Transverse lie, admission from 37 weeks and possible C-section, any similar experiences?

[Bloatstoat]

I'm 37 weeks with my third baby on Monday. The baby has been transverse lie at last few appointments although I'm sure baby is still moving around a lot, just never into the right position, so they think maybe an unstable lie. I had a consultant appointment today, they want to rescan on Monday and admit me if still transverse, with the plan of a C-section at 39 weeks (or presumably earlier if I go into labour). I understand the risks, I'm just really upset as I have elder DS5 and DD2 who won't even be able to visit, I'd be in hospital for nearly 3 weeks, and no idea how DH is going to cope with trying to work and sort everything out, I feel so guilty.

I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience, and what happened - did you go into labour or have planned C-section? Did baby turn and remain in a good position? I'm terrified of a C-section, having read some awful experiences of people who weren't correctly anaesthetised, there's a thread here at the moment that just makes me feel sick, such an awful experience for the poor woman. I'm just panicking really so if anyone has any positive experiences or advice I'd be really grateful.

Lots of women have very positive c-section experiences - planned is usually much better than emergency. Maybe join some UK c section mum Facebook groups and ask for some positive experiences, I’m sure you’ll hear lots of stories that will make you feel better. It is overwhelmingly a very safe operation, and there are ways to make it calm/enjoyable.

I myself had an emergency c-section, not because of transverse lie, but even though it was an emergency I loved every second. Doctors were lovely, friendly and calm. Did skin to skin straight away. Recovery is surprisingly very easy, I was walking about hours later. Home in 24hrs is the norm these days.

I’m sorry I’ve not got much advice about the three week admission. Could you ask them to do the planned c-section at 38 weeks? Then with a 24hr recovery time, you might only be in for just over a week in total.

Hi,
My baby was transverse last year, they only noticed (don’t ask) at 38+6 when I went in with reduced movement. I had my section at 39+5, but didn’t have to stay in. They weren’t rushed about booking me in at all. It wasn’t mentioned. I was just told to go straight in even if there was a hint of labour. A friend had similar, stayed home but was told to call an ambulance and get into a ‘down dog’ yoga position if she went into labour. Were your first two quick and/or early labours? Are you far from the hospital? I’m not minimising the risks, but this is obviously different in different areas, so it might be worth explaining your anxiety around your other two children (I feel you on that, it’s a long time to be away), and ask what alternatives there are. In terms of the section, the op itself was dreamy and I got skin to skin while they put me back together, first few days were hard but so much nicer than my 3 day labour and 3rd degree tear with my first!! I played lots with my toddler on the floor afterwards with cuddles on the sofa, and he didn’t mind my physical limitations for a few weeks!! Best of luck xxx

Hi op all the best for the next few weeks. Did you have a chat with your mw? Could they try an ecv (turn the baby, basically?). Long story I had a breech, they were thinking of an ecv or cs if it failed. Then he turned head down by himself but then I laboured and had an emergency cs anyway.

Bit confused as to why you'd be in hosp so long? Are you a high risk preg? (Is it a covid thing?) Just check with the hosp. I am sorry if I missed something in your post, I did try to read it thoroughly. (Baby brain for me)

And don't read the disaster threads please, there are some horror stories out there but just try to remember this is your story, your baby. And if you are a multigravida (mum to older kids) your body has done this before, and for lots of mums a cs can be a great experience.

Oh yes, also, my consultant said they’d ideally do a section for a transverse baby between 38 & 39 weeks, but they couldn’t fit me in earlier, so you could definitely ask about moving it forward a bit. This would also reduce your chance of going into labour naturally.

@Laundrydragon the risk of going into labour with a transverse baby is cord prolapse.

My 3rd baby was in a transverse oblique lie, cord was above the head so they weren't as overly concerned. Baby moved into position just over a week before I went into labour naturally, I did lots of breaststroke swimming, inversions (lying upside down on an ironing board propped against the sofa) and the exercises from the spinning babies website. Oh and also saw a chiropractor who reckoned adjusting the back could help open up the pelvis to allow the head to move down. It was the ironing board that I think made the difference as I thought I felt the baby turn.

I was all gowned up for my ELCS due to transverse lie/ footling breech and he turned head down half an hour before I went in! I still had the CS due to other reasons. Easy recovery.

ECV is very very painful in my experience (more painful than labour or c-section!) but it might be worth talking to your consultant if you’re interested.

