37 weeks breech baby not engaged - confused/scared mum

[eggcup]

Hi has anyone had experience of a breech or transverse baby not being engaged this late? The hospital is really scaring me saying that if the waters break the cord could prolapse so they want me in for a c-section. My first pregnancy went to 42 weeks with no signs of labour or baby engaging before they did a section. 37 weeks just seems so early - any advice please?!

I thought it was quite common for multigravida babies to turn late, hang on a minute, will find a link.
You read stories about the little blighters turning in labour, too.

Hmm.. sorry, can't find a quick link & can't pretend to be perfectly knowledgeable. But I did read (long ago?) that breech in second+ pregnancies had a very high chance of turning before actual birth.
This might be useful reading.

Thanks ragged.
I have the added complication of a heart shaped uterus, so apparently baby doesn't have the room to turn! I'm kind of resigned to having to have another CS, but I just don't want it to be too early..

I had my twins at 37 weeks by planned c-section. I'd have liked to have gone a tiny bit longer with them, but really they were fine and are now bouncing with health, huge and right up there at the top of their class.

In honesty they could have done with a tiny bit more practice sucking before birth but other than a few initial feeding wobbles, they are absolutely fine.

So if you do have to go ahead this early remember 37+1 isn't even considered prem...

seems like it depends on which hospital then! thanks for the posts schmee and QT, it just helps to talk it over... so much conflicting info out there!

My lower twin was transverse and I was admitted at 34 weeks for risk of cord prolapse. I had them by ELCS at 36+0 and they were absolutely fine.

Hi eggcup. I think that you are not considered "prem" from 38 weeks. As in it is 'full term" at 38 weeks IYKWIM. In which case you would only be a few days early.
Try not to worry.

Good luck!

thanks everyone, I am feeling better about having baby a bit earlier than expected, it seems it's not uncommon and babies cope pretty well with it :)

DS wasn't engaged at 38 weeks, was 1/5 engaged at 39+6 weeks and by 40+4 he was so deeply engaged the mw wasn't sure if he was breach; she could feel something that wasn't head just above my pelvis but wasn't sure if it was feet or shoulders so sent me for another scan to check. Mind you, he didn't put in appearance until 42 weeks...

DD was footling breech and I went into labour at 37 weeks so had to have an emergency section then. She was/is absolutely fine. Having said that, I wasn't booked in for a section until 39 weeks.

Also, I did have a cord prolapse. I was already in the hospital (where they'd put me in the ante-natal ward and told me 'nothing much' was happening) when my waters went. As someone else said - if you go into labour get yourself to hospital sharpish!

Hi what about an ECV (external cepahlic version) when they turn the baby for you. Its a bit uncomfortable and 40% will turn back but its worth a try. You could have a nice normal delivery. Just ask you midwife to refer you to the consultant. :)

ECV isn't recommended if you've had a previous section due to the risk of uterine rupture.

Hi OP, hope you're doing ok. I have a similar problem as your heart-shaped uterus - I have an amniotic band or septum blocking off part of my uterus. Baby is breech at 34 wks and hasn't really moved much apart from the usual lovely wriggling, so I really don't think he's going to have room to turn. Midwife said my tummy feels really tight.

It looks like either a C-section or vaginally delivering a breech baby for me

I was really hoping for a vaginal birth at the lovely local MLU, but I'm not keen on vaginally delivering a breech baby!

I'm a bit scared of the ECV procedure too - I'm thinking I'll just go for the C-section. I'm also hoping it won't have to be early.

Fingers crossed for you OP!