to myself it was a bit early to be thinking like that!

I'm booked for a hb. I really don't know what I'd do if it stays like that.

SouthBySouthWest · 10/06/2015 19:41

DS2 was transverse till about 35 weeks. I Googled all the spinning babies stuff, but he turned by himself before a spontaneous labour at 39+2. Everything was fine.

I would be very wary of ECV if yours is still breech by 37wks. Too many horror stories. If mine had still been transverse, I would have gone for an elective c section, despite me wanting to avoid that with a passion!

kavv0809 · 10/06/2015 19:45

Dd was breech at 39 weeks. We were told there was no way she would turn. She was a footling breech with one foot down. I went in for planned c section, was on the trolley waiting to be wheeled to theatre when they scanned me and she had turned. Ended up giving birth naturally at 42 weeks.

They are little monkeys but they do turn, 26 weeks is still early. And I refused the manual turning procedure. It seemed likely to be painful with no guarantee it would work or that the baby wouldn't turn back to being breech after it had been turned. Just my thoughts though, I know others for whom it worked well. Good luck OP.

ovumahead · 10/06/2015 19:45

Yes I do mean 26 weeks! Ridiculously early isn't it?!

I did ask the consultant if I could refuse an ECV and she said no! I don't think they could force me to have a medical procedure without consent, I'd fight it, and would definitely take a cesarean over ECV as have also heard horror stories.

Grrr medics!

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kavv0809 · 10/06/2015 19:49

You most certainly can refuse ECV. We even discussed giving birth naturally whilst she was breech. Not the standard option but it can be done apparently.

HSMMaCM · 10/06/2015 19:52

DD was breech at 34 weeks and turned without me doing anything.

ConcreteElephant · 10/06/2015 19:54

You absolutely can refuse ECV - your consultant is talking nonsense there!

MuddyWellyNelly · 10/06/2015 20:33

Another who is horrified at you being told you can't turn down an ECV. You can turn down any medical intervention you want. You might not want to in many cases of course, but I'd be physically fighting off anyone trying to turn my baby manually - despite also wanting to avoid a CS. I'm 33 weeks with a breech though. You've still got loads of time.

Sparrowlegs248 · 10/06/2015 21:18

32+4 with a breech baby atm. It did almost turn last night so am hoping it will have another go. I too will be refusing ECV. Not keen on a c section but rather that over an ecv any day!

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 10/06/2015 21:26

DS was breech until 35 weeks - this was last year, and no one seemed bothered, that's why I was surprised at 26 weeks having intervention mentioned. I guess all midwives differ. I ended up with an emcs anyway so it was irrelevant in the end!

VivaLeBeaver · 10/06/2015 21:30

10 weeks too early to worry.

I always thought prev lscs was a contraindication to ecv. It is where I work.

You can certainly refuse an ecv. It would be assault if they did it and you'd refused. There are risks to an ecv and women do decline them.

ARV1981 · 10/06/2015 22:32

I was born breech. Mum was fine, I'm fine... I don't get the issue to be honest, but perhaps that's my naivete.

Good luck, though chances are, your baby will turn into the right position before long.

ovumahead · 11/06/2015 05:43

Thanks so much everyone! The spinning babies site is great

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NatalieBee · 12/06/2015 18:09

Yesterday I had a scan for reduced movements and baby was breech, went today for normal 28 growth scan and baby was head down :) Consultant told me there's still lots of room for baby to move around! You may find she moves by herself :)

ovumahead · 12/06/2015 20:34

Thanks !I'm sure she will. Bonkers to even worry about it now.

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WinterOfOurDiscountTents15 · 12/06/2015 21:57

This is at least the second thread on this this week, and makes no sense. At 26 weeks it can be in any and all positions, and can turn constantly. You have 10 weeks until you even need to think about the position.
Calling it breech at this point is just meaningless.

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ovumahead · 13/06/2015 07:59

Yes that's what I thought! Seems bonkers of the consultant to even make a big deal out of it. If I didn't know any better it could have made me quite anxious.

However it has prompted me to explore the spinning babies website which is very useful, although appallingly written, definitely in need of a good copy editor!

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