Thanks so much for your replies everyone, it's really reassuring to hear some positive C-section experiences and that I'm not the only one who's had this issue! The consultant today said she was concerned as my previous labours have been quite quick, but also that it's standard procedure for the trust to admit from 37 weeks in this situation - it's really interesting to hear how other people's experiences have been different.

I will ask about ECV on Monday - impression I got today was that they weren't sure if baby is moving around a lot or staying in one place, if moving they though ECV might not work as baby would basically wriggle out of position again. m a bit nervous of it, but if it meant I didn't have to stay in it would be worth it.

I've been googling madly and trying the spinning babies exercises, I hadn't tried the ironing board one (am a bit concerned me plus pregnancy weight might be too much for our ironing board!) but may have to give it a go! Will also check out some C-section Facebook groups, thanks for the suggestion.

Thanks very much for posting, I really appreciate it.

@Bloatstoat I had an emergency c-section because my daughter was transverse, though this was discovered during labour. I begged for a c-section at 10cm and the doctor told me that I "110% would give birth to my transverse baby vaginally." Well it turns out that unfortunately, it's extremely uncommon for a transverse baby to turn in labour. I was forced to push her and she got so low that when I was given my section, more cuts were made to my womb, resulting in a major pph and blood transfusion.

This is not to scare you: the procedure itself wasn't scary for me (though it was for my husband when I passed out) but it's to educate you that if you're being advised to have a planned section, please, please go for it. Transverse labours can be very dangerous and you are at a much higher risk of cord prolapse.

Yes me my girl was head down at some appointments and not at others so was told c section but she went back head down for birth :) x

That sounds awful @Chanel05, from what I've read it's pretty impossible to have a vaginal delivery if baby is transverse so terrible to put you through that. It's really good to hear you didn't find C-section too awful even with that experience, and that others have had last minute turning babies.
I've spent the weekend in various weird positions hoping gravity will take effect! Am really hoping I won't have to be admitted but at least I'm not dreading a C-section so much now. Thanks everyone for replying.

Hi @Bloatstoat just wondering why you would be in for 3 weeks ? X

@mrssunshinexxx The consultant said on Friday that there would be a risk of complications like cord prolapse if the baby remains transverse or unstable lie, so they would want me admitted in case I go into labour. I think they would plan a C-section if baby is transverse but she said they don't really like to do this before due date or 39 weeks at the earliest, I'm 37 weeks tomorrow so it would mean staying in until the C-section (or earlier if labour starts). Really hoping baby has turned at the scan tomorrow, it seems to have happened for other people so fingers crossed!

My baby was an unstable lie and my waters broke at 35 weeks so I was admitted and given a c-section as soon as they could fit me in which was 2 days later.

My 4th was alternating between transverse and oblique ever since 28 weeks, I was sent in after my 38 week midwife appointment for a scan to confirm baby's position. There was quite a wait for the scan, almost 3 hours, and I spent that time on a birthing ball gently bouncing, and felt baby go head down and engage just before the scan, so I was allowed to go home. Went into labour exactly 1 week later after my 39 week appointment and all was well. Thank goodness for that birthing ball!

Thanks so much for all your replies, I thought I would update in case anyone else has a similar situation and finds it useful.
I went for a scan at 37+0, baby was transverse and in words of the midwife, in the worst possible position as cord was directly over cervix. So I was admitted as they were very concerned about cord prolapse if I did go into labour. I had a growth scan, baby was measuring very big and I was found to have an excess amount of amniotic fluid, explaining why I was so big! So theory was baby had lots of room and fluid to move in, so just wasn't engaging. I was in for 8 days, despite moving from side to side the baby remained transverse and they did a planned C-section at 38+1, as they were concerned about risk of going into labour needing emergency C-section.
I'm not going to lie, I found the C-section hard, even compared to far from straightforward labours previously, but the staff were amazing, the anaesthetist came to reassure me and talk me through everything. Apparently the nerves for feeling pain and cold are the same, so they test anaesthetic has worked with a cold spray so you can be sure it's working, I found this very reassuring as it was my biggest fear! I felt movement but no pain through the section. DD2 was a hefty size, no problems breastfeeding which had been my other worry. DH said he found it much calmer and better than other births. Overall, it wasn't quite what I'd hoped for but kept us all safe, and we're doing ok.