Elective C-Section or Natural Delivery?

[Bird4462]

Hi there,

looking for some advice - I’m currently pregnant and due in the next few weeks. At our 36 week growth scan we were told baby was head down - which was great and they shouldn’t move from here. At 36w + 6 our midwife felt them and believed they’d shifted to an oblique lie so we were referred to a scan the next day. At the scan (37w) we were told baby was fully transverse and so not compatible with a natural delivery due to the risk of cord prolapse. We decided not to attempt an ECV and booked in for an elective section at 39w +2. We were rescanned today (37w +6) and somehow the baby has again moved back to head down - I think I felt them do this yesterday. Whilst this is great news with the risk of cord prolapse being much lower we now have to decide whether to cancel the elective c section or go ahead. A part of me is nervous that if the baby has managed to move so many times this close to the end are they likely to keep moving? I don’t want to cancel the section as it was really tough to get a date scheduled at all. Does anyone have any experience of babies turning so close to the end? Thanks!

I had similar experience, was transverse before about 36 weeks, then head down, then on due date I felt DC move back sideways, I knew because when they were transverse it felt like they were tickling the inside of the top of my legs. A feeling I never had with previous pregnancy or since. But I hadn’t been told this was high risk at this stage although luckily I was booked in a few days later to discuss induction and it was picked up, transverse oblique lie. I was immediately admitted, told to stay by my bed, push the call button if I felt any movement and get on hands and knees on the bed. They got me a c section later that day. Basically it was taken very seriously. Dc now at uni so I don’t know what is current practice.

I’d hoped to avoid a c section but didn’t really mind having one as I was happy to have a baby who was ok, although even with a c section it took ages to get the baby out as cord was round a shoulder. I don’t know if this is any help to you. I think you need to discuss with midwife and obstetrician.

Babies can position themselves back & forth even at this stage: unless the head is actually engaged all bets are off!

If it's your first baby and you were not expressly advised to have an ELSC then go for a natural birth.

My 4th was a footling breech, one foot firmly planted on top my cervix (yikes) and wouldn't budge even with an ECV (which was horrendous and I regretted).
So there was no choice but to have an ELSC.

If you are planning more kids avoiding a C-section might be a better choice as there's an increased risk with every VBAC (they treat you like a ticking timebomb) so that's something to consider.

But you can only decide what feels safest & best for you. Best of luck