Turning Process or c-section

[sam21901]

Hiya i need people's advice. I have found out that my baby is in the breech position and have two options. I can either try and get him turned or go straight for a c-section. I am not sure on what to do so could some people please try and tell me what the turning process is like or a c-section please?

Thankyou x

How many weeks are you?

I was told at 32 weeks that my baby was breech. Offered a consultant led vaginal breech birth, ECV and/or ELCS.

Opted for latter.
ECV at 37 weeks, uncomfortable at best and very obviously unsuccessful. ELCS was fine.

There are a lot of scare stories around ECV, make up your own mind. For me, as I said, it was uncomfortable but nothing more.

In a similar situation I decided to go for the turning and if it didn't work then vaginal birth (hopefully). It was my second though and she did turn herself at 36 weeks

I had an ECV at 37 weeks with DC2. I found it okay, it was very quick - the worst bit was the injection they gave to relax the womb - it made me feel really sick. However, it worked and he stayed in position until I gave birth at 41+3.
I did have a good chat with the lady who did the ECVs first though as I wasn’t sure about it at all but she put my mind at ease.

Ah yes, they give salbutamol subcut to relax the uterine muscles. Gave me awful tremors and nausea!

No experience but if it was me I would follow all the advice here www.spinningbabies.com/pregnancy-birth/baby-position/breech/
to try and get the baby to turn naturally. If that didn't work I would not want anyone trying to turn the baby manually!! So I would attempt vaginal breech birth or would opt for an ELCS.

DS was breech at 33 weeks. I managed to turn him the old fashioned way by scrubbing the kitchen floor on my hands and knees He flipped later that night when I was in bed. It was the oddest feeling ever and made me feel very queasy. He stayed the right way round thank goodness.

If you are much further on than this it probably won't work.

@sam21901 How far along are you? Up to 36 weeks, there is a chance of the baby moving if you are guided into some positions.
What I am gong to type was recommended by my OB/Gyn in Switzerland and based on my medical history and physical fitness, so don't attempt it without talking to your midwife.

DD was breech, and I was encouraged to basically adopt an upside down position to have her move towards the upper part of the uterus until her head hitting it would made her turn like the swimmers doing a turn on the pool wall.
I was told to spread some cushions around the side of the sofa, and helped by DH to slide down from the side head first until I could adopt a position I would be able to hold fir at least 30 min at the time. And I did it, I had my back almost flat against the side of the sofa, and was supported on my shoulders,
I know it is hard to understand what I am trying to explain but it worked for me, at the third sessions I would say, it was a very weird sensation like when you are standing on a boat and it sinks after a wave.
I was also given the option to try acupuncture as there is a point in one of your pinkie toes that is supposed to help, but that didn't resonate with me, so I preferred to opt for the postural technique.

I am 37 weeks tomorrow and would like thank everyone for their advice it has really helped me x

Good luck Sam!

I declined ECV. My breech baby wasn't discovered until the end of 39 weeks when I was about to be given a sweep. I was uneasy about ECV anyway but I really didn't want to attempt it at such a late stage.
I was really happy with my c section.

Hi there, I'm a big fan of c-sections. I had an EMCS with DD, and knowing what I know now - I'd 100% elect for a CS over any sort of vaginal birth.

My ECV didn’t work, they often don’t. No pain or side effects though.

Tbh I’d jump at the chance of an elective section, much nicer than my previous vagina birth please don’t be frightened of them

My DS2 is 6 months old, I went in at 39 weeks to be induced and it was picked up then that he was breech, I had had 2 sweeps at this point, how they didn't realise I don't know I had been telling them for weeks I thought he was breech.

They offered for me to try natural labour with breech delivery but when they scanned me realised his cord was in the way so that was a no go. I opted to have him turned and my waters broken at the same time so that he would stay head down, it went really well and he turned no problems. However despite being on the drip 12 hrs later I hadn't dilated at all so had to have a CS. I know a lot of people rave about them but he was DC4 and my only CS and I would never do it again if I could help it. The pain after was awful and could barely walk and it took me weeks to feel any sort of normal and my scar still hurts at times 6 months later and is also numb in places as well, I have a horrible 'over hang' and even though my chances of having a flat tummy ever again were slim after 4DC it is just not possible now with the scar I have.

I hope this helps I just wanted to give an alternative view on having a CS.

@LeGrandBleu

Good luck Sam!

thankyou xx

Not sure if everyone will see this message but would like to thank everyone for commenting. I'm going to speak to a doctor today to discuss my options. Everything that everyone has said i will/have taken on board. it has been very helpful x

@fatisnotafeeling

My DS2 is 6 months old, I went in at 39 weeks to be induced and it was picked up then that he was breech, I had had 2 sweeps at this point, how they didn't realise I don't know I had been telling them for weeks I thought he was breech.

They offered for me to try natural labour with breech delivery but when they scanned me realised his cord was in the way so that was a no go. I opted to have him turned and my waters broken at the same time so that he would stay head down, it went really well and he turned no problems. However despite being on the drip 12 hrs later I hadn't dilated at all so had to have a CS. I know a lot of people rave about them but he was DC4 and my only CS and I would never do it again if I could help it. The pain after was awful and could barely walk and it took me weeks to feel any sort of normal and my scar still hurts at times 6 months later and is also numb in places as well, I have a horrible 'over hang' and even though my chances of having a flat tummy ever again were slim after 4DC it is just not possible now with the scar I have.

I hope this helps I just wanted to give an alternative view on having a CS.

your message has been very helpful so thankyou x

You should be informed of the risks of both. In addition I would also ask the individual success rate of the Consultant who would perform your ECV.

You may also want to ask about vaginal breech birth. The choices aren't necessarily ECV vs CS but that'll depend on other factors such as baby's position and any individual risk factors. Good luck.

My baby was breech but then turned at 30 weeks. Baby then turned transverse just before labour and I had an emcs!

I had an ECV at 40 weeks was the 2nd worst experience of my life. It failed. I was booked in for a CS at 40 + 5.

Baby came in a hurry at 40 + 3. Only just made it to hospital in time. EMCS.

Result was PND and PTSD. Took over two years to recover.