Breech birth

wow! thank you for all your advice, as you all say i am only 30 weeks so hopefully my baby will turn around, if not then i will ask my hospital what they normally do as i have read a few people said that some hospitals rarely do vaginal births with breech babies anymore, if this is the case with my hospital - i think i will do what they have had more practice at!!!
back on all fours i think...
thank you :>

hi i am thirty weeks to and it's my second and my first was across ways even at 37 weeks and he moved head down i think that they freek you out talking to you about cecarens at thirty weeks this one is constaly moving you have loads of time and dont be pushed into having a cecaren it's much easer for the hospital they can book you in and it's all straight foward if you try and calm down and think that the baby had so much room still in there it will move a few times before it decides to go head down so dont panic

As everyone else has said, your baby may yet turn round. Ds was a footling breech and I had a c-section, and we were both fine. I was up the next day and walking round in better shape than some of the mothers who had a normal delivery. Try not to worry (easier said than done I know )

The only problem with Stargazer is that it assumes you're giving birth on your back which is, of course, not recommended. It's accurate for my DS1 anyway It was the OP phrase I couldn't remember.

I do remember my GP glancing at my notes and saying how it was one of the more painful ways too go through labour. I'd not heard anything about it before that point.

Mine was called that too susanmt!

Soupdragon - they told me my dd was 'face-to-pubes'!!! Stargazer sounds so much nicer. She was technically OP (Occiput-Posterior) and it was a nasty back labour.

I whole heartedly agree with Mears.
Also had an episio... it wasn't a horrid experience (I wish I hadn't needed one but that's a different issue).

A lot of MW recommend accupuncture as well if you are really worried (about the breech).... try it later in pregnancy - as Mears said it is quite common at 30 weeks.

Keep us posted!

It is not uncommon for a baby to be lying breech at 30 weeks. There is still plenty of time for the baby to become head down. If the baby is still breech around 37 weeks then there are various options. You might be offered external cephalic version (ECV) which involves the doctor turning the baby at a clinic. Some hospitals recommend elective caesarean section ( ours does). Some are willing to allow a vaginal birth if all else is OK. The most recent evidence suggests that breech babies should be delivered by caesarean but there are criticisms of that study itself.
Hopefully your baby will turn and you won't need to wory.

By the way, I have had 2 episiotomies with absolutely no problems at all. Everyone is different. Try not to get anxious over other peolpe's experiences.

Spend as much time as you can on all fours. A friend did this and her breech baby turned at about 37 weeks I think. It was, she tells me, rather uncomfortable when he did! I used a large inflatable ball to lean over to watch TV to get DS2 to turn out of a "star gazer" position (can't remember the technical term, it's when they're born face up)

Good luck!

Mammyshirl, my second baby was breech until nearly 38 weeks, so there is hope for you yet!
Don't get stressed. Go to classes and learn all you can about how to cope with labour.
Good luck with your last trimester.

I am 30 weeks pregant with my first baby and my doctor has told me the baby is in a breech position!

Every night I watch tv with my bum in the air trying to make it turn around, can you tell me if its quitw common for babies to lie breech and then turn around?

My baby moves round and pushes out constantly, Im worried they are uncomfortable and thats why they are in breech, does this cause them distress?

I am already scared of giving birth and now im even more nervous. I have read the above emails and the word episiotomy gives me the shivers!!! Do you ever feel the same after this is done?

I went into labour on my due date, the same day I was booked for a scan to check the position of the baby - the midwives just could not tell! We discovered he was extended breech and were advised to go for a c-section.

However, my consultant was all for my attempting a vaginal delivery on the agreement that they'd perform a c-section if there were problems. As someone committed to having a natural birth I was in heaven!

I was fortunate in having a very rapid labour for a first timer - about 5 hours, and got through it with only a TENS machine (which, because of everything that was happening, didn't get strapped on til I was 5cm dilated). Yes, I had to have an episiotomy, but avoided the forceps and it was a small price to pay - a fantastic team at the Royal Surrey in Guildford ensured I had the birth experience I wanted as much as possible and they all worked beyond their shifts to get the baby out.

