Anyone had a natural birth with breech/tranverse baby?

[lovecloud]

At my last app my mv said the baby was breech but I think the baby is lying across me because I feel lots of bony limbs on my left side and a hard round head onb my right side. The baby has been in this position since I was aware of him or her - quite a few months. I am 33 weeks and waiting to see if they turn is not enough for me. I get into bum higher than head position a few times a day when baby is active and always sit with my knees lower.

I really really really dont want to have a c-section for many reasons but the main one is I am really looking forward to the birth experience. I already have one child and gave birth to her naturally too.

Can they not try turn the baby now? Why do you have to wait until near the end to try this method?

If the baby wont turn I might risk trying to give birth anyway if the docs allow. I was going to find out this week if my hospital have successfully delivered breeh or transvers babies naturally.

Have any of you done this? How bad was it?

Do you give birth on all fours?

bump :)

I know that my local hospital won't deliver breech babies vaginally, will only do CS. Your hospital may have a different policy. I imagine that they would wait until nearer the end of your PG to see if the baby turns naturally by itself, rather than subjecting your baby to a potentially unnecessary procedure, that may IIRC carry some risks.

I did have a natural delivery with footling breech dd2, but it was 8 years ago now. Had to have an epidural, and was whisked into theatre as her foot (eek! purple!) appeared, just incase she got stuck, but fortunately all was fine and although the consultant was hovering, literally snapping his scissors, I managed to get her out in time and escaped an episiotomy.

I have heard that I wouldn't be allowed to have this kind of birth now, though...

Orlando - did it have any effect on your baby even short term?

No, not at all. And because the birth was very well-managed I felt pretty calm as well-- in sharp contrast to the total shellshocked panic I felt after the agony of dd1's birth!

Spoke to mw today and she said my hospital do allow vaginal deliveries with breech babies if it is your second child and you have given birth before.

So there is still hope!

I think they won't turn them till later because they may well just turn back at this stage, whereas later when there is less room they are more likely to stay put! Make sure you have a doctor who is willing to do it though - it's a dying art, so it would be worth making sure of this now rather than nearer the time when they may push you harder to have a CS!

Hope it turns by itself!

At 33 weeks this isn't a big problem.
At 34 weeks 15% are still breech (or not head down!)
If your baby were to remain transverse you will need a section, you canhave a vaginal birth if your baby remains breech but might have to argue... depends on the consultant. (you can also have an ECV at 37 weeks).
HOWEVER there things you can do... I once recommended a visit to an osteopath to one of my clients who was 36 weeks with a transverse lie and the baby droped right in head down! SO a great success for her. I think accupuncture might help too but I would wait the 36 weeks mark before worrying too much.
There has been some research that seem to indicate a higher incidence of breech babies in worried mums (wife of men in Irak for example).

lovecloud -Great news about your hospital!!!!

i had ecs with a breech - sorry can't remember what type. I was pretty much begged by my hosp to have a vaginal birth as is teachign hosp which specialises in it and my consultant is said to have magic hands with turnings (although not for me :().

Anyhoo if you are in london you could always try getting a turning there if necs. Don't know if they allow this but you can choose where your baby is born. It's the homerton btw.

Pupuce - thanks!

I am trying to relax as much as possible and practice relaxtion with deep breathing!

The only thing I am stressed about is the baby not in the right position. I know the baby could move but the fact that he/she has stayed in this transverse position for a couple of months - why will he/she move now? I know I am in for a c-sec if they stay like this.

If i get to 36 weeks and still like this I will try anything :)

Going to reflexology this week for more relaxtion

I have a lot of admiration for my Mum now I've had 2 kids - she had me breech on gas and air only 30 odd years ago. Consultant turned me once, and I turned back again (Mum says I've been awkward ever since). Consultant told her "you're built like the black wall of China, you'll be fine"!! She had a room full of med. students observing the birth too, says she felt like passing a hat round for a collection! Sorry no advice, hope everything goes well.

I had a 'natural birth' with dd1 who was transverse op - no drugs but massive intervention at the end

it was vile and if I had a breech or transverse baby this time would deffo have a c-section!

btw my baby was breech but turned last week at 34 weeks

Lovecloud, second the others that it's prob still too early to worry unduly about breech, and also that I understand acupuncture using burnt moxa herb on specific points has a pretty good rate of turning breech babies in a gentle, non-invasive way.

Pinchy x

I used that moxa herb stuff, burnt my little toes off in the process (only joking) to turn dd at about 36 weeks - she turned back again soon after and I had a painless ecv at 39 weeks, so fear not - loads of time yet.....