Unstable lie at 36+0: C section?

[Whataretheodds]

I'm feeling really confused about my situation.

I went for my my obstetrician appointment (standard as I'm over 40). Baby was breech a few weeks ago, cephalic on a scan last week, and then breech again when he examined me.

I can have an ECV if I want but he said the odds aren't great of the baby turning and staying turned.

He recommends a C section at 39weeks.

My plan A would have been a smooth vaginal birth (!) But i have been really nervous about the prospect of induction at 39/40w again due to age/forceps delivery) so was considering an elective c section.
I don't really want to attempt a vaginal breech birth.

Does anyone have any experiences of this? I thought I would be relieved that the decision was taken out of my hands but now I'm worried about the c section, impact on skin to skin time, recovery etc.

If it was me I’d wait and see. Well quite literally I would wait and see if baby is head down when I go into labour. If baby is breach then they can still do a c-section. Atleast then you know the c-section is completely necessary especially if you have another child at home to run round after.

If they still have room to spin about then they still have room to end up head down. 36 weeks still gives you both lots of time.

Then again some people prefer to make a plan and know what they’re getting.

what sort of breech? Ever transverse? How high is the risk of cord prolapse? How close are you to hospital? Any other factors that would make an urgent section more complicated on you? Have you had a vaginal delivery before (might make a difference to the chance of an induction working/type of induction you needed if you were to consider it). It's a bit more complicated than head up/head down.

I can guarantee all your concerns about c section can be debunked. starting with skin to skin time - there is zero impact on this. Do whatever is safest for you both.

I had a planned c-section at 39 weeks for a breech baby who was breech at my 36 week scan and didn't turn despite my best efforts! Check out the spinning babies website if you're really keen to avoid a c-section - didn't work for me but worth a go. I declined an ECV and went straight for the planned section. My DD had other ideas and my waters broke 3 days before my planned section date. Still had an uncomplicated section. My DD needed a bit of help breathing etc so couldnt come straight to me for skin to skin but I had a good hour of skin to skin in the recovery room and she stayed on me up in the maternity unit for hours!

Actually had a second planned section and my other DD was put straight on my chest so assuming all is fine with baby there's no reason you won't have skin to skin straight away.

I can't comment in terms of recovery vs a vaginal birth but I was up and about 6 hours after my second daughter (if a bit sore) so I think you'll find the recovery is fine.