It's hard to say if breech is more painful than normal - for me, it didn't feel like 'pain' as such (presumably helped by the fact that, for a breech, the baby was very well positioned and came out bum first) and the worst part was getting his head out. I admit that I did scream at that point, but anyone having a natural birth has to go through the same thing- for some it just happens at the end instead of the beginning! And twelve weeks on I would still do it again!

Natural breech deliveries are becoming much rarer - my attending midwife is head of the unit and had only been present at one before. There is definitely a trend to go for c-sections and avoid potential problems. I think it really does depend upon the hospital and the confidence of the staff - we were incredibly lucky to have the right people around us!

One other thing - a few weeks after he was born, I discovered a lump on one side of my baby's neck - a check with a specialist showed that it was a torn muscle caused by the force of pulling him out at birth. Not a serious injury nor is it permanent - exercise will solve it - but it's worth being aware that this is not uncommon in breech deliveries.

Good luck to anyone faced with breech babies - whatever feels right for you is right for you.

Monty at our maternity units they do ECVs every Wednesday so it is a regular procedure. It is successful in 50% of the times (in our unit) and is done by a consultant.
If it fails they do allow women who they feel could have an uncomplicated birth to go the vaginal route... (I think second times mum for example who have already had a vaginal birth will find it far easier).
I believe they would put you in stirrups at the end as it ensures that your pelvis is wide open for pushing... and (this needs to be checked) they may get you ready for an epidural in case you do need a section... NOT SURE about that.

Personnally I'd try turning with accupuncture. Even consultants in our units recommend it as it can be very successful !

Let us know what you decide and how it went...

Good luck !

Hi Monty

I had ECV to turn my baby, it didn't hurt and my baby stayed head down. The procedure is carried out after an ultrasound scan to check on where the baby, cord and placenta are, you and baby would be monitored before and after for any signs of distress. I didn't have any drugs and the Consultant gently put his hands on baby's and helped her move around, it really was gentle - I think she liked him!!

If you go into labour with a breech baby and baby stays that way they will want to carry out an episiotomy The sad thing is that M/Ws are losing the skill of helping women birth breech babies because so many of them are
born by c/s, and given the choice between birthing a breech baby with a M/W who lacks those skills I believe that a c/s is the safer option. Another alternative would be to hire an Independent Midwife who is skilled at helping breech babies to be born vaginally.

There are risks involved with ECV but these are mainly associate with when the procedure is attempted before 37 wks p/g and when the placenta is anterior (on the back of the womb). The risks other than that do seem to be small, the main one being that you could go into labour and may then need a c/s.

I was not prepared to try and birth my breech baby with an episiotomy and M/Ws unskilled at breech births. The way I saw it was I could have ECV and potentially still have my vaginal birth or I could have ECV and end up with
a c/s which I was heading for anyway - it was pretty clear cut for me.

You could ask to speak to the person who would carry out the ECV - ask them about their success rate - it does vary depending on the skill and experience of the Obstetrician.

HTH
and yes as someone suggested stick your b*m up in the air and encourage baby around too! Look up the information on Optimal Foetal Positioning.

Monty -It is now recommended by the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists that women with uncomplicated breech babies at term should be offered ECV - external cephalic version to avoid C/S if at all possible. It may be performed under ultrasound guidance, often after medication has been given to relax the uterus. The debate about C/S is a major one. You have to be guided by the medical team looking after you. As a midwife I would recommend having this procedure when offered if it means the chance of avoiding an unnecessary section. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Paula, when I was pg with dd 3 yrs ago the midwives were sure she was breech, so at 36 weeks I was sent up to the hospital to discuss the possiblility of turning the baby - with an active 2 y.o. at home I wanted to avoid a cs if at all possible. So in Cambridge 3 yrs ago they were certainly still trying to turn breech babies, although I got the impression that it depended on the consultant - at the Rosie at that time they had a consultant who would try it. I was told that there were some risks of triggering labour prematurely, and that it would hurt (but as I'd already been through labour and childbirth once before I wasn't so worried about that!)

