Crying at home alone because I'm so scared of a C/S...

[newmomma]

Hi,

I need someone to come and tell me I'm being ridiculous.

Have just had my 31 week appointment with the doctor (I'm 32 weeks tomorrow) and the baby is still head up.

I have until my 34 week appointment for the baby to move (22nd March) - at which point they will start scheduling me in for a caesarean.

I know some people would happily opt for a c/s over a 'natural' delivery - but I'm sat at home in tears because I SO wanted my water birth this time round it hurts. I enjoyed my labour (normal delivery) so much with DS1 that I've been looking forward to having DC2 and this is just spoiling how I feel about the pregnancy at the moment. I'm booked in at a lovely MLU that only has 5 beds and means I can have a water birth, aromatherapy oils, one-to-one midwife care and it all just seems like its slipping away from me.

I'm actually terrified of having a caesarean.

Please someone come and tell me it'll be alright...

It'll be okay!
There's lot of ways of getting baby to move (scrubbing floors etc), but it it doesn't work, you need to focus on the baby.

I do know how you must feel though, I'd be gutted if I was in your position.

This happened to me with my first - was planning hypnobirthing, water birth, was doing yoga etc....then found out DC was breech.

At the end of the day - it may not be what you planned but you and your baby being safe and sounds is the priority and most important thing.

Did they offer to try and turn the baby for you if it remains breech?

CSections can be amazing experiences - there are things you can do to make it more special etc.....i found the worst thing having a canula put in my had out of the whole procedure. There are plenty of threads on here where women have had positive c-section experiences.

Have a read here too www.csections.org/planning.php

Thanks for the virtual cake BessieBoots - I've eaten all the real cake in sight!

MissusRabbit The doctor said they used to offer to try and turn the baby but there have been instances of the placenta coming away and causing (as you'd imagine) severe problems, or even broken bones, so they don't do it anymore.

I asked her if there was anything I could do to shift the baby and she basically said no. That she thought all the 'floor scrubbing techniques' etc are old-wives-tales.

I know the most important thing of all is the safe arrival of my baby - but I can't help that feel worried about bonding etc - if I'm this sad about a c/s now, with 6/8 weeks to go, how I'll feel about it when the day arrives. I'll be in bits...

Check out spinning babies for tips on shifting a breech babe.

If it helps, I planned a HBAC (in water) after my first section and ended up with a repeat EMCS and it was fine - managing with a newborn and toddler was hard work but I think it would have been hard either way

Thanks for the website moaning, I'll check it out - anything is worth a try I suppose.

I was stressed enough about coping with a 16 month age gap between the toddler and newborn - and that was when I was hoping to be back on my feet after a day-or-so.

God knows how I'll manage on my own with a 6 week recovery period...

I wanted a water birth too and felt very positive and ready for birth. However, with both of mine (2nd an attempted VBAC), I just wasn't progressing beyond 2cm and so had 2 C-sections.

Being the most squeamish person I know, I was dreading it. But, it was absolutely fine. I felt nervous when they were prepping me for surgery but once you are in theatre, the baby is out within about 5-10 minutes. It is very quick and you just feel a mild tugging. Then all you can think about is your baby while they stitch you up and you get to see and touch your baby as your partner can hold them by your shoulders.

Please don't worry, everybody is so lovely to you and there are a lot of people around to tend to you and your baby. It really does feel like an occasion when your baby comes out and everyone is smiling. It is special, just a different experience. Then you get an hour or so in recovery with just you and your baby in a quiet place to bond and have a feed.

Fingers crossed your baby turns. But if not, a CS isn't a bad birth experience, just a different one.

If its any consolation, they didn't book my section until i was 37 weeks, so you still have time for baby to turn. Much more likely as its not your first baby too as they have more room to move and don;t often get settled until nearer the end.

I was offered DC to be turned but didn't go for it - prefered a planned section rather than distressed baby and emergency section.

Don't worry about bonding - i'm sure half of these stories are old wifes tales. I never had any trouble bonding, or breastfeeding, my two after having both by section.

Good luck x

It will be all right.

I was the same, did all the hypno CDs, got the oils ready and then had to have bedrest and a CS because of placenta previa. Nothing at all they can do about that one!
It's gutting isn't it? Like you have all your control taken away. I was so upset that I couldn't have "the birth of my choice" (although few do I know!)

I can tell you that my elective was very relaxed, quick and straightforward, a very positive experience indeed. Hurt like hell afterwards, but make sure you take all the drugs! If I was told I'd have to have another I would be ok with that.

Oh and I would suggest that the bonding theory is a load of baloney - it's your baby and how they get to you makes no darn difference!

Good luck and make sure you get on spinning babies as suggested above.

Thanks - it is nice to hear that people had positive experiences.

I've just been watching too many water births on TV/youtube and have so been looking forward to bending down and picking my baby up out of the water.

And the thought of not actually holding her straight away... more floods.

