Oh cr*p - breech at 38 weeks, what now?

[Backgammon]

Just seen my m/f, after my 37 week appt when the position was recorded as head down and fully engaged my m/w now thinks baby is breech.

She got the Dr to check and he thinks so too - she's trying to get hold of the hospital where I'm having the baby (not my local one) to refer me to a consultant.

Apparently they asked if I wanted it to be turned, but she thinks it is engaged even though it's the wrong way round, so this might not be possible. Is a c-section the only likely outcome?

[CantSleepWontSleep]

How can it be engaged if it's breech. That doesn't make sense.

[mountaingirl]

I had a normal delivery but that was in France. Good luck! I hope they are going to scan you before doing anything.

[Backgammon]

I know csws, I didn't understand that either. I guess she means it's bottom is engaged. Trying to get a scan for tomorrow..

[CantSleepWontSleep]

Well best of luck.
I do know a couple of people whose babies have turned naturally after 38 weeks.
Am hoping mine decides to some time soon (only 31 weeks, so still apparently plenty of time).

[Backgammon]

I'm hoping they've mad a mistake and it's not breech. Got to wait to see if they can scan me tomorrow now.

I have been seeing an acupuncturist during my pregnancy - I wonder if it's worth giving him a call.

[greenlawn]

My ds2 turned 10 days before due date! He was a big boy, over 9 and a half lbs, and I definitely felt when he turned for good.

I couldn't have ecv due to having a previous cs, but was very pleased he turned on his own and went on to have a normal delivery. Have you tried the exercises? (generally on all fours bum in the air?)

Good luck!

[hedgepig]

hi Backgammon when you get the scan (hopefully tomorrow) and if the LO is a breech, if you want a vaginal delivery you need to find out where the feet are . There are 3 types of breech footling (feet/foot down into the pelvis), frank (legs straight up) and complete breech (legs above the bottom and bent at the knee). The frank breech is the most likely to deliver and the footling least likely (cos the feet can go through the cervix before it is fully dilated and then there is no pressure to dilate the cervix further.) Google Mary Cronk + breech she is a very experienced MW who has written some very interesting things on breech delivery.

[Tangle]

DD was breech from about 28 weeks, never turned and was born as a vaginal breech birth at home with IMs.

There isn't any research that I know of comparing the safety of vaginal breech birth (very hands off) with either vaginal breech delivery (very medicalised) or CS. Annecdotally, the safety of a vaginal breech birth lies in the skill of the midwife.

The two most common stumbling blocks to vaginal breech birth with the NHS are being sent to see consultants (who are surgeons that have most likely never even seen a vaginal breech birth) and trying to find midwives skilled in vaginal breech birth (sadly getting hard to find as all women confirmed breech get packaged off to consultants...). Which was one big reason why we went independent.

Seeing the accupuncturist definitely won't do any harm, so give them a call. You could also look for a chiropractor skilled in the Webster technique (although if your baby has only just turned I think that's less likely to be useful). Shining lights, playing music or getting Dad to talk where you want the head to be are all rumoured to help (honest ), as is sitting in a warm bath with a pack of frozen peas on top of your bump. Postural inversion is another one - either all fours/bum in air, kneeling at the top of the steps with hands a couple lower (get a partner to support you), lying on your back on an ironing board propped against the sofa or doing handstands in the swimming pool.

At the end of the day there are invariably options, but they may not be easy and it depends how strongly you feel. If baby is definitely breech and you're sure you don't want a CS, talk to the head of midwifery (they should have a much better idea of their breech birth skills than the consultants) and/or start talking to IMs. If you can find it, "Breech Birth" by Benna Waites is a very informative book, as is "Breech Birth: What are my options" by Jane Evans.

All that said, fingers crossed they've got it wrong and baby's head down

[Backgammon]

Thanks everyone.

Tangle - my acupuncturist is a chiropractic DC as well, I will give him a call in the morning and see what he says.

Not sure I'm confident about a natural delivery if it's breech. That said, I need to find out more about c-section recovery I think.

[TinySocks]

I wouldn't take any chances if the baby is breech.

[Tangle]

Can you put your finger on what worries you in particular? I found there was an awful lot of misinformation about what the dangers of a vaginal breech are.

Oh - and google Mary Cronk.

Fingers crossed your acupuncturist can squeeze you in

[MrsJamin]

I was diagnosed breech at 38 wks, didn't get a scan until 39 wks (as over christmas), had an ECV but it didn't work and was incredibly painful, booked in a c-section but waters broke early and had a c-section 3 hours later.

It's not the end of the world if you have a breech baby - it's nothing to do with the baby's health, it just has implications for the birth (important to count your blessings I think).

I didn't want to risk a vaginal birth (when I was deciding what to do after the ECV) as I didn't believe the hospital had the know-how to support one safely. It was obvious they were nervous about me saying I wanted a vaginal birth and so I would have had to be very determined in order to go ahead, as I had to be confident in their skills. You need to make the decision given what you know about the midwives/consultants at your chosen place of birth.

[FoghornLeghorn]

Did you get a scan booked Backgammon ?
I'm 38 weeks too and mw thinks my baby is breach, I have a scan on Thursday so see for definite. If it is the options are elective c-section or ECV, I don't think my hospital will allow natural breach deliveries and tbh I'm not at all keen on the idea, although C-section recovery will be a complete nightmare with 2 other DD's.

I hope you have a scan arranged and find the baby is the right way afterall

[sambrads]

hi ladies just reading up on your thread i to think my baby is breech as i am getting alot of kicking in my pelvis . some days i feel like she is coming out of my ribs

at 29 weeks doc said she was breech i had a scan a week later and mw said se was head down .

mw said that if a baby is head down then breech then head down that there is more of a chance your baby will turn the right way. but if your baby has been breech from 28 weeks then there is small chance of turning.

the doc also said it had something to do with were the heartbeat is as he could not find the heart beat in the usual place and was found just under my boob!!!

[RicePuddingwithApricotJam]

I am 37 weeks and baby is breech - still have my fingers crossed. Google spinning babies for a whole lot of techniques encouraging babies to turn. I have also tried hypnosis and asking the baby what he/she needs to turn.

[SnotBaby]

Blimey, this thread is ancient!