In the end it was all unecessary, they did a quick ultrasound before I went in to see the consultant and dd was very firmly head down - seems that the midwife had been feeling a very muscular little bottom and thinking it was a head .

I had the opposite experience to lambchops. I had an emergency c-section with my first (granted it was after 40 hours of labor) and found that I was incapacitated for weeks. It really took me months to feel that I could do normal things with my body (like lift heavy things and exercise). This time I had a vaginal birth with some nasty tearing and a major blood loss. I found that within a week I was more or less back to normal and altogether the recovery period was far less than with the c-section. However, I am told that an elective c-section is much less traumatic on the body. And if you can't turn the baby you may not have the choice anyway.

Just read more of this thread. Caznay, Christ! Poor you. Just to add that even the day after my c/section I felt better than I had after my first, a ventouse delivery.

Lambchops, this was my experience too. My c/section was heaven compared to a bad tear with ds1.

dear Monty,
Thought I would tell you a little of my story. I had an 'undiagnosed' breech. I kept telling everyone from 32w on that it was breech but no-one would believe me. I had an extremely fast labour and ended up with a crash section when I was fully dilated and already pushing the breech out. I am so glad. It turned out that the cord was 3 times around her neck. She would have inevitably died if I had not had the section. This is completely different from your case but I am working up to say that the section involved no trauma on my part whatsoever. I was up and about and back to my very physical job within 2 weeks. 18 months later I had a normal delivery, no analgesia but I did have an episiotomy. 6 weeks later I was still in agony, shocked and bruised, still unable to pee or poo painlessly. In my mind there is no doubt that a CS is less traumatic for the mother, and certainly in my case was the only way for my baby.
Don't be frightened of a CS if one is recommended, my experience of CS was also very positive.
Best wishes for a good experience

Monty, I had a breech baby by elective c-section, excellent experience, would recommend it. I was 'born' breech any my mum definitely does not recommend this. I thought that they didn't turn breech babies, at my hospital they told me that they had stopped doing it years ago. My mums sister had a breech baby that they tried to turn at 38 weeks (in Australia at least 35 years ago so techniques are different I'm sure), but had the very, very unfortunate results of the cord strangling the baby. Not trying to scare you, but have you asked how they do the procedure, how often they do it, what their success rate is etc...

I had a c section for the my eldest ds,now 9 who was breach,the hospital ,Norwich, were fantastic letting me go into labour normally etc but I did end up with a ceaser,it was a great experience ;calm,relaxed, the staff were very supportive and I have very fond memories of the whole thing,the important thing was that we had discussed what would happen if I had a section just as you would for a normal birth and all our wishes were followed right down to the music.
Incidentally I subsequently had two normal deliveries.

Monty same happened to me at exactly 37 weeks.

My midwife suggested go on all fours, with your bottom pushed up into the air, head near the floor. I did this LOADS, funny position to watch telly in, but it worked for me! Good luck, let us know how you go.

Monty, I had a cs for medical reasons. You have to make the decision that is right for you, and I had no options at all, but I had a very positive experience of cs. I had a lovely doctor, nice guy who did the spinal block etc. I was a little nervous, but there was no pain, he was delivered on to me, and my dh and I held him and it was beautiful. The first couple of days are uncomfortable and a bit immobilising (though could pick up ds) but within a week I felt fine and within two I was back to normal, driving and everything. This is just my experience but a cs doesn't have to be a bad thing at all. I'd do it again! Good luck with whatever you choose.

not personally but I had a friend who was offered this and took it, but the baby turned again and she had to have caesarian in the end