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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Breech baby

21 replies

usernamessuck123 · 29/08/2017 12:51

I am 36+5, and we have found out today that our baby is breech - i know there is still a possibility she may turn... but...

Has anyone has experience of this? We have been offered 3 options;
Breech Vaginal Birth
ECV (turning the baby) - tomorrow
C-Section

We need to make our minds up ASAP but I am so stuck - does anyone have any experiences (good or bad please)

thank you

OP posts:

sthitch · 29/08/2017 13:25

We were told ours might be breech but a scan showed that it was head down and in the right position! We had decided whilst waiting for the scan to try and have the baby turned as there was a 50% chance, if not successful we were going to have a Caesarian - the hospital I'm due to give birth at doesn't do breech vaginal births, even if it did I wouldn't have gone for it.

Original poster

usernamessuck123 · 29/08/2017 13:29

We had the scan today as we were clinging on to the hope that they were wrong! We had pretty much ruled out a breech birth - and i guess a 50% chance is better than nothing!!

OP posts:

Jjjaaakkk · 29/08/2017 13:30

I had 3 breech babies! Tried to turn all 3, they wouldn't turn, so I ended up with 3 sections. The ECV is a little uncomfortable but ok so don't worry too much about that. The section recovery is slow and you will need some help with getting about and lifting in the first few weeks, the less you do the quicker you recover.

Serafinaaa · 29/08/2017 13:31

I had an unsuccessful ecv and was then going to go for vaginal breech as my hospital is very experienced. Was advised to have a c section in the end though after a scan showed her head was huge. It was very straight forward.

Thiswayorthatway · 29/08/2017 13:35

I had a successful ECV at the same stage as you. Uncomfortable but not too painful. Had a straightforward natural delivery a few weeks later.

INeedNewShoes · 29/08/2017 13:38

I had an unsuccessful ECV at 37+6. That procedure was fine and if I were to be in the same situation again I'd happily have another ECV.

Baby was footling breech which hospital won't allow vaginal birth so I had a C at 39+1 which although want what I wanted was a wonderful experience!

TwoDrifters · 29/08/2017 13:39

I was breech at 34 weeks and am rhesus negative. Did some research and decided I didn't want the ECV so went to the spinning babies website and tried all the suggestions they had.

I laid for hours with my legs up the wall and crawled forward (face first) down and off the bed repeatedly!

When I turned up for my c-section, having taken all the pre-emptive meds and gotten to the hospital crazy early, they did a quick scan before we went down to theatre, and the baby had flipped! So I recommend the exercises. Worked for me! Hope all goes well.

Borntoflyinfirst · 29/08/2017 13:44

I had a 'successful' ecv with our 3rd. Wasn't the most pleasant experience but worked at the time. Except she still got stuck so ended up with an emcs anyway. I didn't want a caesarean but I'm pretty sure it would've been much less stressful for everyone if I'd just booked it and not tried the route I did. But alls well that ends well so I can't complain!

Haudyerwheesht · 29/08/2017 13:44

Dd was breech at 36 weeks - I was told my the midwife to go home and put a bag of frozen veg on her 'head' so I did even though I wasn't dubious. She moved and shuffled and I kept moving the bag to follow her and she turned the right way! Was 😵

Personally speaking I was preparing myself for a breech birth rather than the other options .

bigredboat · 29/08/2017 13:49

Dd was breech for weeks and weeks, tried spinning babies positions at 37 weeks and she turned by herself. I didn't fancy the ECV so would've had a section if she hadn't turned.

RebornSlippy · 29/08/2017 13:55

I think ECV is the best option at this point before deciding anything further. As others have said, it's uncomfortable, but shouldn't be painful. While Spinning Babies exercises are useful they are more suited to earlier gestations (

Original poster

usernamessuck123 · 29/08/2017 16:42

Thank you all - it is good to hear everyone's different opinions!

OP posts:

StephiD3 · 22/09/2017 18:05

36 weeks with breech baby here. Appointment next week to check if turned - fingers crossed!

