Breech Baby

[JessicaES]

Hi all,
I'm currently 36 + 6 with my second child. He's been breech since 20 weeks and I've had every hope that he may turn in time for labour, 18/12 due date. My midwife said he's still presenting breech at my appointment a couple of days ago. I'm not against a CS delivery I am however absolutely petrified.
I've got so many friends who have had a CS and have been at home 24 hours later.
Has anyone else had a pleasant elective CS and been home fairly quick? My daughters 3rd birthday is the day before sons due date. I've been informed they're likely to do a CS 5 days before due date meaning I could be home for my little girls birthday.
Looking for positive/honest CS stories and anything that may help settle my nerves as I've lost all hope in the little monkey turning.

• Not against ECV - Just isn't for me personally.

@Pac35 I’m definitely expecting recovery time to be a little more difficult with having a toddler at home, she’s also baby obsessed so will want to be wherever baby is but is also quite accepting when someone feels under the weather not to be too OTT.
Your entire procedure, if you don’t mind me asking how long you found you were in theatre start to finish?
Some friends have said 20 minutes for an elective some have said an hour, I like to be as physically and mentally prepared as possible.

Anxiety levels have been through the roof.

My first was elc due to breech. I had a failed ecv at 38 weeks. I'm very low pain tolerance - my recovery was textbook, tiny line scar, no issues, but my mobility and pain was horrific. The op took about 2 hours, they took a long time sewing me up again. Baby boy was out within 10 minutes easily.

Had a vbac this year, my first natural labour. It was precipitous labour and shoulder dystocia, diamorphine for pain. Recovery was an absolute dream despite the hefty stitches, I was bouncing around same day. I'd do every old wives tale in the book to get that baby facing the right way, especially with a child at home already!

Caveat that most people have better cesarean recoveries than me / are less pain intolerant!

DS2 was a c section for unstable lie. It was uncomfortable and I was scared. The recovery was the hardest part though. Keep on top of any painkillers. Don't wait til you need them. Get mobile as soon as you feel ready, it'll really help.
But it was so, so worth it. No regrets. There were far more unknowns with an ecv attempt and labour since no guarantees even if they had turned him that he'd have stayed put. The section was complete control.
Even with a PPH I was discharged 24 hours later, like yourself, just in time to spend my toddlers birthday a couple days later with him at home! I felt bad I couldn't do much with him for it, but it was a great excuse to spend it in the house as a family, with his favourite movies, treats and a duvet and pillow Fort. Relaxed, but it was still really special.
Good luck! It's not easy but more often than not it isn't a horror story x

@Blessedbethefruitz 2 hours?! That length of time would worry me terribly, I don’t cope well not having control of certain things. I thought lots of walking would do the trick and all fours but no sign yet! 🙁

@Twokidsanddone Same question I’ve asked previous people but how long did your CS take? So grateful that I’ve not yet read any awful stories but each response is making me feel more and more relaxed.
I feel as though I haven’t yet been able to be excited about the birth because the nerves have taken over but I’m finally feeling like I can be excited. As silly as that sounds as I should just be grateful he’s healthy and all is well, nerves have definitely managed to get the better of me x

It took about an hour and a half. About half an hour to baby being out. And about an hour putting me back together. The surgeons etc were so relaxed and calm the whole time which helped

It was very long stitching. I'm an anxious person, I passed baby to his dad to hold as I was getting shaky. Also severe itching due to the fentanyl in the spinal and they'd already maxed me out on Pirton. Nothing went wrong at all, minimal blood loss. And the stitching was excellent, no complaints there at all.

With a cesarean you know you and baby are in great, expert hands, there's so many people there! I almost opted for a second, but decided to risk it last minute for the chance of an 'easier' recovery with vbac.

It's a very personal thing. Most people love their 'electives' :)

I wouldn’t worry about needing a c section yet, both my babies turned later than yours and it’s absolute bollocks that they run out of room, my first was over 10lb and was constantly turning til 41 weeks.

@Blessedbethefruitz I keep telling myself that the staff will be fantastic and should I need anything or feel unsure, unwell etc, they’re there to help me too and not just evacuate baby!
Im sure on the day I’ll be a bag of nerves but hoping once it’s done with I can be one of those to say ‘well that wasn’t too bad!’ 😂
I have joked I may yet enjoy it and want a third, hubby looked totally shocked 😝

Hope it all works out for you.

I had a CS for baby 1 and it was overall positive experience, good recovery and was home the day after surgery.
Second baby was VBAC and lots of complications and ended up staying in for 4 nights so you can't really plan for being out of hospital quicker after a VB.

It will absolutely be fine if it's needed :) The actual process itself was fine for me, if a little odd with the rummaging sensation! Just get someone to stay in overnight with you if you have a cesarean - I didn't, and postnatal care varies massively across areas. I didn't need anything beyond water and food with my second, but I needed help to do anything with my first, and regretted sending dp home to sleep when he was allowed to stay!

@Blessedbethefruitz I assumed my husband would have to go home at the end of visiting hours, I’ll have to check this out, hadn’t even given it much thought!
I did mention this evening I’m wary about being on my own overnight after surgery

@LoveBluey Another positive response, thank you! 💕
I feel more anxious about a planned CS than I did about my first born being born vaginally when I assume there could have been more complications with that than I was open to realise!

Ah I really hope it's a positive experience for you whatever happens. The CS was really a lot better than I expected, had surgery at 7am, whole day to recover with DH on the ward with me. He wasn't allowed overnight but it was honestly fine. Just buzz and ask for help if you need it. I recovered quickly and was driving after 3 weeks.

I honestly can't remember about a catheter. I've had a good think and I think they took it out just after lunch after DS was born at 4 or 5am. I don't think it occurred to me to ask for it out sooner tbh.

I was worried at first at the change of plans when my waters broke at home, but it turned out fine. Yes it was an emergency section, but I got to pick a radio station to listen to, had some good chat with the medical staff and there didnt feel like a rush to get DS out. I had my first DS in theater with forceps and this was completely different, I think because I hadn't gone through 16 hours of labour and 2 hours of pushing by then too.

Best of luck, it was honestly completely fine!

It took quite a while for the spinal. They were surprised as I am slim (normally it's trickier if you're heavier).
I'd say about 2 hours in theatre from start to finish. I didn't hold him straight away as had severe shaking (common with spinal) and nausea. I held him in recovery.
I also had to have blood thinning injections for ten days. Those stung!
Can I ask why you're against ECV? no judgement of course! But I think they have a much worse reputation. Like I said it wasn't particularly pleasant but a small price to pay should it have been successful. The likelihood of success in someone who has delivered before is much higher and second labours tend to be quicker and easier. I know there's no way to be sure of the outcome either way!
I hope you have a straightforward caesarean if that's what you choose. The likelihood is you have a positive and safe birth if your baby 😊 it's very exciting!

Breech Delivery www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/4613706-breech-delivery