I think MW is wrong about position

[Thornykate]

I had 36wk appt today & regular MW was off so it was a different one. On my last appt. (34wk) the MW palpated & told me baby was head down which surprised me as I definitely hadn't felt baby turn. LO & behold as she moved the Doppler to find fhb she realised baby was still breech.

The mw today did everything really fast & I am not convinced baby has turned yet, also is it normal to not be seen for 3 wks now I thought it was fortnightly at end of pg?

Feel like booking private appt somewhere but is this even an option?

Hi - MW can be wrong about babies position - either way - mine kept saying my baby was breech and he wasn't - needed a scan to confirm - I would try and ring your regular midwife and discuss opitions

I understood that doppler's aren't a very reliable method of determining the baby's position, so I'd put more emphasis on the palpation than on the doppler findings in that regard.

Did you mention to today's MW that you were concerned about position? Does your GP do much antenatal care?

You may have been told to book an appointment in 3 weeks, but you can book one sooner if you feel its necessary. If your MW is very overstretched and has no space then you can make an appointment with your GP (although appreciate that may have different value in different areas - around here its quite a good option as we have shared care so the GP's are quite up to speed on antenatal stuff and palpate regularly). If neither of those is practical, call the hospital - there should be a number for the day assessment unit, and they should be able to fit you in and/or advise you. Alternatively, you could look for an Independent Midwife local to you and see if they'd do a one off appointment (would probably cost about £50).

Ultimately, though, the only way to know for sure what position the baby is in is to do a scan. For that you'll either need to get the hospital on board (which could happen through your GP, your MW, an IM or calling them direct - although they'd probably need to share your concern before getting a sonographer in) or by paying for a private scan (around here that would cost nearer £80).

Thank-you for your replies.

Yes I mentioned that I still hadn't felt baby turn, had only felt her shift from one side to the other & later back again. todays MW did exactly the same as my regular MW did last time; she said well I can feel the head.

It was after using the Doppler low down that regular MW palpated again & realised baby was still breech as the fhb was clearer the higher up my abdomen she moved it.

Today the MW just put the Doppler in the middle of the right side of my abdomen ( where baby always sits!) & only had it on for a few seconds.

I think there might be a regular MW drop in at the local sure start on a wednesday so I will look into that. In the meantime I am going to look into private scans. I would be happy to be proved wrong as it would be worth the money not to spend the next month worrying about undiagnosed breech.

I have no doubt that the MW I saw today is v efficient as it was the first appt I have attended that has been on time but it felt so rushed & I am a pretty low maintenance patient but left there feeling decidedly unconfident about the care.

Next gp appt is 8 days away so I didn't bother making it, the gps don't seem to be involved in antenatal at this practice but I wanted to see if I could get something for piles, according to today's MW I can only have cream during pg but I know my friend got suppositories?

hi, check this out www.spinningbabies.com -- it might help you determine the baby's position. if you are worried, definitely go for a private scan... i think it is totally worth as they also check amniotic fluid around the baby / tell you how well the placenta functions, as well as baby growth progress, etc... good luck!

Thanks Lilly.

I went on spinning babies a while ago & just revisited it following your link. Everything feels the same as always; big lump in bottom right of abdomen, most movements bottom left area with some movements lop left but these have always been not as strong so I have assumed they are hands not legs!

TBH there doesn't feel like there is all that much room for manouvre in there anymore & my stomach muscles are always pretty tight.

Anyway I have booked for a private reassurance scan which I am quite looking forward to- I am happy to be wring about baby being breech, it will just be nice to be reassured that all is well :)

Also ordered a group b strep test as I think that us £32 well spent too.

Thanks again & I will report back next week post scan, probably after moaning about the MW!

Wrong not wring sorry

I think its a bit strange that they won't scan you if you think baby is breech, as the optimal window for ecv (if you want that) is about 2 weeks, 36-38 weeks, so its fairly important tbh.

I appreciate that you will enjoy a reassurance scan, but you shouldn't have to pay for that privately. A lot of midwives can use an ultrasound machine and there is one in most labour wards, so it would take someone about 30 seconds to do a quick position scan, and put your mind at rest.

If I'm in any doubt about position of a baby, I will scan my patients to double check. Just seems slightly sub par care I think. You could call them and ask if you can have a quick scan to check position as you think its breech and would be keen for ecv if it is, hopefully that would get you a free hospital scan.

Probably about right to see you in 3 weeks if you are sharing care with your GP also.

Thanks for the input mint. I think my regular MW would have done but then again I think she would have taken a bit more time palpating too (I was on & off the bed in seconds!) she is lovely & v thorough but on hold this week.

They are v nice at the mat unit but I would feel a bit wrong asking for scan when I have been seen today & been told baby is head down. I know it's not v assertive but after today I will be glad to pay if it means a non rushed appointment where I don't have to feel like I am apologising for taking up their time if that makes sense?

Wish it had been you taking the clinic today though ;)

Definately question it I found out at 36 weeks baby is breech as its the first time my midwife palpated at all was confirmed by scan which i only got cos I was off work for a week otherwise she wouldnt have bothered, even the student MW who examined me at the hospital told me instantly it was a head up top. This Despite the fact ive been saying I dont get many big movements and have a solid lump between my ribs which is uncomfy. She just kept telling me the baby must be head down cos of where the heart beat is picking up. I know they wouldnt have tried to turn baby earlier but I could have been trying all this kneeling etc to turn her earlier. Now think she's pretty much stuck. Feeling pretty disappointed by midwife now.

Had a lovely scan today & am pleased to report that baby is head down but she is laying diagonally hence why all movements are low down & I am not getting the feet under my ribcage kicks that I had with the other 3.

Am so glad I went for this as I would have been worrying about it for the next few weeks.

Now I can relax & hope for a normal straightforward delivery as per last 2 :)

PS hope your LO turns soon scaryfairy

I would make an appt, go and see your regular mw to be sure. DS turned at 34/35 weeks and it wasn't a sensation I wouldn't have noticed!

I hope so too booked for ECV on Thursday at 38weeks as nothing else is working.