Breeched baby at 38 weeks... don't want a CSec

[Dophus]

I am 38 weeks and had a presentation scan yesterday which showed that the baby is definitely breeched. The consultant said that the bay is too tightly packed to try an ECV. The estimated wieght is 6lb 9oz and this is my first pregnancy.

I had wanted a relatively natural birth useing the water pool and home form home facilities. The consultant has saif that he will support me if I decide to go for a vaginal delivery but doesn't really recommend it as there is an increased risk for the baby. If I attempt a vaginal delivery then there is a 50:50 chance I will end up with a C Sec. I hate hospitals and I am terrified by the thoguht of a C Sec.

I was feeling extremely positive, optimistic and excited about the birth. I now feel weepy, anxious and generally miserable.

I would like to try for a vaginal delivery but don't want to put the baby at any increased risk. Does anyone know how risky a vaginal delivery is?

Soory, meant to say: does anyone have any data on the consequences of trying to go for a c-section?

There wasn't a minute when I wasn't able to look after my baby independently after a c-section! The pain is controlled by painkillers. I could drive. I recovered faster than a lot of people I know who had natural births! Honest.
The majority of the evidence is that it is more risky to deliver a breech baby vaginally - but only you and your caregivers can decide how much of a risk that really poses in your individual case, and how much risk you want to take.

Dophus - sounds like a very forward thinking unit with experiences staff. See what you think after you have talked it over with them.

Dophus, my baby was an undiagnosed breech. Like you I had been very enthusiastic about a natural birth and was terrified about having to have a c-section. Well, basically without going into a lot of details, it was a terifying experience before the c-section. I would give anything to have known that he was breech beforehand and scheduled my c-section. There are definite risks to a vaginal breech delivery such as increased tearing, I'm sure your consultant can go over it all better than I can - or someone else may have already, I haven't read the whole thread.

I just want to add that the c-section wasn't nearly as traumatic as I had feared and in fact, I went into my office for a day of work 4 weeks out (although I was still technically on maternity leave for another 2 weeks). If I got pregnant again I would definitely have an elective.

dd1 was breech, but they managed to turn her, and she stayed turned. It's defo worth a try, but you need to relax as it can be uncomfortable.

Dophus, I'm sorry you're having to make such a big decision.

If your hospital are supportive of a trial of labour, why not give it a go? They sound pretty switched on . I'm sure they wouldn't let your delivery get to the stage where you would need a crash CS. Maybe you could agree that if things weren't progressing too well, you could call a halt and have the section before things got too hairy?

In the event of a CS, perhaps you could prepare yourself by finding out exactly what would happen to you. Maybe your midwife could show you a typical theatre? They're pretty cold, clinical places to be but maybe it wouldn't be so bad if you'd seen one in advance?

I had an elective 'too posh to push' CS and the only thing that genuinely caught my breath was the sight of the theatre. It was pretty cold and although the team were absolutely fabulous (and the experience was actually a bit of a laugh) I wish I had seen a theatre in advance. Don't forget - they have CD players so you can have music!

I'm a big believer in forward planning; I feel more empowered if I know what's going to happen.

Big hugs, I hope you get your vaginal delivery and I hope it's everything you wish for.

Thanks to all for you advice and opinions. I'm still no nearer making a decision! Tomorrow I have meetings with both the consultant and the midwives and will hopefully come to one then.

Can I insist on having them try and ECV - I wasn't clear on why the consultant didn't seem keen to try.

ds2 was an undiagnosed footling breech - my labour progressed quickly and and I gave birth vaginally with just a little gas and air. By the time the midwife realised he was breech it was too late for sc. I found the labour and birth much quicker, easier and alot less painful than ds1 who was a "normal" presentation. Went home just a few hours later.

good luck with whatever you decide - I am sure all will go well!