Think I'd better do some 'positive c/s googling'...

Ooh I've just thought of another one! Because of my previa I had to have lots of scans. He was breech at 32 weeks but was "down" by 36 (or as down as he could get with the placenta in the way). I'd spent a lot of time lying on my bed with my legs in the air and sitting on my ball, knees below pelvis.

Hi Newmomma - yes it will be alright. I really wanted a waterbirth but ended up with an emcs with dd followed by a late planned cs (after trying for vbac) with ds. Both births were still wonderful as I ended up with a beautiful baby. I really thought I would hate it but at when it came down to it I didn't give a monkey's.
I will pray the baby turns but if not you can still make a cs very relaxed. memorable and personal.

Thanks Shaz

Am reading spinning babies now...
Its very confusing - I can't understand what 'topic' I come under - they have a breech section, but its called 'Breech, bottoms up'...? Surely its the head up??

Don't have a ball yet - but think I might pop out and get one this afternoon.

You poor thing. I have had two C/S. I know everyone is different but I can honestly say I had no problems with bonding - or breastfeeding. Both babies were delivered, checked (as is normal in any delivery) then handed to me straight away for feeding.

I recovered from both very quickly. There is still plenty of time for the baby to turn. Good luck.

I had an amazing elcs, would recommend it in a heartbeat, so can't believe I'm going to advocate.... researching vaginal breech delivery?

I'm no expert, but there have been some interesting threads about it, and it may be wise to do some of your own research on the issue.

I did some research, weighed up the risks, and decided a cs was what I wanted. Either way, I think it would be wise to do your own research; there are many wise MNetters who will point you towards relevant research.

Oh, no problems bonding here either

Thanks Jackstini - from the looks of the techniques available; (lying on a plank of wood, upside down, for 20 minutes three times a day?!?) I think prayers are probably my best option.

Having said the the 'inversion' technique looks like it might be more possible than finding a plank of wood from somewhere.

Here goes...

So sorry you are going through this and I hope the baby turns because obviously you are hugely disappointed.

BUT

please don't be scared of the elcs. Disappointed, maybe, but honestly, you can have a wonderful elcs. The pain you deal with afterwards is no worse, I'm sure, than the aftermath of a vaginal birth for a day or two.

My god, what on earth is Moxibustion??
It looks like they're holding cigars against her little toes...

More googling...

you've got plenty of time to get bubs in the right position, and of course you can refuse to have a section, just make sure you can get an experienced mw who has done lots of breech births, im pretty sure it can be done these days although you would have to query it and see what other alternatives they have for you.

I would make 2 birth plans, one for a possible breech birth, and one for a possible section.
you can have baby put straight onto you if you wish and baby is well, you can even watch your baby being lifted out of you if you want to, ( i know 3 couples who've done this with sections).

i was also walking the next morning, which was under 24 hrs, i could pick up my baby with no help, and i cooked dinner the day i returned home lol, so although you may not have as quick a recovery as last time, its not as bad as some people think

do you have anyone else around to help you out etc, that would be a great help for a few weeks after birth ( either way it ends up )

better get on all fours and start rocking that baby the other way round! good luck x

Thanks tethersend and OTTMummA - the doctor didn't mention a vaginal breech delivery so I just assumed it wasn't possible.

The Spinning babies website seems to distinguish between 'bum first' and 'feet first' - I wonder if there is a possibility to give birth vaginally with one or both of those circumstances. Not sure which category I fall into until they arrange a scan in a couple of weeks.

And 2 birth plans - very good idea. I hadn't thought of that at all. Been merrily (naively) assuming birth will be the least of my problems if it goes smoothly but will have to amend my plan for sure. Thanks for that.

Reading on the sb website some more... it seems that 'footling' breech would be a better option for vaginal delivery. However it does go on to talk about death of babies with wrong or inexperienced breech birthing techniques...

Oh what a mine field...

Does anyone know if a vaginal breech delivery would be likely to cause severe damage??

Also bear in mind that about 15% of babies are breech at 32 weeks, and only 3-4% at birth. There's a good chance your baby will turn...

try also seeing acupuncturist?

lots of ideas on the web... spinning babies - ice packs, music and there is still lots of time for the baby to turn.

if you have had one normal delivery it might be an option to have a vaginal breech birth - although you'll need to find sympathetic care givers, and clearly this will not be possible in a MLU.

Hi Newmomma,

A poster called Tangle delivered her breech baby vaginally (I remember from when I thought my baby was breech).

You could maybe put out a message for her. I think she had some very sad news relating to her second pregnancy recently, so I'm not sure she's about much but she really is a most amazing poster and was very helpful to me.

Newmomma from what I can remember bum first is the safest breech to deliver vaginally, foot first less so (think this is called footling breech).

There's a m/w who specialises in breech vaginal deliveries, trying to remember her name as I know she has a website..

she is called Mary Cronk