What did you go for? X

babynelly2010 · 22/09/2017 19:17

I had a transverse baby. We were dead against any manual turnings because my research showed that babies are often in wrong position for a reason, like tangled, short or wrap around cord. DD turned but stayed back to back. I ended up with emcs at the end. And even though it was emergency it was good experience and recovery was very uncomplicated and brief.

manglethedangle · 22/09/2017 19:25

I've heard some really nasty outcomes (real life and on here) from ecvs so would never have one, especially as I'm rhesus negative but baby was positive. Baby's are often breech for a reason.

Mamamamamamama · 22/09/2017 20:23

My boy was breech they tried the ecv, the most painful thing I've ever gone through personally .. ended up with a Elcs as didn't fancy a breexh vaginal birth!! The ecv was worse than the section recovery pain won't be doing that again!! Hope you've had a good experience either way xx

girlwhowearsglasses · 22/09/2017 20:31

My twin two was breech. He was born breech too as undiagnosed - he even had his arms above his head. So I was incredibly super lucky to have a really experienced midwife who had done multiple vaginal breech births. I would have gone for an encased if I hadn't known how experienced she was though.

Unfortunately not many midwives have any experience of breech birth nowadays. There maybe some at your hospital though.

If you are at all interested in what can happen in a successful breech birth search for Mary Cronk's 'hands off the breech' article online. She is retired now but is a really well respected midwive and tutor.

It's perfectly possible to have a breech birth naturally with an experienced midwife.

girlwhowearsglasses · 22/09/2017 20:33

Encased = emcs

Also I forgot to mention that the breech birth didn't feel any worse than the first cephalic birth - but if you're having twins it's a bit different

Llamacorn · 22/09/2017 20:38

I had 2 breech vaginal births. Both babies were a few weeks premature and I was advised this was better for them.
In all honesty though, it caused quite a few problems, 1 dd had hip issues as a baby and it did cause me a few issues down below.
In regards to the births, I wouldn't say there were any more difficult than dd1 who was head down, but I think as they were quite small that's what helped.
I would honestly be concerned birthing a breech baby full term, and given the choice I think I would chose an elective Cs. I think the external turning can be quite stresssful for the baby but there will be others who will be able to advise you better.
You still have time for your baby to turn, and I hope that is what happens. Could you talk through your different options with midwife/consultant? There are obviously pros and cons for each, and it is your choice which would be best for you and your baby.
Good luck.

PodgeBod · 22/09/2017 21:41

I was given the same 3 options. I refused the ECV and had an ELC and it was honestly a very calm and fantastic experience. I don't regret it for a second.
I never considered a breech vaginal birth, even though I was offered one. Not worth the risk in my opinion.
18 months after my ELC I had a straightforward VBAC as well.

WiseDad · 22/09/2017 22:46

I haven't had any of these procedures but have been there alongside my wife. I am really encouraged by the the fact you saw "we" as the father has quite a reaction to want is going on. The first csection we had was nerve wracking as it is a big deal to go in expecting one thing and then see surgery. You are fortunate in being able to prepare mentally for the op if you choose that. There are risks and your partner will be terrified if it is your first. I know I was very concerned for the woman I love so take away the extra risk if you can for the sake of everyone there.

If given the choice it appears they think they can deliver safely naturally. Having read up on it after our emergency c section I am glad we didn't get a choice. The internet might be full of horror stories but just some risk focused reading said breach is more hazardous for baby and mother. More experience is needed and more care. If you are fit and strong it might be ok.

We didn't get any warning and my wife was about to be induced when the doctor who came in to prescribe remembered seeing us a few weeks before when son was presenting as breach. A quick palpation and confirming ultrasound showed nothing had changed so 30 mins later we were in an operating theatre. This did have something to do with the fact that we were in hospital after already 10+ hours of labour and it wasn't really going to be safe going for an induced breach birth! Too wound up to really think it through at the time. Both exhausted as hell after a long night.

Go csection. We have had all three that way and some fine care. You will need more recovery time and help at home. And tummy muscles take longer to heal so perhaps expect more flab (I might be wrong about this - good straight stitching helps!).

Good luck!

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