Transverse Lie - any experiences to share?

[vicsta]

Am now 33wks and baby is transverse. Has been since 20 wks. My MW is very nice and assures me that its nothing to be too concerned about just yet and I am seen every week. But, as the weeks are passing I am getting more & more uptight as she doesn't seem to want to talk to me about what will happen if baby doesn't turn. I know (well, I think I know) that it will result in a CS and that will mean a change in hospital for me as I was planning to go to a MW led unit. Last week she told me to start getting my hospital bag ready, but I don't know what to pack as I don't know which hospital I will go to or how long I'll be staying (its usually only about 4 hr stay after the birth in the MW led unit). I have another appointment with her on Thursday. Should I demand a 'what if?' discussion? Or am I getting too het up over this? It's not as if I want an answer set in stone, but I would like to prepare.

hi there - Am not an expert or anything but am now 37 weeks and my baby was transverse til last week - she has now moved to head down and oblique - so not much better really. I have a consultant appt booked for the start of week 39 and if she still isnt in a better position then they will book me in for a cs. They wont do ecv cos I am a vbac.

have you tried turning the baby - mine moved when i went swimming and crawled around the baby pool for an hour?

your gp can probably refer you to the consultant at the nearest hospital - if you go into labour when the baby is transverse then you will have to have an emergency cs and they take you to the nearest hospital in the ambulance in case of cord prolapse...

im no expert -my ds2 was trnsverse/oblique 12 years ago and i was advised to have c section due to previous c section- they tried to turn him but he wouldnt budge-realistically youve got a fair few weeks left for your dc to turn and so i wouldnt get to het up worrying - pack a bag containing stuff you will need and stuff for the baby that will aid you wherever you end up,the midwife has probably been a little vague bcos quite honestly no-one can predict if or when this baby might turn and engage.

worse case scenario is that your dp or birth partner has to bring you in some fresh bits and pieces.....relax and enjoy these last few weeks

My dd was transverse due to bicornate uterus so that was the only way she could lie. She settled oblique at about 34 weeks and I had a bit of a tantrum when told about having to have a c section. I had been told early on if I had a section would likely need a hystrectomy at the same time. They could not try to turn her as there was no-where for her to go!!

She did not engage and sort of twisted round a bit and settled back to back. Not a good birth and now I wonder why I was so upset, I had a healthy baby at the end. Been offered a section for next time, won't be taking up that kind offer, I'm sticking to the one!!

Depends on the lie - transverse is not always the same thing. You can get something called transverse arrest where the baby is properly sideways and there is no alternative but a CS because he or she is not coming out the regular way!

However many babies move about even to the point of labour - it's not unheard of for babies to go from transverse at 38 weeks to head down or even breech - they are random little buggers.

What I suggest you do if you are really worried is ask for a referral to a consultant obstetrician for a view on options - it may be that you will go in for a scan only to find that your baby is now properly positioned. Or at the very least you'll be able to have a sensible discussion about options.