Freaking out about breech position

[older1sttimer]

Hi folks,

Has anyone out there had a breech birth as I'm freaking out here. Foolishly been looking at the net for the reasons for breech, bad idea.

I'd like to hearn from you. Did everything go ok/baby ok?

There are quite a few useful threads on here, if you do a search for 'breech birth' etc. Someone called 'tangle' had a successful breech birth and has contributed a lot to them. I've read just about everything I can as my baby's breech too (I'm 38+2 now). I was initially tempted to go for a breech birth but have, after a lot of thinking, opted for an elective c-section as I know that I would never forgive myself if something went wrong with a breech birth (it's my first baby, much wanted and tried a long time for). Apparently it's less of an issue going for a breech birth if you've given birth with no trouble before, as you know a whole baby's going to fit through there with no problems!. I too am a bit worried about the reasons for breech and just keeping everything crossed that the baby's OK - most are, I'm just clinging to that. I cried for days about 'giving up' and having a c-section but am coming to terms with it now - it helps that the hospital have let me delay it til 40 weeks as part of me was hoping that the baby might still turn, so that gives it more chance and makes me a bit happier about it. Have you had an ECV, or been offered one? Mine failed but I'm glad I gave it a go.

DD1 was breech. We used IMs and had a planned home breech birth (long story - you'll find it if you search, or I'll expand here). I had about 5 days of latent labour, 1st stage was about 6 hours, 2nd stage about an hour. DD1 now nearly 4 and absolutely fine - as she has been since she came out (even though she decided to come out foot, rather than bum, first - still a contrary so and so). The only thing that went wrong was that I tore through a vein and it wouldn't stop bleeding - cue ambulance to hospital and offer of transfusion (no blue lights, and they weren't too upset when I declined the blood). But she was 9lb 12 and my first - and we were back home that evening and didn't really look back.

One of the reasons we used IMs was because we could make sure we had a MW that was confident and competent in breech birth. She's seen a LOT of breech babies and pointed out that most babies who are breech are absolutely fine - and if there is a problem at least the baby's position has been a head's up for the HCPs.

How far along are you? Breech babies can and do turn by themselves right up to, even during, labour. I know how worrying it can be, though - its just that much more complicated :(

fingers crossed your LO turns and has been breech or no reason other than they didn't fancy standing on their head for 10 weeks solid :o

I'm 37 weeks. I have a scan and external movement thing planned for this afternoon. Not quite sure about that procedure!

I've been searching the net (i know totally foolish) and reading on the reasons for breech. As usual there are a lot of problems with the baby that cause breech, so getting a little worked up about that.

diyqueen - my infamy precedes me!

older - "breech causing problems" don't always result in a breech baby, and baby's aren't always breech because there is an underlying problem. Or the "underlying problem" could be that the cord is short or the placenta is in an awkward position (both of which they ought to be scanning for before they start an ECV). Other than a very obstinate streak, we've yet to find anything even slightly untoward with DD.

Some women find ECV a bit unpleasant but perfectly fine, others aren't so lucky (I'm sure you've read that as well ;) ). Just remember that you can tell them to stop at any point in the proceedings - including before they've even started, if you change your mind. Similarly, if you need time to think you don't have to accept an anesthetists appointment and CS date at this point, assuming your LO is still head up after the ECV this pm (the phrase "thankyou for your advice, we'll consider it and let you know our decision" is a very useful one from Mary Cronk)

We found "Breech Birth" by Benna Waites and "Breech Birth: What are my options" by Jane Evans both very useful and informative when trying to decide what to do - much more so than the registrar we saw.

Fingers crossed for you :)

We'll get a scan first and then we can chat about the chances and what to expect. I'm also now going to stop looking at the internet

thanks for the advice.

hello,
i was carrying a breech baby and decided to refuse the evc ecv? as i felt so sick (bad case of pre-eclampsia) so I opted for the elective caesarian which ended up being an emergency 4 days later. Im so glad i had a c-section but do occasionally feel a failure- dont ask why? it was 6 months ago and was the best thing ever so i wholly recommend it. the recovery wasnt that bad at all once you have stood up and walked for the first time. it was the pre-eclampsia that nearly did me in !!

How did the scan and ECV (if you had one) go? Hope you're OK.

Hi ladies,

Hope you are doing well older1sttimer..

I am also starting to get a little worried as my baby is currently breech at 33 weeks. I know that she still has time to turn, but like others I have been stupid enough to start Googling-

I was born with a dislocated hip at birth, and recently read that babies adopting the breech presention have an increased risk of this defect.. Her risk is also increased because I had it.

My worry, is can they tell from an ultrasound scan if the baby hasn't moved head down due to stubborness or a genuine complication??

I have been doing Yoga regulary and getting on all fours as much as possible- but still no joy..

Any advice anyone?? Like most I would much rather not have to contemplate the option of a c-section..

Ta!

leila - my DD had clicky hips when she was born, which is common in breech babies, particularly girls apparently, but try not to worry about it. They check for this after birth, and the sooner it is picked up the easier it is to treat. DD had to wear a pavlick harness from 2 weeks to 8 weeks but is all fine now. It is not painful for them.

theborrower- Thank-you for the reassurance. I know a dislocated hip isn't that serious..I was one of the unlucky babies that had to be in a leg cast for 6 months! As you say though, normally a harness for a few weeks does the job..

I am just worrying- Hopefully she will turn soon, more watching tv on all fours for me then!

Leila - they'll be able to check for some things with a scan. If the baby's in a good position they'll be able to see where the placenta is, how long the cord is and how the cord is lying (I've a friend who's baby was breech and they wouldn't attempt an ECV as they couldn't see where the cord was and didn't want to do damage). They may also be able to spot some of the other less common complications that are slightly more common in breech babies. But there are also genuine complications that won't show up on a scan, or that won't show up on a scan because of the baby's position.

If you're worried about hip dysplasia then push for a scan at 6 weeks regardless of whether your DD turns. You've got the family history and she's stayed breech longer than average so, to me (for what that's worth...) you've got a better reason than most. At the very minimum get them to have a VERY good look at the newborn check.

If it does happen, I've seen it suggested (in fact one lady had a consultant that was very enthusiastic) that using a wrap sling or similar to carry a baby in a "frog-leg" position does as good a job as a pavlick harness for keeping the femur deep in the hip socket. Might not work for you, or might not work all the time - but it might make some situations easier :)

sorry if this has been suggested before but have heard great things about the webster technique for turning breech babies. Chiropractors do it with great results apparently and have heard it is less invasive than ECV.