What happens when you have a planned vaginal breech delivery?

[NCKitten]

Just out of curiosity - has anyone known their baby was breech and still had a vaginal delivery? It wasn't (presented as) an option for me, as the baby was my first, big with a biiiig head, and footling breech. I have heard of undiagnosed breech babies being delivered vaginally, but I am curious if anyone consciously decided to have a vaginal delivery with a breech baby. What was labour like? Was it very medicalised? Did you feel the medical staff knew what they were doing/ were experienced?

kiabella Although everyone has been very kind on this thread, it's good to know I'm not alone in feeling this way!

I had/ have a lot of other risk factors, so fingers crossed number 2 is the right way up/ down (DS turned transverse at 36 weeks and breech at 37, cheeky monkey!)

DC3 was a footling breech, 24 years ago. Because I had had two straightforward deliveries they didn't even consider a section, even though I was 43. I had a pelvic scan to make sure there wasn't likely to be a problem getting him out. An induction was scheduled for a Thursday because the consultant would be available. In the event he was born the day before when I went into labour naturally.
I was given an epidural in case an emergency section became necessary.
He was delivered by a doctor (no idea if he was the promised consultant). I had my legs in stirrups and at the end they yanked him out with forceps. The cord was round his neck.
The room was packed. There was a paediatric doctor, a paediatric nurse, the doctor, two midwives and an anaesthetist, (and my DH).
Behind a glass viewing screen were all sorts of members of staff who wanted to observe a breech birth, because even then a planned breech delivery wasn't that common.
It wasn't a pleasant experience. The epidural failed and had to be resited.
To be honest OP I wish I'd asked for a section.

Well there you go, NC, you were putting him first.

missed out because you didn't have breech baby delivered vaginally - right - … many moons ago … I went over my dates (42 weeks) so sent to consultant - he examined me & said over his shoulder to other junior doctors "Oh shes in breech -we will do trial labour first than c if it doesn't work !" (thanks a lot dr) so off I went to xray & than taken in a couple of days later. Induced 1st day zilch than on day 2 more tablets & manipulation inside zilch day 3 erratic contractions so they gave me drip not fun 23 hours later … with a massive audience long last stage dd 7lbs 13 oz born with forceps & a lot of stiches - if I had a choice I would have had a c -but she was worth it & I had 2 more dc neither of whom were breech I am glad to say. So don't feel like you have missed anything - you had your baby - therefore you gave birth & if anyone is daft enough to make you feel small about it! (one funny thing I thought - when I got to the ward afterwards a woman told me how many stiches she had & asked me how many I had! Why????

Oh & I didn't have an epidural either - & the wonderful stirrups - & the haemorrhoids - (shudders)

Mumwon it was about ten years before birth stories made me squirm.😜
I also forgot the episiotomy which was done so they could get at him better. I couldn't sit down for weeks.
OP you have missed nothing.

My cousin was breech born. Apparently he shot out but had to go into neonatle as he wasn't to good after? It was 22 years ago.

Junior I appreciate you sharing your story. However, telling me I missed nothing is very dismissive of my feelings. I am under no illusions that a vaginal delivery (breech or otherwise) would have been pleasant or easy. Fact is that I did not get to experience it. So I did miss out.

I am sorry, I did not mean to give offence.

Thank you I know none was intended.

I was footling breech in 1985 - planned, spontaneous labour but attended by just about every member of staff going from what Mam said! She apparently had an epidural that they let wear off just at the end, when they hoiked her up on her knees and she pushed my head out. She also didn't wear jeans for a year afterwards and I am an only child which gives some indication as to the state of her undercarriage...