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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Childbirth

Have you had/would you consider a breech birth?

44 replies

Ceolas · 21/07/2007 19:44

This is my 4th pregnancy. Have had 3 vaginal births (including a 10lb DS 4 years ago!).

Currently 35 weeks and baby is breech. I have been trying lots of knee-chest positioning and inversion but it still feels the same.

I know baby still has time to turn and we have the option of external version in a couple of weeks. But thinking ahead, I'm dreading the thought of a Caesarian section and wondering about the possibility of a breech birth.

I am booked for home birth at present and will accept if it had to be in hospital. Are breech births so uncommon? Would there be MWs confident/skilled to assist?

Has anyone done it? Any stories - positive or negative?!

OP posts:

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dissle · 27/07/2007 15:21

My baby was breach, undiagnosed however, i was very glad when i woke up and they explained to me the reasons why i had a c/s.

Have you researched this at all?

CarGirl · 27/07/2007 15:25

which hospital would you end up at how big is it, how much experience do they have, can you afford a doula? did you have spontaneous labour with the others etc etc

Have you spoken to Lulumama to see what thoughts she has?

Ceolas · 27/07/2007 15:26

Dissle, I have as much as I can find. Mary Cronk seems to talk a lot of sense on the subject.

Her opinion seems to be that if labour does not progress then C-section is the best option. If it does, delivery is likely to be successful. She's not in favour of augmenting labour in any way to 'force' a breech delivery. I think this is what I'd prefer, especially considering I've had 3 vaginal deliveries already. Just wondering if there's any research to the contrary?

OP posts:

Ceolas · 27/07/2007 15:29

CarGirl, I'm not sure about the stats for the hospital. It would be Queen Mother in Glasgow. Have to discuss all that with the consultant I suppose.

Last 3 labours have been spontaneous at term or slightly over.

Not seen Lulu around to discuss this. Would you point her over here if you see her or MarsLady?

OP posts:

DaisyMOO · 27/07/2007 15:33

The problem is Ceolas that research on breech birth vs cesarean tends to look at hospital deliveries where it tends to be epidural in, legs in stirrups, very hands-on by birth attendant, which according to midwives such as Mary Cronk is actually very dangerous. Have you thought of phoning or emailing Mary Cronk or Michel Odent for advice - both are very experienced in vaginal breech deliveries.

chopster · 27/07/2007 15:33

Not actually read all the thread, but surely you could have a vaginal if you wanted. The dts were breech and the consultant wanted me to have a vaginal since they were my 3rd/4th. I didn't actually go for it, but prob would have if there had only been one of them.

CarGirl · 27/07/2007 15:36

Well if it were me I wouldn't because I've always been induced but if I had been spontaneous than I would provided there were a few professionals at the hospital who were experienced.

Hopefully as it's your 4th you would be confident enough to say no to stirrups, laying down for continuous monitoring etc.

There again I was too nervous to wait past Term+16 to be induced.........

Have you had quite rapid labours or long drawn out affairs?

Ceolas · 27/07/2007 15:39

1st albour was 12 hours, but 2nd and 3rd around 6.

Not looked at what Odent has to say yet...

OP posts:

Klaw · 27/07/2007 16:35

Ceolas, as Daisymoo said email Mary Cronk!! NOW!

She will definitely reply to you and she may have contacts at the Queen Mother. If you wish I can ask around with Scottish Doula Network for anyone with experience/tips etc.

I shall be seeing some of them at an OFP workshop on Sunday in Edinburgh...

Remembering, of course, that you are only 36wks by this point with a 4th baby and loads of time to turn yet!

Klaw · 27/07/2007 16:49

Also, you might like to contact Jayne at Glasgow Birth Choices.

She has been doing a fantastic job in the Glasgow area and would definitely be the one to contact!

lulumama · 27/07/2007 16:50

Klaw · 27/07/2007 17:27

Ceolas · 27/07/2007 17:41

Hi Lulu. What are your thoughts on this?

What difference would a doula make in these circumstances? Never considered having one before...

OP posts:

lulumama · 27/07/2007 17:45

my thoughts are pretty similar to Klaw's actually

it is such a shame that breech birth (vaginal) is becoming a so far from normal

i would certainly research it and contact the people Klaw has suggested

at the end of the day, you can make an informed decision to have this baby vaginally....and no-one can force you to have a c.s

also , as this is your 4th baby you are au fait with birth, and you know that you can birth a big baby, so if you know of the risks , and weigh them up, why not a vaginal birth?

a doula can help by encouraging you and supporting you, and helping with research

and should your birth be an em c,s or an elective or a v,b, then she will be there to nurture and support you ,no matter what..

lulumama · 27/07/2007 17:46

and help you with birth preferences / plans for all eventualities !

Klaw · 27/07/2007 17:49

Ceolas, I can put you in touch with a wonderful lady who did the Doula training with me, depending on your area. She lives in Kilmacolm and would be very happy to help you make your own informed decisions. Otherwise, I can put you in touch with those in your area. As not all will be on SDN contact list yet.

Most should be willing to chat to you even if you do not necessarily want to hire them.

Ceolas · 27/07/2007 17:53

Klaw that is really good of you. If you don't mind I will hang fire til I get the scan on Tues, so we know for sure. Also I'll get a chance to speak to the midwife then and find out what the lie of the land is likely to be.

I wonder if there would be any difference between QM and Paisley? My first option would definitely be to stay at home though...

It's all the uncertainties of pregnancy that can be so worrying. If we had x-ray vision and crystal balls, we might be more relaxed about it!

OP posts:

FioFio · 27/07/2007 17:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

muppethasakitten · 27/07/2007 18:03

all good viewpoints and advice - nothing to add except don't give up on lo still turning - my ds2 did at week 39 (couple of days b4 c-sec booked) - apparantly this is really common - especially if it isn't your first baby.

fingers crossed - good luck

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