Breech baby :(

[Firsttimemumtobe12]

I'm nearly 37 weeks pregnant and baby is breech and has been for the past 2 weeks. Got an appointment to Wednesday with midwife to see if he's turned but I'm 99% sure he hasn't as I'm sure I can feel his head between my ribs.
Is it likely that he will turn by himself now? Also my bump is very small with hardly any waters around him does this make a difference?
I'm also quite nervous about the thought of doctors trying to turn him as I've heard it can be quite painful.
Also dreaded the thought of having a c-section as I want to be able to get on with things fairly soon after the birth hate the thought of not being able to do much after the birth.
Advice and experiences needed please?!

No doubt others will be along to reassure you.

My DS was breech from the moment you could tell. He settled in and never thought about flipping himself around.

I did a bit of research about trying to turn him but decided against it. Went for an ELCS. Granted I knew pretty much from the get go that that would happen.

If you do decide on an ELCS, your recovery may not be as hard as you think. I think a lot has to do with how your health is leading up to the birth. I was up and around on day 2 (as soon as the catheter was out). The big thing is don't try to do too much too soon. I could tell on the days I over did it (so don't try to lug the vacuum up/down stairs whilst wearing baby 2 weeks post-op).

I had no problems BFing. Just had a pillow strategically placed to protect the scar.

Was going for decent walks (1 mile) pushing the stroller from @ 3 weeks and slow, gentle jogs from @ 12 weeks post-op (not with DS).

The scar is minimal - just below bikini line (which I don't wear any way).

You've still got time & your baby may turn on his/her own. On the flip side, you have some time to come to grips with an ELCS if you choose to do that.

Have you been offered a ecv where they try to turn the baby? You can say no if you don't want it.

My DC1 was breech throughout my pregnancy but did turn spontaneously at 37 weeks.

Mine was breech for most of months 7 and 8, then was head-down, then managed to flip back into breech while I was in labour - then was somehow born head first! So anything's possible.

While she was breech I did a lot of research; I recommend a book called (I think) Breech Birth, by Benna Waites. Vaginal breech birth is perfectly do-able; the problem is finding midwives/obstetricians who have some experience with them. Because current policy is invariably to refer for an elective section, this expertise is being lost, which is a real shame.

I didn't want ECV, and I definitely didn't want an elective section, tho if the labour had stalled I would have transferred in for one. Happily, my labour progressed v quickly, and she was born fine, and head-first!

My newborn DD turned at 39 weeks. We researched the options in case she didn't turn and would've opted for an ELCS. Breech delivery risks hip problems which are a hereditary problem in my family anyway, and the ECV seemed quite an ordeal and potentially risky.

Best of luck!

Firsttimemum I wouldn't be too worried about an ELCS if there is no other option - there is a lot of scaremongering about it. . I actually found it a far better experience than vaginal birth.
The problem with going for a vaginal birth with problems (ie breech) is that you are more likely to have a complicated vaginal birth (emergency caesarean or forceps) and recovery from these is usually far longer and far worse than an ELCS. The other thing is that ELCS is safer for both breech babies and mums.

However, it is a personal thing but if you are a first time mum I would not be too wooed by how wonderful vaginal birth is and how quick the recovery is. It isn't always like that.

Good luck though.

Stick to your instincts on ECV - you are no less likely to have and EMCS after ECV than if nothing was done. So not only painful but pointless.