Unstable lie at 38 weeks - help!

[Flangeosaurus]

I’m at my wits end trying to decide what’s best to do - baby was breech and I had an ECV last week which turned him head down but he went transverse again about half an hour after. Since then he’s been turning all over the place from what I can gather, I can’t say exactly where he is now but I am pretty sure he’s not in the approved position!

Antenatal care has been really shit and I had a voicemail from a random midwife earlier to say I’m booked for a c section on Tuesday (which is news to me!) but they’re happy if I want to go beyond my due date. None of this makes any sense to me - I read the guidelines and it seems to recommend admission due to the risk of cord prolapse. I just don’t understand how the midwife can decide she’s suddenly happy for me to go overdue when there’s this risk without even so much as meeting me, never mind giving me an examination.

I just don’t know what to do. Obviously I don’t want to be admitted but it’s not like they seem to be offering that anyway but how am I supposed to make a decision when I’ve got no information? The midwife said in the voicemail she’d ring back but she hasn’t.

Any advice? I’m at a complete loss as to what the best thing to do is, I was half expecting the c section and if that’s what has to be then it’s fine but I thought I might be able to at least have a proper discussion with someone! For context, I had a really difficult time with my first baby ending in a crash section and he nearly died so I’m very very anxious to do whatever I can to make things safer this time round. However, given the choice, I’d probably have preferred a VBAC.

If anyone has any wise words I would be so grateful, DH is at work and this is all just spinning round my head. (Sorry it’s so long!)

Bump

Bump again

Not much wisdom but didn’t want you to go unanswered.

I would take the c section definitely. Planned ELCS is a much smoother (in my recent experience) operation and will be far less stressful on you and the baby. The recovery was really good.

I had one 7 weeks ago for my breach baby.

Having said that they ABSOLUTELY should have discussed it with you, and something seems to be missing here as I had to sign paper work and go through what everything involved and then have a pre op appointment where they took bloods and gave me anti reflux medication to take.

I don’t think they offer admission unless the baby is very clearly stuck just in transverse- that’s what they told me- if the baby can move around (although still in breach) the risk of cord prolapse isn’t the same.

Thanks wheelie it’s so difficult to make the right decision! I’m going to try and get hold of someone today (easier said than done) and see what they say

Yes absolutely they must speak to you. Do you have a phone number for maternity triage?

Yes I do but from experience they don’t answer. I can always just turn up though, difficult to ignore me if I’m stood there!

If it’s not a trek I probably would turn up.

At my hospital you’d be admitted at this gestation with an unstable lie 😳

I would take the c sec. I had a first emcs in similar circumstances to you and DC1 ended up on scbu. DC2 was transverse. Had the elcs which was brilliant and stress free and DC2 delivered with no fuss. Much easier recovery too. Best of luck

I think you should be speaking with a consultant, both about the lie of the baby but also about the ELCS. You have not been consented properly by the sounds of things? See if you can get an answer today and say you need to speak to a doctor if you are to have an ELCS.

I recently had my 3rd section. It's not easy but it's planned, calm and safe. I only found out on the day that my 3rd was breech! She'd been head down for 8 months before then...

Good luck, hope you get some answers.