Reassurance needed - Looks like I'm heading for a second breech baby

[amyboo]

DS1, born in march 2010, was breech from the start and although he kicked a lot he never seemed to move around much. I tried an ECV at 37 weeks which was unsuccessful as his feet were firmly stuck by my bladder. I also tried pretty much every recommendation on spinningbabies.com from about 30 weeks onwards, including lots of swimming (and handstands in the pool!), hanging upside down etc etc. DS1 ended up being an ELCS at 39 weeks.

I'm now 31 weeks with DS2 and he looks like being exactly the same. He's currently breech, with his head under my ribs on the left and his feet by my bladder - exactly the same position as DS1!

I guess I'm wondering if anyone else has been in a similar situation? It's seems crazy to have two breech babies in a row, so I'm beginning to wonder if there might be a reason. My gynaecologist has never mentioned anything, so I don't think it's to do with the shape of my uterus... At my antenatal class yesterday the physio suggested it could be to do with my pelvis (?). I'm also a bit concerned that if I have another ELCS, I'll never end up having a "normal" childbirth. DH and I plan on having at least 3 kids, so I guess I'll have another go at a VBAC, but it just feels like an impossible dream at the moment.

Sigh.

I have been in a similar position to you.

DC1 was breech, had him turned by ECV at 38 weeks. It was successful (but a bloody painful and long experience to actually turn him) but he was born by EMCS in the end due to foetal distress and my failure to progress - turns out his cord was wrapped around his neck and legs.

I am pg again, and baby was breech until 32 weeks. Then all of a sudden I was out one day and felt the most incredible wallop in my middle and I wondered if it had turned. I was told that it had at my midwife appointment, and it is still head down (I am 35 weeks).

I know that people say all the time 'they can still turn'. I didnt think that this baby would turn, given how firmly wedged DC1 was, but it did.

They've already said they won't try ECV again and to be honest, I wouldn't do it again anyway, as I found it quite painful last time, and DH eas horrified by the whole thing! I don't think they'd be keen for a breech VBAC either - i'm in Belgium and they don't really encourage breech births full stop. I'll talk to my gynaecologist after my 32 week scan next week, but I guess I was just wondering if there could be a specicif reason why someone might have multiple breech babies.... Sigh.

I have had 2 ELCS, for breech and transverse babies. Now 33 weeks with no 3 and was transverse until 3 days ago, when it turned- fully expecting it to turn back though! Will still have ELCS as planned. Might well be something to do with pelvis or ligaments. I actually feel a lot less bothered about having a csection this time, was really disappointed the other 2 times. I was booked in for home birth with no 1 and vbac with no 2. I guess it's just the wa things turn out sometimes.

Not sure I've got anything useful to add, but I will join you with the . 36 weeks today, and I'm sitting here with DD2's little round head stuck under my right ribs - just like with DD1. Like you, I tried the (very painful) ECV last time, and all the 'good positioning' stuff, but nothing shifted her, and I can't see this one moving either.

I've also been wondering what the problem is - is it just rotten luck? a funny-shaped uterus/pelvis? my posture? Have read that breech babies can run in families, but don't know of any others in mine. I suppose it's just 'one of those things'. Looking on the bright side, my ELCS was a good experience last time, so fingers crossed it all goes just as well this time round.

Good luck for your scan.

There's a good article on breech birth here by a very experienced midwife who's delivered 100s of breech babies. She says about reasons for the baby being breech (this is directly copied from her article):

If the pregnancy has reached term we still need to consider whether there is any reason why this baby is presenting by the breech. Placenta praevia is a possibility. Women with this condition do not always bleed antenatally, and this possibility is an occasion where selective ultrasound is of considerable value, as it can identify a placenta praevia, or other objects in the pelvis, such as fibroids or ovarian cysts which would make caesarean section advisable. There may be a bi-cornuate uterus - a uterus which is divided. This condition does not necessarily exclude a vaginal birth, it will depend on the degree.

A midwife will also be considering whether the baby has a problem. Fetal anomalies such as hydrocephaly and conditions involving generalised laxity, for example, brittle bone disease, can lead to a breech presentation and these conditions should be excluded if possible.

HTH

Glad to know I'm not alone dreamalittle and swimbikerun

My ELCS last time was a very positive experience, but I guess I was just hoping I'd get to actually experience childbirth this time round. I sometimes feel like a bit of a fraud when all my friends are talking about birth etc... What will be, will be I guess. DS1 was/is a happy little boy but obviously didn't want to be upside down for weeks! Maybe DS2 is going to be the same :)