Will they 'let me' give birth normally to a big breech baby?

[Bekki]

I am 32 weeks pregnant with my second and my baby is currently breech. My ds was 8lbs 14oz and I am 5'1. His birth was easy and I was looking forward to a normal birth this time but I am getting progessively more worried as the weeks pass. I know that there is still plenty of time for baby to turn but I would really like to prepared for a possible c-section if my midwife insists on it. When a proffesional advises you to have a c-section is that really the only safe option or is that just their assumption that I would prefer one?

Bekki, my 3rd was breech for a while late into pregnancy and I did a lot of research into delivery options. With breeches, their is a risk of the head not delivering quickly enough after the body and getting trapped which can obviously pose major problems! Obstetricians are more inclined to do c-sections as this removes that risk. In some large hospitals, it is routine policy not to allow 1st timers to deliver breech babies vaginally!! However, if it is your second and you had an uncomplicated delivery first time, you have a bit more to bargain with if you want to go for a vaginal delivery.

Books I read which were interesting and informative concerning breech births and what is involved included "Your Birth Rights" by Pat Thomas, "Spiritual Midwifery" by Ina May Gaskin (4th edition) and "New Active Birth" by Janet Balaskas. They were more pro-natural birth, and also included information on exercises if you want to attempt turning the baby into the correct position for delivery. You could also try the following websites: www.aims.org.uk - the association for improvements in maternity services, and the website for the association of radical midwives - can't remember their address, try a search on google.

In the end, none of my research was needed as dd3 had turned by 36 weeks, and all was very straightforward at the end. Good luck.

I have recently watched a breech delivery on tv that resulted in an emergency c-section. It was the most horrific birth that I have ever seen, one doctor had to push the baby back-up whilst she was rushed to the emergency room. I have never seen a 'normal' breech birth. And I am just as terrified of a planned c-section. I don't want to put my baby at risk but I would hate to have an unnecessary section. Thanks lilymum, I will have a look at those books but hopefully this lazy baby will turn soon.

there was a big piece of research done a couple of years ago which most obs and a lot of midwives are now taking as "proof" that a c/section is the only safe way to go for breech babies. Sadly the research was somewhat flawed - in that medical things were done/procedures carried oout which should NEVER have happened in a vaginal breech (such as use of syntocinon, inductions, etc.). In the view of many people is has proved nothing, but it HAS given the "medical men" a bit of research to wave around to back up their preference for sections.

I really would advise getting in touch with ARM - the website is here ARM website - there is a mailing list that you could join (it welcomes all with an interest in midwifery - parents and professionals) where you can speak to some practicing midwives and get their views - and generally the references to the research to back them up.

Bekki - brilliant thread - thanks. I'm 33+3 and little one is still breach. I know its trying to turn but everytime I give it space it goes to sleep . I don't want a c/s but have been told I wont be allowed a choice.

Will now investigate further - thanks

Bekki - you might find this leaflet useful. It might take a minute or so to download.

here

You are 'allowed' a choice. You cannot be 'made' to do anything you do not want.I recently heard of a woman having her second baby who travelled to an independent midwife, skilled in breech birth, to deliver vaginally. I have to say that many obstetricians do not know how to deliver a breech without interfering. In that case, a C/S might be safer. It is advised though that an attempt should be made to turn the baby prior to labour which can be successful.

Forgot to say at 32 weeks the baby has plenty of time to change position to head down. My second ds was breech until 35 weeks and I was determined I was not going to have a C/S after a previous normal delivery. He swung round on his own when I was grilling burgers one night - what a sensation!

My second baby was a c.s. and i love the experience of both! Whatever happens its you and your babba good luck

Bekki - I would also venture to say as you had an easy first birth you could have a much easier time with a vaginal birth of a breech than if it were your first ever labour.... and at 32 weeks as you know - plenty of time for baby to turn !

Two 2nd timers in my antinatal group had breech babies turn at 36wks on their own so don't rule it out.

A friend had a big baby (9lb 14 oz?) first pregnancy. 2nd time they were paranoid she'd have another whopper, plus the 2nd baby was breech. She was booked in for that procedure external cephiliac version (ECV) or something anyway, ECV tries to turn the baby head down. This procedure runs a 1-2% risk of placenta abrupture and emergency C-section, is most successful if performed during labour, plus many breech babies are supposed to turn on their own during labour. But doctors wanted to do the ECV anyway around 36 weeks. If they couldn't turn the baby they were quite keen to do an elective C-section by 37 weeks.

2 days before the scheduled ECV the baby turned of her own accord. Baby was born around 40 weeks, only 8.5 lbs at birth, too, which was so fast & easy my friend barely made it to hospital in time. It still makes me mad that the docs were so insistent with their extra scans and wanting to do the ECV or an early C-section.

To turn a breech baby the tactic is supposed to be getting into any position with your butt up in the air, I guess.

Thanks Mears that leaflet was a great help. Having never heard of or witnessed a succesful vaginal delivery of a baby in the breech position I was wondering whether they still allowed them. Even if my baby does turn it has made me realise how important it is to keep an open mind on delivery options. I never realised how petrified I am of c-sections!

I can't beleive that works Zebra. I saw another program (obsessed with births at the moment) and an 8 month pregnant woman was doing handstands in the pool to turn her baby. It didn't work in her case and she had a c-section, and to be honest I can't imagine it ever working. Don't fancy that ECV much it looks very painful. Perhaps I will try some handstands after all.

Well I'm waiting with you. Little one is kicking and moving loads but not really making any signs of putting head down bottom up . I've been putting my bottom in the air but all it does is hurt my back and give me indigestion. Also I'm not sure if this method truly works? Why do babies turn?

Bekki, I faced this situation last year. DD was born by c-section and weighed 10lb 1oz. I was given the option of an attempt at ECV, but it sounded to me as though the risks outweighed possible benefits. I was also told that babies sometimes turn again after a successful ECV. I was admitted to hospital a week and a half before my due date, because the staff were afraid that if I did go into labour, the baby would be at risk (there is a risk that the baby's head presses on the umbilical cord, cutting off its blood supply). The c-section was performed a week later. I know that I can't do more than tell you about my own experience, as it's up to you to decide how to approach your baby's birth, but in my case, the c-section was straightforward and a very moving and humane experience. When I look at my beautiful 6 month old baby, I must say that the whole saga seems far away and only a detail in the story of how we got her. Good luck with everything.

My DS was breech at 34 weeks, then managed to turn himself around (most weirdest feeling ever) So there is still hope the baby will turn.

I am 34+ weeks pregnant with my second what-feels-like-an-even-bigger-baby (my first was 8lb 8oz), and was told the other day by my midwife that this baby has gone breech. So I've got my fingers crossed along with you that the baby turns, as I am terrified of a c-section, mainly because of the epidural and not being able to lift my 17 month old for 6 weeks after!

I know how you feel, theres so many down-sides to a c-section and I'm such a wimp when it comes to stitches, especially ones that I will be able to see. My dh plans to go straight back to work after the birth so it would cause major problems all round if I were to need one. Fingers crossed for everyone.

I had a C-section as my baby had been in breech position all the way through from 30 wks. I was really disappointed when first told about C section, as I wanted to experience natural labour (twisted I know ), as I thought it might be harder to bond with the baby after delivery by an operation.
But honestly the C section is nothing to be worried about - the whole thing is pain free, and happens so quickly. They put the baby to rest on me as soon as he was delivered, and while they were doing the stitches. There was no need to worry about bonding as it was just an incredible time. I was able to start breastfeeding immediately after the operation and again this meant I forgot about everything that had happened in theatre.
I was home in 4 days, driving short distances by 3 weeks, and now at 5 weeks feel completely back to "NORMAL" , well as normal as you can with a new baby.
Just wanted to share this with you so that you maybe will not be so put off by C section option. All the best.

I agree MichelleM its not as bad as I'm imagining but its just the feeling of being out of control and for such a natural experience to be completely 'medicalized'. I was extremely emotional during my labour but i had something to do which kept me from crying throughout the entire experience. (Note to everybody that crying when a midwife breaks your waters will not get a positive response). And so I'm sure that lying there whilst having a c-section I would be bawling my eyes out. There was only one woman in my ward who had had a c-section and she had to go to the toilet in a pot, that made my mind up there and then about c-sections. But saying that, she was the most 'together' person in the whole ward. Everyone else looked shocked and slightly sad, I didn't help matters by crying at every opportunity. Good news though baby has turned! Yaeeee!

I hope "he" stays turned, Bekki!

(I didn't mean that to sound negative, I've just re read it and realised it doesn't sound how I meant it too... must preview first...)

Great news Bekki - I am at the hospital for my 36 week check on Monday so I've got my fingers crossed still. He has been wriggling about a lot although I'm not sure if he's gone the whole hog - haven't felt a 'weird sensation' that other people have described when they felt their babies turn.

Bekki, I had a caesarian and they made me walk to the loo! They said it was to prevent DVT!

Glad to hear it Tissy No soft option for bedpans where I work